CHESTER — All of the Union’s players are back from international duty this week and physically healthy. It would be understandable if they’re in different emotional places.

Danley Jean Jacques was part of the Haiti squad that qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, though the Union midfielder was suspended for Tuesday’s win over Nicaragua in Curacao.

Andre Blake was in goal as Jamaica drew with Trinidad and Tobago, then Curacao. The team missed a chance to directly reach the World Cup in what was seen as an expected though pressure-laden opportunity, the road eased by regional co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States not needing to qualify. Jamaica now has to navigate a six-team tournament in the spring for one of two remaining spots.

That’s not to mention what happened in town while they were away, with sporting director Ernst Tanner placed on administrative leave while MLS reopens an investigation into allegations of racist and misogynistic comments.

That’s a lot to corral and focus in on the task of New York City FC in Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinals. But Bradley Carnell is confident that his team is doing that.

“The players have been amazing,” Carnell said Friday. “Over the last three weeks, 20 days, whatever it’s been, they have been incredible. And then obviously we were informed about the situation, but for the players on the ground and the day-to-day organizational operations, we haven’t skipped a beat.”

Carnell opened his press conference Friday with a statement on Tanner, saying that, “On a professional level, I want to say that I’ve never personally experienced anything like what’s been reported in my time with Ernst, but as an organization, we fully recognize the seriousness of the situation.”

He’s leaned on veteran leaders to push the group through as close to business as usual.

Carnell talked to all of his players coming back from international duty to reintegrate them into the mentality of the group. Blake, the team’s on-field captain, wasn’t the problem for Jamaica, allowing one goal in two games. But as captain of the national team, he carries a heavy weight from the failure to qualify.

Coach Steve McClaren, the former England boss, stepped down this week, leaving the nation needing new leadership before March. Jamaica can still make it to the World Cup, but it will take two wins in the inter-confederation tournament in Mexico. Jamaica takes on Oceania representative New Caledonia on March 26 in Guadalajara. The winner plays the Democratic Republic of the Congo five days later, with the winner to the World Cup finals.

Blake felt compelled to take to Instagram Thursday night to address “the people of Jamaica” with an apology and a call to action.

“Thank you, the support was unreal we couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he wrote. “As the leader of this group we have failed to deliver and missed out on a massive opportunity to bring so much joy to the people of our nation and for that I am really sorry.”

Blake celebrated his 35th birthday Friday, his teammates helping mark the occasion.

“I think Dre carried Jamaica on his back,” Carnell said. “He made some crucial saves. He kept them in the game. He made big, big plays. It’s his birthday today, so we’re celebrating his birthday and making sure he has all the mojo around him and the good feeling of being back around our group. I think he’s excited to hopefully have a good experience on Sunday and lead his team to a win.”

Sunday’s game (7:30, AppleTV+) will be 22 days since the Union last played, defeating Chicago, 3-0, in Game 2 to clinch their best-of-3 series.

The team has trained through the three-week break, an effort that included a 70-minute scrimmage last weekend. The club had tried to get another team in, but instead broke up into two teams for a full-field scrimmage, with crowd noise and two sets of jerseys. Union II players filled in where needed.

“The train is moving,” Carnell said, “and the players are engaged and excited about the prospect of playing on Sunday.”