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Bennett strikes as Boyz stave off USA

SEAN A WILLIAMS, Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Jamaica. 1, Bennett (4th)
USA. 1, Olsen (25th)

CARY, North Carolina - Jamaica's well-sought after win against
CONCACAF rivals USA remains elusive as both teams played out an
exciting 1-1 draw in a friendly international as the SAS Soccer Park here
last night.

The Reggae Boyz, in a gutsy rendition, sprung into the lead in only the
fourth minute courtesy of Virginia Beach Mariners' Teofore Bennett. The
Americans rallied in the 25th minute thanks to Ben Olsen.

In the first minute of play a terrible back pass by Claude Davis nearly
cost the Boyz, but goalkeeper Dovovan Ricketts was quick off his line to
clear the danger.

Jamaica made amends with a goal when Ricketts' quick throw-out was
well-received by Kansas City Wizards' Jermaine Hue. The crafty former
Harbour View midfielder's perfectly-weighted pass found Bennet on a
gallop and the Virginia Beach Mariners' frontman was smooth in rounding
Tony Meola before shooting with the left foot into an empty goal.

But though they were trailing, the Americans' play remained positive as
they passed the ball around in search of openings in a Jamaica defence
determined to preserve their 1-0 lead.

In another constructive forward play in the 22nd minute, Hue, as slick as
ever, played a clever chip ball for Bennett, whose right-side cross was too
much for debutant Ryan Johnson to manage as the Real Salt Lake man
could only get a shade of his left-foot on the ball.

The USA's industry paid off in the 25th when Ben Olsen collected Landon
Donovan's pass into the area, and the midfielder's well-struck low drive
bounced under the sprawled out frame of Ricketts and into the net.

In the 31st minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, in a display of skill down his
favourite rightside, got around Chris Albright and the ensuing cross was
met by Ryan Johnson in the centre, but the latter's shot was blocked.

In time added, it looked almost certain that the home side would take the
lead when Taylor Twellman slipped between Garfield Reid and Damion
Stewart, but the latter's younger brother, Demar, made a sliding effort to
deny the American frontman.

The first 45 minutes provided exciting play from both teams, but the edge
must be given to the USA as they made several inroads into the heart of
the Boyz' defence. However, stout defending by the latter kept the
scoreboard even going into the dressing room.

In minute 54 Ricketts pulled off a spectacular one-handed save, tipping
Albright's powerful close-range header over the horizontal.

TEAMS

Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Claude Davis (Demar Stewart 30th), Damion
Stewart, Omar Daley, Garfield Reid, Khari Stephenson (Oneil Thompson
71st), Jermaine Hue, Jason Morrison, (Dane Richards 60th) Jamal
Campbell-Ryce (Fabian Dawkins 61st), Ryan Johnson Jermaine Johnson
71st), Teofore Bennett (Newton Sterling 61st).

Subs not used: S Sawyers,

Booked: Daley (34th)

USA - Tony Meola, Frankie Hejduk, Chris Albright, Landon Donovan, Pat
Noonan (John O'Brien 67th), Ben Olsen, Josh Wolff (Eddie Johnson 45th),
Steve Ralston (Clint Demsey 55th), Taylor Twellman (Brian Ching 45th),
Eddie Pope, Pablo Matsroeni.


Subs not used: M Reis, N Garcia, , K Zavagnin,


Booked: Pope (20th)

Referee: Jorge Flores (Mexico)

Assistants: Pedro Leon, Jose Luis Camargo (Mexico)

Fourth Official: Ricardo Salazar (USA)