Had a look at the match once again -

[Karl]

There is much to be positive about...and much to work on. In my mind it is just as I saw it last night - passing and moving, moving and passing - a willingness to most often not holding the ball but passing and moving (into good support position).

Tappa cannot be blamed for the on-the-field play displayed...save to say/question whether or not that display is a result of not enforcing in training preparation the need to 'first' pass (even when there is no pressure on the passer) immediate on receipt of the ball.

It is simple - that building of the repeat reflex of passing immediate on receipt of the ball is built by practice/repeat use of that memory and muscle response!

That 1st half display by the USA...was good example of passing and moving, moving and passing! It led to the 80:20 ball possession stats, 3 shots hitting the 'woodwork'...and complete dominance!

It would not be poor teaching example having our Reggae Boyz watch that 1st half tape from the perspective of "gents do as the USA did on passing and moving, moving and passing"!

Besides the above only the matter of challenging for high ball...and passing them off (as Mosiah said Ryan Johnson was the best of our attackers on that)...as coach I would not complicate by giving a 'bag of pointers' outside of additional work on 'set pieces'. This collection of individuals (need faster wide left defenders equal in skill to *Jermaine Taylor or better).

*Jermaine did not do too well and I think it was only his pace that made that 'not too well'. It was no accident that so many of the USA attacks came down their right!!!

[USAF]

Karl, the strategy imployed had your team on your heels for the entire first half and fighting to get back in the game, in the second half, and struggling to get the equaliser for about half of that half.
I have been watching Jamaica play since the '70s, and they are a traditionally slow starting team, especially in away matches, so playing defensively puts additional pressure on the team to get their game going.
Jamaica's success depends on them developing a rhythm and they need to get into that rhythm ASAP, especially when they don't have a true creative midfielder, who can dictate the pace and tempo of the team.
The challenge for Whitmore is finding that creative midfielder and implementing a game plan that helps them get into their rhythm earlier into game, especially when playing away.

[Jawge]

They could have scored in that game without a creative mid. It's just that the basics such as passing was killing the Rboyz. I see people with the ball at their feet trying to think. Move the ball around switch point of attack and release using your speed. the rboyz amazes me. In the Gc they would make nearly 300 passes, then another day some can't even control the ball.

Unpredictable, you just never know what you will get. You should thank God they weren' t just coming off a tour in Brasil (training with the likes of Neymar). then they would put their Brasil game face on. It's a mixed bag you never know what you will get. Fortunately for Klinsy, he get got the team he wanted to see.

[USAF]

C'mon Jawge, you know how important it is to have that creative mid....Aren't you a Tappa man and a big sutdent and supporter of Brazillian football??? What would have happened if Brazil didn't have Rivaldo in '02 or Jamaica didn't have Whitmore '98??? The reason why there were players with the ball "trying to think" is because they don't have the creativity and ability to make that effective pass that they see, it is not natural and effortless for them.
You said they could have scored without a creative mid, BUT imagine what could have happened if you had that player to supply those telling passes to your forwards and dictating the pace and tempo of the team and the game.

[Jawge]

Okay right now Binho can play that role ( seeing that the young Neymar is there with speed) if Dinho continues to slip in form.
That said Ja doesn't have another Tappa (I suspect the island does but lack resources to scout) right now. In this particular game it was possible to get a goal without a creative mid. Against stronger opponent that shows up to play different story.