Tuesday night’s 4-0 loss to the world’s number one-ranked team, the United States, might have seemed like a foregone conclusion on paper.
But for Deon Burton, assistant head coach of the Reggae Girlz and a former Reggae Boy, it wasn’t the scoreline that stung — it was how the goals were conceded and what was left undone in transition.
“We knew it would be tough”: A battle against the best
Facing off under the lights at Energizer Park in St. Louis, the Reggae Girlz were dealt a double blow in each half. Nineteen-year-old Ally Sendtor punished Jamaica with a clinical brace in the 19th and 28th minutes, while substitute Lynn Biyendolo sealed the deal with strikes in the 60th and 88th.
Yet for Burton, the result wasn’t as revealing as the details between the lines.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match, obviously, coming up against the number-one team in the world,” Burton told reporters after the game. “But I think the disappointing aspect was probably how we conceded the goals.”
Moments that could have been avoided
Burton meticulously broke down each goal — not to excuse the loss, but to highlight opportunities missed in execution.
“The first one, we worked on it — defending the back post. A couple of players were in the right positions, they just didn’t make first contact on the ball… and obviously, it dropped down and the player scored,” he recounted.
He called the second goal unfortunate: “I think it was a deflection — another day that gets blocked.”
The third, though a result of an initial superb save by goalkeeper Liya Brooks, still found the back of the net because of poor follow-up defending. And the fourth, he admitted, was the only time the Americans truly sliced open Jamaica’s shape late in the game.
Brooks shines in the shadows
Even in defeat, Burton praised goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who put in a spirited performance despite the scoreline.
“She had a brilliant game,” he affirmed. “That third goal, she made a great save. We just didn’t follow in — but her performance overall was fantastic.”
The real letdown: Lacking courage on the ball
Despite the defensive lapses, Burton saved his sharpest critique for the team’s inability to turn defense into offense.
“I’m not too disappointed with the defending,” he said. “But what I would have liked a little bit better was the transition. When we did win the ball — could we have been a little bit better with our decision-making and our final pass?”
He emphasized a lack of confidence and assertiveness once possession was won.
“We defended very well at times and we just needed that little bit of grit once we won the ball back — to push us up the pitch and get us a bit of territory,” Burton reflected.
Match statistics indicate that the victors had 83 per cent possession of the ball to Jamaica’s 17 per cent which validates the former Reggae Boy’s assessment of the team’s inability to keep possession of the ball.
A fatigue factor, but eyes on the future
The Reggae Girlz were not at full strength and had clearly spent every ounce of energy on the field. Burton acknowledged that fatigue played a significant role, particularly with some top-tier players absent.
“Credit to some of the players — they were out on their legs. They worked so hard out there and that’s what it’s gonna take,” he said. “If we can keep that determination and that hard work, it’s only going to bode well for the future when it comes time for World Cup Qualifiers.”
Looking ahead: England on the horizon
The next test for the Reggae Girlz comes on June 29, when they face England at King Power Stadium. For Burton, the key is building on Tuesday’s defensive structure — but demanding more bravery when the ball is theirs.
“Carrying on with the compact shape in the mid-block and being very self-conscious about how to defend… and can we be better on the turnover?” he asked. “So things to work on, but a few positives to take away.”
