Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz were handed a sobering reminder of the levels they must climb to compete with the world’s elite, as they were thoroughly outclassed in a 4-0 defeat to the United States in an international friendly at Energizer Park on Tuesday.
Ally Sentnor (19th, 28th) and substitute Lynn Biyendolo (60th, 88th) both grabbed impressive braces as the Jamaicans, led by assistant coach Deon Burton in Hubert Busby's absence, struggled to gain any foothold in a match dominated from start to finish by Emma Hayes' clinical United States squad.
In fact, the numbers told the story as the Girlz managed only 17% possession and just two shots, none on target, while United States got off 23 shots, 10 of them testing goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who emerged as one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise one-sided contest.
The tone was set early when Sentnor, the bright prospect from the Utah Royals, opened the scoring with a technically brilliant half-volley from just inside the area. The goal was crafted with precision as Emily Fox, with a tidy run, got on the end of a weighted cross as she caught Jamaica’s backline narrow and unbalanced. Her cushioned pass found the unmarked Sentnor, and the 21-year-old rifled a right-footer into the bottom corner, giving Brooks no chance.
Just nine minutes later, Sentnor struck again. A blocked shot by Chantelle Swaby, following a quick build-up between Sam Coffey and Alyssa Thompson, landed kindly in Sentnor’s path. The midfielder, sporting the number nine jersey, reacted quickest and slotted home with ease before Jamaica could regroup.
United States dominated the remainder of the half, as they strung together passes at will while the Girlz chased shadows. In truth, the Girlz rarely made it past midfield, as United States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce could have brought a chair, as her involvement in the first 45 minutes was nearly nonexistent.
Burton made a tactical switch on the resumption and shifted from a 3-5-2 into a 4-2-3-1 formation as they attempted to press higher. The change brought a brief moment of resilience, but it did little to stem the tide.
At the hour mark, the United States extended their lead further. A well-delivered corner was headed goalward by Claire Hutton, and Biyendolo pounced to poke it past Brooks after the Hutton's effort was deflected.
Though Kerry Abello nearly added a fourth in the 81st minute on her debut, the inevitable came in the 88th when Avery Patterson delivered a sweeping cross into the box for the arriving Biyendolo, who finished with aplomb to cap a tidy performance for the host.