Update: Jamaica to allow 5,000 vaccinated fans for USMNT World Cup qualifier

The United States Men’s National Team will have to re-learn how to play in the atmosphere of silence during World Cup qualifying. Today, the Jamaican Football Federation announced that, due to Covid restrictions the Jamaican government continues to have over the country, the November 16th World Cup qualifier set to take place at Independence Park in Kingston will proceed without fans in the stands.

This is a huge blow to Jamaica, who had hoped to have 50% capacity for this match in an effort to boost the home field advantage that the stadium affectionately known as “The Office” normally has for big matches. So far during World Cup qualifying, Jamaica has not been allowed to have fans at any of their home matches. They also played Mexico at Estadio Azteca behind closed doors, that being the result of sanctions levied against Mexico for homophobic chants during matches over the summer.

This is also sad news to scores of American fans who had hoped to make the trip to see their team play in a crucial qualifier. The USMNT play Mexico at home in Cincinnati 4 days before they travel to Kingston to play Jamaica, a team they beat earlier this month in Austin. Now, those fans will have to make alternate plans to watch the match. Still, this could be a huge boost to the USMNT in that they can concentrate on getting 3 points at one of the more difficult venues to play in all of Concacaf.

Hit the comments to discuss the USMNT playing behind closed doors in Jamaica.

UPDATE: The Jamaican government may have reversed course, with reports that 5,000 fans will be allowed into The Office for the match.