Jamaica's Reggae Boyz were left with a bittersweet taste in their mouths as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the United States in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal clash at the National Stadium on Thursday.

It was a match defined by tension and missed chances, particularly for the Reggae Boyz, as Ricardo Pepi’s early fifth-minute strike proved decisive for the visitors, who left a packed crowd of 20,514 fans disappointed at the outcome.

With the win, United States, the reigning Concacaf Nations League champions will be even more confident heading into Monday's return leg in Missouri. Jamaica will be without England-born central defender Mason Holgate for that contest after he was shown a second yellow and then red in the 86th. His first caution was in the 76th.

The Boyz would have been hyped heading into Thursday's encounter on home soil, but quickly had the wind knocked out of their sails when Pepi found the net from a Christian Pulisic through ball to seize an early lead for the United States.

However, the Boyz refused to be cowed and pressed the Americans for an equalizer in what became a fiercely contested match. They had their first real chance to level things in the 12th minute, when Shamar Nicholson powered his way into the box, only to be fouled by United States' goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Demarai Gray stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Turner rose to the occasion, diving to his right to block Gray’s low shot and keep the United States advantage intact.

Still, the Boyz continued to push forward. In the 36th minute, Kasey Palmer tried his luck from the top of the box, but his shot was comfortably collected by Turner. 

Just a minute later, Dexter Lembikisa whipped in a well-placed cross for Nicholson, but his header went well wide of the mark as they continued their search for a breakthrough.

After a slow start to the second half, the Boyz upped the tempo and created multiple close chances in what was their best passage of play. Nicholson had another opportunity in the 63rd minute, but his shot was expertly charged down by Mark McKenzie, who frustrated the Jamaican faithful.

Perhaps Jamaica's best chance came shortly after, in the 65th minute, as Renaldo Cephas sent a teasing cross across the face of the United States goal. Holgate connected but had his shot cleared off the line by Tim Ream.

The resulting corner saw Leon Bailey's curling effort rattle the crossbar, and Damion Lowe’s follow-up was also blocked, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, who wanted a VAR check for a possible penalty. 

However, the appeal by both the players on the pitch and their supporters was ignored by Costa Rican referee Juan Gabriel Calderon, resulting in murmurs of frustration through the crowd. 

The game briefly paused when tensions flared between Bailey and United States defender Antonee Robinson, an incident symbolic of the competitive spirit both sides displayed throughout.

As the minutes ticked away, Jamaica kept pushing, but the United States defence stood firm. Bailey tried once more in the 73rd minute with a shot from inside the box, only to see it blocked by Ream.

A defensive error by Lowe opened the door for the Americans to threaten late on, with Brandon Vazquez finding himself with space and time in the 84th minute, but his attempt went straight to Jamaica’s custodian Andre Blake.

The final blow for the Boyz came in the 86th minute when Holgate received his second yellow card after a foul on Vazquez, reducing Steve McClaren's side to 10 men and dimming their chances for a late comeback.

Despite the narrow defeat, Jamaica will head into the second leg with hopes of overturning the deficit but will need to be much sharper and more clinical if they hope to progress to the semifinals, as getting by the United States in their backyard will by no means be easy.

Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren expressed satisfaction with his team’s crucial 2-0 victory over Nicaragua in their Concacaf Nations League Group B top-of-the-table clash on Thursday night, but he was quick to emphasize that the job is far from finished.

With a pivotal match against Honduras looming at the National Stadium on Monday, McClaren knows his team still has work to do to secure their place at the top of the group and ensure a spot in the quarterfinals, as well as a spot in the next Concacaf Gold Cup.

A 32nd-minute own goal from Nicaragua’s Josué Quijano and Romario Williams’ 69th-minute strike—his fourth on the international stage—gifted the Boyz all three points as they consolidated their lead atop the standings on seven points. They are one point ahead of Honduras (six points), with Nicaragua (four points) still within touching distance of making the top two.

Cuba (three points), Trinidad and Tobago (two points), and French Guiana (one point) complete the group, with all three in danger of being relegated from League A depending on the results of their final group encounters on Monday.

Reflecting on the win in Nicaragua, McClaren praised his players for their resilience and determination in what was a high-stakes encounter in a hostile environment on a tough artificial surface at Nicaragua’s National Stadium.

 “We knew it was going to be a tough game. It was a great atmosphere against a difficult opponent, but we defended very well on a difficult surface, which we were not used to. I've got to credit the players for the mentality because everything's against you. I'm not saying the officials also, but we had our moments. So I'm pleased with the performance, the result, and where we are at the top of the league,” McClaren said.

“But we need to do a job on Monday; we want to continue the development and the identity which we have and also to keep the spirit high heading into another tough game on Monday against Honduras,” he added.

That said, McClaren was keen to highlight both the positives and areas that need improvement.

