GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

Jamaica created history last night by beating the United States in a senior football international for the first time. The Reggae Boyz put on a valiant show. Below is a breakdown of the team's performance.

GORDON'S REPORT CARD:

USA vs JAMAICA

GOALKEEPER

Dwayne Miller must have been shell-shocked when Jamaica let through US for the opening goal after only 35 seconds, especially after bravely blocking the initial point-blank shot. But he responded positively, making two important saves in the first half to deny the Americans. In the second half, Miller left his line twice under pressure - in the space of seconds - to punch away dangerous situations. Couldn't be faulted on the goal. Solid game all round.

MIDFIELD

Jamaica gradually grew in confidence in this area after the shock goal by US. Patches of neat passing in addition to stepped-up pressure, forced US into uncharacteristic indecisiveness early and often, even as the Americans held the lead. But the Jamaicans often surrendered the ball under pressure, including the usually reliable Jason Morrison in the central holding role. Jevaughn Watson showed confidence and poise with crisp passing. But Rodolph Austin was Jamaica's best player. He was physical and direct. His shot from the free kick, levelled the score for Jamaica. Other long-range efforts kept the US bottled up. Joel Senior's cameo appearance was solid as he never seemed overawed in his first qualifier. Overall, this unit grabbed the game by the neck when Jamaica fell behind early, a situation that could have easily led to a disastrous evening, and won the battle in this area.

DEFENCE

The central pair of Adrian Mariappa and Nyron Nosworthy generated way too many nervous moments at the back for Jamaica early. Mariappa's mistake let through Herculez Gomez, not once, but twice to shoot, eventually leading to the US goal on the rebound by Clint Demsey. Nosworthy hardly looked comfortable with the ball. Lovel Palmer on the right hit a few wayward balls early, but defended solidly overall. Jermaine Taylor on the left lost possession too easily at times, but also defended well. After a shaky start, this unit improved in the second half to hold off the desperate US.

FORWARD

Jamaica went with Ryan Johnson as a lone central striker, with Kavin Bryan and captain Luton Shelton mainly spread wide. The threat of this trio's speed forced the US to stay cautious, not wanting to be caught on the counter attack. Johnson held the ball up well, but missed a clear chance to send Shelton clear in the first half. Shelton's free kick for the second goal was a gem. Bryan attacked well in spurts and his replacement, Darren Mattocks, playing his first international at home, did not skip a beat.

COACHING

Theodore Whitmore came up with the near-perfect game plan. Shelton and Bryan wide made sure the US stayed on their heels, not risking going forward from defence. The coach's best imprint, however, was Jamaica's composure after the early goal. The coach gets credit here for instilling belief. He gets maximum credit, too, for doing a job no other Jamaica coach has ever done - beat the US at this level.