Andre Blake – 6

Despite conceding a goal and thus denied a clean sheet in this one, Blake didn’t work too much. He spent more time trying out his kicking rather than replicating some of his more familiar match-saving saves. A stand out moment was his body feint to displace his onrushing presser with the ball at his feet.

Kemar Lawrence – 6

Taxi only lasted 45 minutes before he was seemingly forced off through a niggle he couldn’t recover from towards the end of the first half. The first half was easily the worst of the two halves and Lawrence, like most of the team, could not spark anything for Jamaica. It was the most he could do to help keep USA at bay – he did do his job on the defensive side well enough.

Damion Lowe – 7

A man in the trenches. Jamaica’s backline always looks its most solid with Lowe anchoring it, and he seems to know. Despite looking like he was ailing for majority of the game as a result of hard tackles and awkward landings, he soldiered on. He did so to good effect; squaring up every attacker and dominating his physical battles. He rose highest to put the ball into the net for what should have been the winner in the 83rd minute had it not been for a phantom call by the referee. 

Liam Moore – 6

He partnered Lowe well and was often the man winning anything his fellow centre back missed or didn’t deal with. They played many passes between them and were typically well organised with the lone exception being when they were ripped apart by one Timothy Weah around 10 minutes in. For the rest of the time, he was tidy and effective without necessarily standing out.

Javain Brown – 6 

He looked like a young man making his first start in this qualifying campaign. Between those jitters and the lack of intensity in the first half from the team as a whole, Brown was lucky the first change came on the other side. Like the rest of the team his improvement really amounted to doing his job effectively, in his case it was staying with his runner and giving away little in the defensive third.

Je-Vaughn Watson – 5

That Watson could play 60+ minutes in a game where he seemed incapable of running indicates how poorly the team played in the first half. The fact that he didn’t stand out as a clear liability until the second 45 is proof of the team’s resurgence. His lack of mobility aside, he at least avoided causing too much damage during his time on the pitch. 

Devon Williams – 7

One of the better performers on the day, he was his usual neat and tidy self in possession and effective without it. When the midfield was able to take the upper hand, it was usually through him. His two best moments were getting the assist for Jamaica’s goal and potentially preventing one by racing back and putting in a clean last man challenge to prevent a break. 

Bobby Reid – 5

Not his best performance in a gold jersey; his link play was hit or miss, his timing was off and he had almost zero end product. He connected well on occasion with Leon Bailey in particular, but then was just as likely to misplace a pass or try a run at inopportune times. He skied a sitter in the 52nd minute that would’ve given Jamaica the all-important lead. 

Lamar Walker – 5

Walker deserved to be involved, he’s been in good form for his club but his chances in the national setup were limited. He got the start in this one but did not make full use of the opportunity. He often seemed to be on a different wavelength from the rest of his teammates and so was out of sync with much of the play around him. He didn’t have too many bright moments despite doing his best to get involved where he could.

Leon Bailey – 7

Easily the second best performer on the day, Bailey was buzzing around on either wing combining especially well with his forward partners. There were many nearly moments throughout the game, but it ultimately didn’t lead to a tangible result (neither goal nor assist). It was enough to promise that his continued inclusion in the squad once fit could reap dividends in the next set of games in 2022.

Michail Antonio – 8

The standout player in this international window. He secured his first goal for Jamaica in the last game and repeated the trick in this one with a worldie! Easily one of the best goals in all of Qualifying so far. In addition he was robust and direct, he linked well with Bailey, won more aerial duels than anyone, worked hard in chasing the ball and held it up well when he did get it. The only downside to his game was that he couldn’t take the team all the way, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

Substitutes:

Greg Leigh (45′) – 6

He came on for Lawrence at the half and looked a very capable understudy. His speed and strength were his most notable assets which he used to shut down that right channel,forcing the US  to attack from the other side. He cleared, won headers, linked with his midfielders and even dribbled forward a few times in what was a strong display. He could be a real contender for that left back spot if Lawrence isn’t careful. 

Junior Flemmings (68′) – 5

Replaced Bobby Reid but didn’t do much in his 25 minutes. He was shuttled out wide left but found little joy on that side in open play. He provided some value from set piece situations, generating a couple half chances.

Ravel Morrison (68′) – 5

Replaced Lamar Walker; he looked lively immediately after getting onto the pitch, showing his technique with some smart link play, and despite showing plenty of energy throughout his cameo, he didn’t get much return for his efforts. 

Anthony Grant (68′) – 5

Replaced Je-Vaughn Watson and probably should have started ahead of Watson. He came on and did his usual thing, harassing his opponents and getting stuck into the tackle. It didn’t yield much, but provided extra solidity in the middle.

Oniel Fisher (88′) – n/a

Replaced Leon Bailey; not on long enough to get a rating.