Jamaica Hold USA to 1-1 Tie

Reggae Boyz put their CONCACAF rivals USA to the test as both teams played to an exciting 1-1 draw in a friendly international at the SAS Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina.

The Boyz struck in the fourth minute courtesy of a Jermaine Hue's pass to Teofore Bennett who outpaced the USA defenders and calmly slotted home pass Tony Meola in goal. Team immediately USA stepped up the pace with some positive runs forward only to be kept at bay by a solid looking Reggae Boyz defense.

The USA finally broke through in the 25th minute as Ben Olsen collected a quick Landon Donovan's pass in the goal area and a struck a low shot under the an out stretched Ricketts into the net.The Boyz countered well at times and in the 31st minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, showed good pace and skill down right side, twisting Chris Albright around before crossing to Ryan Johnson in the centre, but the latter's shot was blocked.

Early in the second half, Donovan Ricketts pulled off a spectacular one-handed save, tipping Chris Albright's close-range header over the cross bar. The game seemed to lose momentum as both teams made substitutions midway in the half. USA pressed for the winner late in the game but the Reggae Boyz maintained their composure for a well deserved 1-1 draw. The U.S. is now 9-0-8 against Jamaica.

TEAMS: Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Claude Davis (Demar Stewart 30th), Damion Stewart, Omar Daley, Garfield Reid, Khari Stephenson (Oneil Thompson 71st), Jermaine Hue, Jason Morrison, (Dane Richards 60th) Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Fabian Dawkins 61st), Ryan Johnson Jermaine Johnson 71st), Teofore Bennett (Newton Sterling 61st).Subs not used: S Sawyers,Booked: Daley (34th)USA - Tony Meola, Frankie Hejduk, Chris Albright, Landon Donovan, Pat Noonan (John O'Brien 67th), Ben Olsen, Josh Wolff (Eddie Johnson 45th), Steve Ralston (Clint Demsey 55th), Taylor Twellman (Brian Ching 45th), Eddie Pope, Pablo Matsroeni.Subs not used: M Reis, N Garcia, K Zavagnin,Booked: Pope (20th) ...Read more in the forum