International Match Thread: Nagbe vs. Powell [4:00]

Darington Nagbe and the United States Men’s National Team are back in action today after a week’s rest and this time they are facing off against Jamaica’s Alvas Powell and the Reggae Boyz in the second match of Bruce Arena’s second stint in charge of the US.

Arena, for his part, has said that he will be using a different midfield than the one that we saw against Serbia, presumably meaning that Nagbe will not get his second-ever start for the USMNT after playing 87 minutes last Friday.

That does not guarantee that we will not see Nagbe on the pitch, of course. The Timbers’ winger could still find his way into Arena’s plans, lining up in a different position or simply making a substitute appearance for his latest cap with the Nats. Of the possibilities, it seems more likely that Nagbe will come on late in the match to drive the US’s counter attack or look to facilitate possession as he is still in preseason shape despite the USMNT’s long January camp.

At the other end of the pitch, we already know that Alvas Powell will get the start for the Reggae Boyz, slotting in to the back line as a center back in Jamaica’s 5-3-2.

Also worth keeping an eye on is former Timber Jorge Villafana who received generally positive reviews in his appearance against Serbia — his first cap with the US. Villafana came on as a substitute last week, but could be pushing for a start if Arena was as impressed as Timbers fans want him to be.

Match Information

Watch it on: FOX Sports 1, UniMas

When: Friday, February 3rd at 4:00 p.m. PT

Where: Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, TN

United States: No. 28 on the FIFA Rankings

Jamaica: No. 77 on the FIFA Rankings