In In the build-up to Thursday night’s 0-1 loss to the United States at the Jamaica National Stadium, Reggae Boyz head coach Mr. Steve McClaren expressed an opinion he should repeat.

His players needed to face the United States (against whom they lost by a large margin) with confidence and no fear, he said.

Success will come eventually “… as long as we keep our faith and trust and look at the opponent not with fear but as a challenge,” Mr McClaren said.

As they enter the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League against the United States in St Louis, Missouri on Monday night, the Reggae Boyz should take their coach’s words to heart.

And even as they strive to correct mistakes on Thursday night, such as giving the opposition too much space, they must keep the positives in mind.

He should not forget that if for a missed penalty, at least he would have shared the points. And that in the second half they were very close to scoring several times.

Going back even further, the memory bank should be of immense value. The Reggae Boyz should remember that although they lost 1-3 to the USA in that country in the previous Nations League cycle in March this year, they led for more than 90 minutes before falling apart in extra time of that semi-final. .

And what better memory than last November, when the Jamaicans showed tremendous mental fortitude to come back from deep to defeat the Canadians in the sleet and rain of Toronto?

Back then, the Jamaicans had lost the first leg of the tie at home 1-2. They then conceded in the first half of the second leg in Toronto to be down 1-3 at the break.

A recovery ensued that is surely among the most remarkable in Jamaican football history.

Inspired by the relentless attacks of regular centre-back Damian Lowe, the Jamaicans scored three times in the second half to win the game 3-2 and draw 4-4 on aggregate with the Canadians.

This result meant that the Reggae Boyz advanced to the next round of last season’s Concacaf Nations League by virtue of the away goals rule.

So now until Monday in Missouri as the Reggae Boyz aim for even more glory in this latest edition of the regional competition.

We agree with Mr. McClaren that “We (Jamaica) are capable of winning away from home; we are able to score away…”

Indeed, it can easily be argued that the Reggae Boyz have won far more on the road than at home lately.

Crucially, Mr McClaren reminds us that it is all part of a “process” and that he is “focused on performance” and “proud of the players for their work, the way they defended, pressed and created chances. I’m very proud of everyone.”

Should Mr McClaren and his players sustain and advance this ‘process’ and ‘performance’ to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States, they would have triumphantly completed the job they were asked to do.