USA vs. Jamaica: Wake-Up Call Will Propel Americans vs. Jamaicans

One surprising loss against Jamaica, and the U.S. men's soccer team is suddenly in jeopardy of missing next year's regional finals for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Americans lost to Jamaica on Friday 2-1, despite Clint Dempsey scoring the first goal of the match 35 seconds in.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said it had to do with the Americans' mentality more than anything.

Klinsmann said after the match, according to AFP, via FIFA.com:

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A couple of things went wrong. Having that lead maybe gave players the feeling they can play the complicated way. I told them at half-time this is not the way it works. You've got to keep things simple on the field.

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The U.S. has a better team than Jamaica, but a lapse in judgement can change everything. That's what happened for the Americans on Friday. They lost sight of simply making crisp passes and playing sound soccer. They took the early lead for granted.

There's also the fact that they will get goalie Tim Howard back. He went down eight minutes into the second half on Friday after colliding with Jamaica's Luton Shelton. The U.S. will also get defenders Steve Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra back.

There is concern about the midfield with Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley (out due to injury), and that's a legitimate concern; the Americans were outshot 9-7 on Friday.

That shouldn't be an excuse for an American squad that beat Mexico, 1-0, despite having inexperienced players in the lineup. This has more to do with the Americans' game plan and mental game than the midfield.

The U.S. needs to play sound soccer without trying to do too much. If their side does that, it stands a good chance of avenging its loss against Jamaica.

The wake-up call on Friday will see the Americans patch the holes and come away with the victory on Tuesday.