What to expect from the USMNT in Nations League semifinal

But the USMNT isn't looking its best, either. Striker Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and midfielder Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo) pulled out of this match because of injuries. 

Meanwhile, USMNT captain Tyler Adams is expected to return from his year-long ACL injury, but he is not at full fitness and isn't likely to play a full 90 minutes.

The USMNT's Italian contingent: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Yunus Musah (AC Milan) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) have lit up Italy's Serie A this season with their energy and verve. All three struggled in the shadows at previous clubs and appear to have found their way in Italy.

"I think they respect me here," Pulisic said of Italy, per goal.com. "I think in general, in Europe, the perception of Americans has come a long way from where I started."

It's been a long time since Pulisic, Musah and McKennie have come together for the USMNT. The match against Jamaica is an excellent opportunity for them to show coach Gregg Berhalter how far they've come.

Record-setting play: The Nations League is a relatively new competition, having been introduced in 2018 to give CONCACAF's members more opportunities to play teams near their levels.

The Nations League ensures that teams such as Guadeloupe and Grenada face each other instead of playing, say, the more powerful USMNT or Mexico. So, small teams can improve over time and bigger teams can test themselves against reliably strong opposition. 

UEFA, Europe's continental soccer authority, set up a similar competition to achieve the same goals.

The USMNT has won the first two iterations of the Nations League. If it defeats Jamaica on Thursday in Arlington, Texas, it will move on to its third consecutive final. 

If it wins that final, it will become the only team on the planet to rack up three consecutive Nations League trophies.