Reggae Girlz lose 4-0 to USA
Published:Monday | June 14, 2021 | 12:28 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer -
Jamaica's Reggae Girlz were soundly beaten 4-0 by world champions the United States in their international friendly match at the BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday night.
Goals from Carli Lloyd, Lindsey Horan, Margaret Purce, and Alex Morgan saw the host to a comfortable victory over their Caribbean opponent.
The Girlz were off to the worst possible start, as 25 seconds into the contest, Lloyd was left unmarked at the backpost to poke the ball past Sydney Schneider for the opening goal.
The American veteran, Lloyd, hit the bar again minutes later. However, it was Horan who deepened the Girlz's woes six minutes later from the penalty spot when Christen Press was brought down by Jamaica captain Konya Plummer in the area, and Horan converted the resulting spot kick to make it 2-0.
The Jamaicans came to life briefly afterwards but the Americans were always in control and continued to create openings.
In the 22nd minute, Purce stole in behind the Girlz's defence and slotted past Schneider for the third goal.
Purce nearly added a fourth a minute before halftime, but her header crashed off the bar, and the follow-up by Lloyd was blasted into Schneider's face.
After the break, the US took their foot off the gas and were not as efficient or penetrative as in the first half.
However, in the 64th minute, Press put a sitter over the bar from six yards, from a right sided cross.
The home team increased the tempo towards the end and after a few close misses, Morgan redirected a header past Schneider in stoppage time for the fourth goal.
The match was the second of two friendlies played in the US for the Reggae Girlz, who defeated Nigeria 1-0 on Thursday.