“We wanted to build a possession game, and we didn't quite have that. I think the surface was difficult, it took us a while to get used to that, particularly in the first half. In the second half, we were a lot more composed and controlled the game better. The difference is that in each penalty area we had quality, a couple of good moves, and we scored.

“Nicaragua had opportunities, but again, we blocked well, and Andre [Blake] made a fantastic save at the end because if that had gone in, then the last five minutes would have been very tense,” the Englishman explained.

McClaren also acknowledged the significant contributions from both seasoned campaigners and newer faces in the squad. One player he singled out was new recruit Mason Holgate, who recently committed to representing Jamaica through his grandparents’ heritage.

The England-born defender, who plays his club football for West Bromwich Albion, made his debut in the match after replacing Joel Latibeaudiere in the 75th minute, and looked solid in the backline.

"Mason [Holgate] coming into the team is a big boost for us," McClaren declared.

He continued: “It's something that we really push for as well, so I got to thank the JFF board, the president, and Roy Simpson, because I've been pestering them for the last few weeks to make sure that we bring in the likes of Mason.

“He brought that quality and experience, which we needed tonight (Thursday). Without Kasey Palmer and Michail Antonio, who got injured last night, we had to deal with that. So we needed Mason tonight, and he came on and did the job.”

With the match against Honduras just days away, McClaren is ensuring his team remains grounded.

“We know what’s at stake. Beating Nicaragua was an important step, but if we don’t follow that up with a good performance against Honduras, it won’t mean much. We have to finish the job,” he ended.

After much contemplation and being torn between representing the Three Lions of England or donning the Jamaican colours, defender Mason Holgate has finally made his decision and it is the Reggae Boyz that will have his full allegiance moving forward.

The 27-year-old, who qualifies to represent Jamaica through his grandparents, has officially committed his international future to the Caribbean nation, a choice that brought a wave of excitement to fans and team members alike.

For Holgate, the decision was far from easy given his upbringing in England and years of competing in the English football system.

In a previous interview, Holgate said he was open to representing Jamaica, while in another he expressed optimism about an England call-up, noting that "everybody wants to play for England. When you're a kid, that's the ultimate.”

Yet, it is his Jamaican roots that eventually pulled at Holgate’s heartstrings, and he is now set to make his debut with the senior Reggae Boyz in their upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixture against Honduras at the National Stadium on Monday.

Though he is with the squad in Nicaragua for their Group B top-of-the-table clash in League A, Holgate will sit out that contest as the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) awaits clearance from FIFA.

Still, Holgate is brimming with excitement.

“I am really excited to be part of the team, and I can't wait to get out there for my first game,” Holgate declared.

“My grandparents on my dad’s side are Jamaican, and so much of who I am is connected to this place. There's obviously a lot to look forward to in this team, so I'm excited to be here.  Obviously, the boys made me feel quite welcome straight away, so, I've enjoyed the day or so that I've been here so far,” he added.

Holgate’s path to international football has been a unique one. He started his career at Barnsley before making the move to Everton, where he spent several seasons honing his skills in the English Premier League (EPL).

During that time, he earned caps for England at the youth level, featuring for the Under-20 and Under-21 teams. The senior call, however, never materialized, and that left him at a crossroads regarding his international future.

The tipping point for Holgate came as he watched Jamaica’s gradual improvement in recent years, particularly where the make-up of the team is concerned in their push for World Cup qualification.

Seeing the likes of former Everton teammate Demarai Gray, West Ham United’s Michail Antonio, Leicester City’s Bobby Reid, and others demonstrate their unflinching desire to bring success to Jamaica’s football made it clear to Holgate that he could play a pivotal role in helping the Reggae Boyz reach the next level.

“I got on really well with Dimmy [Gray], and since we both left Everton, obviously he moved to Saudi Arabia, so I haven’t seen him for a year or so now. But we're good friends; we speak all the time, so I was really looking forward to seeing him, and when I got here and saw him, I was buzzing,” Holgate shared.

“But, yeah, I've been in the Premier League and the Championship going on League One for 10 years, so quite a lot of the boys, I know from just playing against and stuff like that. So it's been quite easy for me to come in because I've played against and knew quite a lot of them before,” the West Bromwich Albion loanee stated.

Holgate’s experience at the highest level of English football will undoubtedly be a boost to Jamaica’s defensive ranks, and his versatility across the backline makes him a valuable asset as Englishman Steve McClaren looks to fortify his squad with a 2026 FIFA World Cup appearance in mind.

“I think it's just a very exciting time to be part of the team. Obviously, with the new manager who's done so much before in football, and also, if you look at the squad, it gets better and it seems to look stronger every camp. We all have the goal of going to the World Cup, and that's what I want to do, and that's why I am here, and I believe that I can help get us to that point,” Holgate ended.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks midfielder Tyreek Magee could be set for his first appearance for the Reggae Boyz since November 2023 as he selected in the squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Nicaragua away and Honduras at home on October 10 and 14, respectively.

