PASADENA, Calif. – After just two matches, Jamaica waved goodbye to their Copa America Centenario dreams on Thursday night.
Their early elimination from the tournament following a 2-0 blanking at the hands of Mexico, felt like a cold shower for a team that hoped to repeat the feat achieved in last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup when they made it all the way to the final.
They faced a Mexican team that, although erratic at times, controlled the game, finished their chances and benefited from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who was in fine form.
Jamaica created many chances of their own and pressured Mexico up front, but the final touch was ultimately lacking and the Reggae Boyz paid the price .
“It’s a tough loss. The result is not a true reflection of the game, definitely,” said Miguel Coley, Jamaica’s assistant coach who replaced suspended head coach Winfried Schaffer on the bench after the German coach was sent off at halftime of the opening game against Venezuela.
“We had dominated the game sometimes, but we didn’t finish our chances. When you face this Mexican team, you have to take those chances and finish them. In terms of how the team played tactically, I think we played a good game, but we didn’t get the result.”
The Jamaicans felt they perhaps deserved better on a controversial play in the 63rd minute. Jamaican striker Clayton Donaldson hit the deck inside the area after a challenge from Mexican defender Yasser Corona, but Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio did not signal for the penalty kick that the Jamaicans were hoping for.
“When I first saw it on the pitch, I thought it was a penalty,” said Reading’s Michael Hector, who patrolled central midfield. “I have not seen the replay, but some players that have seen the replay say it was a penalty. Obviously, decisions like this impact in the result. A penalty could have changed the game.
"We also had other chances to score, but we didn’t finish them,” he added.
Already eliminated from the tournament after two straight losses, Jamaica will close out their participation on Monday, June 13 vs. Uruguay, a team which met a similar fate and will also be going home early. The Reggae Boyz plan to use the match as a test ahead of other big matches waiting on the horizon.
“The next game against Uruguay is very important. We have to finish in a good way as we have to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers,” Coley said. “That’s our main focus right now. Copa [America] was important. We wanted to move on, but now we will face that last game in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers."
