The US national team's participation in Brazil 2014 is already assured, though coach Jurgen Klinsmann has repeatedly urged his squad to wrap up the Hex with the same consistency and focus they've shown for most of the year.
Meanwhile, winless Jamaica are hoping that fortune smiles in their direction as they seek an unlikely leap past Panama and Mexico into the fourth-place playoff slot.
HISTORY
The US have rarely been troubled by their Caribbean counterparts over the years, as proven by their 12-1-8 all-time record against the Reggae Boyz. But their three meetings during the current qualifying cycle have been intriguingly taut and relatively well-balanced.
Jamaica stunned the Yanks in a 2-1 comeback win in their first semifinal round meeting at the Jamaica National Stadium on Sept. 7, 2012, a gut-check moment for Klinsmann and his men.
The USMNT took revenge with a 1-0 win in the return match at Columbus Crew Stadium four days later (pictured at right), then dealt the Jamaicans' Hex hopes a devastating blow in Kingston with some comeback magic of their own on June 7, where Brad Evans netted an injury-time winner in a 2-1 victory.
USA vs. Jamaica
Friday, Oct. 11, 2013; 6:30 pm ET
Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan.
