It got lost a bit in the MLS and USMNT shuffle on Saturday, but Jamaica scored a shocking victory on Friday night, winning 2-1 at Chile in a pre-Copa America Centenario friendly.
The win was Jamaica's first against an opponent ranked in the top-three in the world.
Houston Dynamo attacker Giles Barnes, New England Revolution midfielder/defender Je-Vaughn Watson, Portland Timbers defender Jermaine Taylor and New York Red Bulls defender Kemar Lawrence started for the Reggae Boyz, who got goals from Clayton Donaldson and Joel Grant to top the defending Copa champs.
Donaldson opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Watson played a through ball to Garath McCleary on the right side, allowing the Reading attacker to cut in a low cross that Donaldson poked home to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead.
Barnes provided the assist on Grant’s 53rd minute tally, curling in an excellent ball from the right wing that the substitute midfielder headed home from the top of the six-yard box.
Nicolas Castillo pulled one back for Chile in the 82nd, taking advantage of a poor clearance from Lawrence to make it 2-1.
Both teams will now make their way to the US ahead of the start of the tournament. Chile will play Mexico in a friendly in San Diego on Wednesday before opening their Copa America slate against Argentina on June 6. Jamaica is done with their Copa America prep, and will start their tournament on June 5 against Venezuela.
