US thump Reggae Girlz 6-0
Jamaica's senior women's football team will have to wait at least until after their third place play off game with Panama to book their spot in next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in France.
This is because they were beaten 6-0 by World Champions United States of America, who have qualified, in their semi-final game of the CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifiers in Frisco, Texas last night.
The Reggae Girlz had a difficult first half as they went behind as early as the second minute when forward Tobin Heath scored a rebound off midfielder Lindsey Horan's shot which was punched away by goalkeeper Syndey Schneider.
The score was doubled in minute 15 when veteran striker Megan Rapinoe pounced. She received a brilliant driven diagonal ball from Abby Dahlkemper down the left side of the US attack, took it down on her chest then sprinted by Jamaica defenders Allyson Swaby and Dominique Bond-Flasza. She then made her way into the 18 yard box and drilled the ball into the roof of Schneider's net.
Jamaica struggled for the rest of the half and goals from Julie Ertz (21st minute), Heath (29th), and Morgan (33) meant they ended the half 5-0 down and registered no shots in that period, while the US had eight of their 15 on target.
The second half had a much better defensive performance from the Reggae Girlz, especially Schneider, who was forced into a number of saves to keep the score as low as it remained. However, her goal was breached once more when Morgan scored a penalty in the 83rd minute to see out the game 6-0.
Left back Lauren Silver admitted that the team could have played better in the first half, but credited her team for a better performance in the second half. She said she is confident of a better showing against Panama, who lost the earlier game to Canada, who have also qualified, 6-0.
"Going into the next game, that's all we have to focus on. We just played this game and now it's about being professional and moving unto the next game and mentally prepping for that - shutting this door and opening the next one, and getting physically and mentally ready for Panama," she said.