U.S. Women`s National Team head coach Emma Hayes reaches her one-year anniversary in the role as the squad concludes the international window with a match against Jamaica on Tuesday.
Originally planned as a two-game series versus China, a change in opponent brings back a familiar Concacaf rival, the Reggae Girlz. The Stars and Stripes will face Jamaica at Energizer Park in St. Louis. The United States is coming off a 3-0 victory over China on Saturday, while Jamaica`s April window saw them suffer two defeats against regional foes Mexico.
Hayes and her team are aiming for a second consecutive shutout after splitting their April series against Brazil with a 2-0 win and a 2-1 loss. With a win against China secured to kick off the summer, the coaching staff continues to evaluate the player pool, and new players are still earning their first senior national team appearances. Midfielder Lo`eau LaBonta debuted at age 32 on Saturday, while defender Kerry Abello and goalkeeper Claudia Dickey could potentially earn their first caps on Tuesday evening.
Jamaica`s challenging April period resulted in them conceding seven goals over two losses to Mexico. Head coach Hubert Busby Jr. will be without key players, including top striker Bunny Shaw, midfielder Drew Spence, and veteran goalkeeper Rebeca Spencer. The manager has not provided a timeline for Shaw`s return as she continues her recovery from a foot injury.
How to Watch USWNT vs. Jamaica
- Date: Tuesday, June 3
- Time: 8 p.m ET
- Location: Energizer Park — St. Louis, Mo.
- TV: TNT
- Live stream: Max
Last Meeting
Tuesday`s match will be the sixth encounter all-time between the two nations. The USWNT has won all five previous fixtures against the Reggae Girlz. Most recently, the sides met during the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, which served as a qualifier for the 2023 FIFA Women`s World Cup. The U.S. national team dominated that match, winning 5-0 with goals scored by Sophia Wilson, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, and Trinity Rodman.
What USWNT are Saying
The group was tested in the opening five minutes against China but eventually found the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark. The USWNT won convincingly, 3-0, showing more instances of in-game awareness and quicker decision-making when facing a higher-pressing China side compared to a more structured, defensive formation.
However, as a high-performance unit, some players were already demanding more of themselves in post-game interviews. For coach Hayes, this reflects the group`s tactical evolution. The more they encounter scenarios requiring them to find solutions, the better they become.
“When you`re trying to put together so many new players, as a coach, you want to make sure that every time you`re with them, you`re making less and less tactical corrections, and this week, we`ve made less than we`ve ever had to make,” Hayes said after the China match. “Because Avery Patterson knows where to be [on] both sides of the ball. So does Lily [Yohannes], so does Michelle Cooper, so that in return, means the group as a whole can go up higher level, because they`re getting better at their understanding of that.”
She added, “But I`m asking them to deliver a performance with a level of patience, so, I`m not going to criticize them for that. I feel like tactically, we`ve gone up another level. I really feel that way. I feel that there`s so many more players that are so much more in control that we`re able to do more.”
What Jamaica are Saying
As Jamaica builds towards the next World Cup cycle, head coach Hubert Busby Jr. is in a similar position, aiming to evaluate the talent pool while several experienced players are unavailable for this window. The program has experienced significant ups and downs as it tries to capitalize on the success of its two previous World Cup appearances.
A two-game losing streak against Mexico caused some concern among the island`s loyal supporters, but Busby insists the group is moving in the right direction with upcoming fixtures against Concacaf rivals and a game in England against the Lionesses at the end of the month.
“As we kind of moved from that game into this one, we looked at a couple of things, and some different players into different positions, you know, and we had conversations about players and looking to try things,” he said after announcing the Reggae Girlz roster. “It`s what these games are about. We know we have our strengths, we have our deficiencies, but we have to be able to utilize these games. I know everyone wants to win every single match. That`s what we`re here for … but these games are for us to be able to experiment and try things. We can`t do them in World Cup qualifiers, right? So we have to be able to have this full picture of what it is.”
He continued, “There`s all these little puzzle pieces that we have to be able to little jigsaw pieces that we have to be able to put together, that allows for us to seal this finished product. And again, it`s not, we`re not anywhere close to where it should be, yet, I think we`re on the process of getting done … It is always about progression. Even in that progression, it might not seem like it, because the results might not show, but we take the information and we extract it, and we have a better understanding of where we are, and we can put it in our toolbox, and we can file it away.”
Predicted Lineups
USWNT: Claudia Dickey; Emily Fox, Tara McKeown, Emily Sams, Kerry Abello; Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, Lindsey Heaps; Catatrina Macario, Ally Sentnor, Alyssa Thompson
Jamaica: Sydney Schneider; Naya Cardoza, Chantelle Swaby, Allyson Swaby, Konya Plummer; Deneisha Blackwood, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Amelia Van Zanten, Atlanta Primus; Tiffany Cameron, Jody Brown
Player to Watch
Claire Hutton, USWNT: The deep-lying midfielder has been involved in USWNT camps throughout 2025 and has already made two appearances. The 19-year-old Kansas City Current player has been a crucial component in her club`s midfield, functioning as both a collaborator and disruptor, while contributing two assists and creating five chances. She is developing good chemistry with Lily Yohannes in their matches this year, and the U.S. coaching staff may want to see more game time for the two teenagers together.
Prediction
The USWNT prepared for an organized defensive setup against China but encountered a different challenge. They might be overly prepared for a Jamaica side that typically employs a mid to low block. This match could turn into another uneven contest, especially with so many of Jamaica`s key players unavailable.
Prediction: USWNT 3, Jamaica 0
