U.S. Soccer Selects Austin as Host for USA-Jamaica World Cup Qualifier

CHICAGO (July 22, 2021) – For the U.S. Men’s National Team’s second home match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, U.S. Soccer has selected Austin as the host of USA-Jamaica. Kickoff on Oct. 7 at Q2 Stadium for the first qualifier in the state of Texas is set for 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET), and the match will be broadcast live on the ESPN and Univision family of networks.

 

Due to the anticipated high demand, U.S. Soccer will once again be utilizing a weighted random draw for tickets. Information on the process is available here.

 

“What’s been happening in Austin the last couple years is extraordinary,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “It’s amazing the way the city has embraced the sport, the world-class facilities they have developed, and most importantly for us the atmosphere the fans create in the stadium. That’s precisely the type of environment we need for our home World Cup Qualifiers, and I know it’s something our players value and appreciate.”

 

 

AGAINST JAMAICA

The USA and Jamaica have tussled for more than 30 years, and the encounter in Austin marking the 15^th meeting in World Cup Qualifying, The USMNT holds a 7-1-6 record in those contests and a 17-3-8 advantage overall.

 

The nations will also meet in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinal on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

 

This meeting falls on the 20^th anniversary of the historic win against the Reggae Boyz that sent the United States to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, in which they reached the quarterfinal for the first time in 72 years. Playing on Oct. 7, 2001, and as the first team to represent the United States following the September 11 attacks, a pair of goals by Joe-Max Moore lifted the USMNT to a 2-1 victory.

 

FIRST OF THREE IN OCTOBER

The match against Jamaica is part of the ‘triple date’ in World Cup Qualifying during which the U.S. will play three matches in seven days. Following the game in Austin, the USMNT travels to face Panama on Oct. 10 in Panama City. Three days later, the USA will host Costa Rica at a site to be determined.

 

Under the new qualifying format, a total of eight teams – increased from six in previous cycles - will compete in the Final Round, with the top three teams advancing to Qatar ’22. The fourth-place team will participate in an Intercontinental playoff for the last spot.

 

The 10 matches in the Final Round had typically been played during the course of 18 months. Due to schedule changes related to the global pandemic and the new format, each team will play 14 matched in seven-month period.