The 25-year-old former Jamaica College star has scored three goals in 13 appearances so far this season for the Switchbacks in the USL Championship and is in the Reggae Boyz squad for the first time since the first leg of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Canada which the Reggae Boyz lost 2-1.

He has made 10 appearances for the Reggae Boyz since his debut in 2019.

“I’ve always looked for a number 10, creative player out of the box, somebody who can change games and I asked Merron (Gordon) and he recommended Tyreek (Magee),” Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McLaren said at the squad announcement press conference held at the JFF headquarters in Kingston on Friday.

“I had a little loom at him and I liked him. This boy has ability, skill, can change a game and I said yeah, we’ll give him a chance. That’s what I aim to do,” he added.

Also returning to the Reggae Boyz squad for the upcoming games are New York City FC right back Tayvon Gray, Seattle Sounders defender Jon Bell and Indy Eleven forward Romario Williams.

Former England Under-21 defender Mason Holgate is a newcomer to the squad, though his participation in the games is yet to be determined.

“We’ve been chasing him since before I came in. I think, through the intervention of the President especially, trying to push through players with heritage wanting passports, I think we’re finally very, very close to getting a passport for him. He just needs clearance from FIFA,” McLaren said.

“He might not qualify for the first gams but we think by the second game he will definitely be available so I decided to bring him in and integrate him quickly,” he added.

Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey misses out on a place in the squad after picking up an adductor injury against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Spartak Moscow striker Shamar Nicholson has also been left out after telling coach McLaren he wasn’t happy with his fitness.

“After the last camp, we had some discussions. He never felt happy about his form and his condition,” McLaren said regarding Nicholson.

“He expressed that he felt he was way behind in terms of not having a pre-season and he wants to build his fitness up,” he added.

Others from the last camp that were left out included Michael Hector, Jamal Lowe, Adrian Reid Jr and Jonathan Russell.

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Shaquan Davis (Mount Pleasant FA), Jahmali Waite (El Paso Locomotive)

Defenders: Dexter Lembikisa (Yverdon-Sport), Di’Shon Bernard (Sheffield Wednesday), Greg Leigh (Oxford United), Damion Lowe (Al-Okhdood), Jon Bell (Seattle Sounders), Richard King (Cavalier SC), Tayvon Gray (NYCFC), Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), Mason Holgate (West Brom)

Midfielders: Kasey Palmer (Hull City), Karoy Anderson (Charlton Athletic), Bobby Reid (Leicester City), Joel Latibeaudiere (Coventry City), Tyreek Magee (Colorado Springs Switchbacks)

Forwards: Renaldo Cephas (Ankaragucu), Norman Campbell (Randers FC), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Demarai Gray (Al-Ettifaq), Kaheim Dixon (Charlton Athletic), Romario Williams (Indy Eleven)

Sheffield United’s loan swoop for Mason Holgate has collapsed after Everton’s last-minute demand for a bigger fee.

The Toffees wanted the Blades to pay £250,000 after it was agreed the defender’s loan at Southampton would be cancelled and he would move to Bramall Lane, the PA news agency understands.

United had also agreed to cover a portion of the 27-year-old’s wages but fourth-bottom Everton wanted a late payment as the Blades are Premier League relegation rivals.

It saw the deal fall through – despite Holgate travelling to Yorkshire for a medical – and it remains to be seen if the move can be resurrected.

He remains at St Mary’s, although Southampton are open to cancelling his loan this month.

Holgate has only made six appearances for the Saints this season and has not featured in the Sky Bet Championship since October, with Russell Martin’s side on a record-equalling 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Blades boss Chris Wilder revealed his frustrations at failing to make any further additions before they host West Ham on Sunday.

They have only signed Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Villarreal in their battle against relegation, with the club bottom on just nine points.

Wilder says he would not have asked his board for reinforcements if he thought there was no chance of avoiding the drop.

“Hopefully a couple more before the window shuts will make us stronger,” Wilder said. “We will be in a better place when the window shuts.

“We are quite frustrated because we felt we could have got them in for the weekend, the deadline was 12pm today but we have worked very hard in identifying a couple of potential signings coming in before next week.

“I always knew it wasn’t going to be a huge window in terms of big numbers coming in. Two or three was the targeted number and I believe we will reach the targets.

“I wouldn’t have asked the club to make those decisions if I didn’t think there was any fight left in us.

“There is definitely a huge fight left in myself and I have seen that in the players. If I didn’t think that I would say to the board, ‘Keep your powder dry and we’ll plan for another season in a different division’.

“That might still happen but it won’t be through a lack of fight and commitment.”

Blades skipper Anel Ahmedhodzic has been linked with a move to Napoli, but Wilder says there has been no bid.

“I have spoken to Anel about it, he is a grounded individual and he loves playing for Sheffield United,” he said. “I don’t think speculation is a bad thing.

“You’d rather be talked about than not talked about. It is speculation, I have not been told from above that there is a potential deal in the offing, it is noise.”