Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby has taken a lot of positives out of the 2021 WNT Summer Series, presented by AT&T 5G which ends tomorrow in Austin, Texas.
Busby’s Reggae Girlz were accommodated with two games in the four-team friendly series which includes world champions US, Portugal, Nigeria and Jamaica.
The Girlz won their first game 1-0 against Nigeria, but lost the second 4-0 to the hosts on Sunday night at the BBVA Stadium.
“We were very fortunate to be a part of a terrific Summer Series and we are grateful to US Soccer for their hospitality. Coming off a 16-month break, we couldn’t ask for two more challenging games to get our preparations going and you can’t complain with a win and a loss,” Busby told the Jamaican media.
“As a coach you always want to win but under the circumstances we can’t help but be pleased with the performances across those two games which are a lot to build on, so definitely we will make notes of the positives and use those as a springboard as we look forward,” he reflected.
Left back Deneisha Blackwood netted the lone goal in the victory over Nigeria, while Carli Lloyd opened the scoring for the Americans with an early in the first minute of play, then Lindsey Horan converted a penalty inside seven minutes before Midge Purce increased the lead further in the 22nd minute. Alex Morgan added a final goal in stoppage time.
But Busby thought the experience was needed to press ahead when the World Cup qualifiers begin later this year.
He said there were obvious signs that the team had progressed over the past two weeks as they gelled and bonded and he’s wishing for more time together at the next FIFA Window, which will be in late August, early September.
“At this point in time we have already had discussions and I do know that plans are in place come September for us to get together again, so for now we will definitely do something in September. As far as opponents go, we haven’t had those discussions as yet, and that will depend on teams that are available and have no prior engagements, but we want to make sure that we find the right opponents that will get us ready for November,” the coach told the media.
