CHICAGO, Illinois, CMC – Aston Villa star Leon Bailey missed a crucial penalty before late substitute Brandon Vázquez netted a sensational equaliser, as Jamaica Reggae Boyz had their hopes of a win dashed in a disappointing 1-1 draw with reigning champions United States in the opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
With time ticking away at Soldier Field here late Saturday night, the 24-year-old Vázquez smashed a loose ball past goalkeeper Andre Blake from six yards out only six minutes after coming off the bench, to ensure the hosts took a share of the points.
Jamaica led on 13 minutes through Damion Lowe’s close range header but then squandered an excellent opportunity to double their lead when Bailey missed from the spot in the 29th minute.
Up 1-0 at the break, Jamaica were forced to defend their lead stoutly in the second half, before things unravelled at the end.
“We kind of knew it would be intense. I think we could have done a lot of things better than we did but in general, we should be happy and respectful for this point,” said Jamaican head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson.
“We said before this game we would respect a point and it’s a group, so to have a point against the best team in the group – the highest ranked team in the group – is always a good start.
“You don’t need to win the match if you qualify from the group so of course we’re not happy with conceding at the end of the game but considering everything – even though it’s a little bit hard now – we should respect a point and at least take it as a positive, rather than a negative.”
Blake was forced into a save as early as the eighth minute when Jesús Ferreira’s cross from the right found Alan Soñora advancing on the left, the 24-year-old watching as his low left-footed drive was safely held.
However, it was Jamaica who took the surprise lead when Everton’s Demerai Gray whipped a cross into the box and Lowe eluded his marker to head his third international goal past Matthew Turner.
Aidan Morris’s high boot into the midriff of Kevon Lambert then left Jamaica with a penalty, only for Turner to easily snaffle Bailey’s spot kick diving low to his left.
United States then laid siege to Jamaica’s goal and the Caribbean side’s defence appeared to be holding out until the dying minutes of the contest.
With Jamaica defending desperately, Ferreira put a cross into the box which ricocheted off the leg of Wolves full back Dexter Lembikisa, eluded Lowe’s lunge and fell to Vázquez who buried the resulting volley.