KANSAS CITY, Kansas — For 70 minutes, the Reggae Boyz looked as if they were capable of pulling off an upset over Brazil-bound USA in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at Sporting Park here on Friday.

In the must-win encounter, the Jamaicans self-destructed in the final 20 minutes after dominating the first half. In four minutes, they conceded two goals to eventually lose 2-0. From a score from 1 to 10, this is how the Sunday Observer rated the Boyz’ performan

Defence

A very organised rendition up to the point where they let in the first goal. With Adrian Mariappa and Wes Morgan in the centre of defence, Jamaica held off the America threat to keep a clean sheet up to the 77th minute. On the left side, Demar Phillips was doing a good job aiding in the attack and was contributing in the defence, as well. Lloyd Doyley, in typical fashion, was not adventurous and stayed home in the right channel. But in the last 15 minutes of the contest, the USA’s sustained pressure took its toll and the discipline around the back went out the window and never came back. Goalkeeper DuWayne Kerr was competent between the sticks until his goal was breached, absolutely no fault of his. Were it not for those goals, this defence would have received a higher mark.

— 5

Midfield

It seems that whenever Rodolph Austin plays well for Jamaica, the rest of the team gets a lift. He played like a captain on Friday night, leading from the front. His fellow midfielders Je-Vaughn Watson and Jobi McAnuff all upped their game and played key roles in Jamaica’s strong possession play. Credit must go to the midfield as it worked closely with the attacking trio.

— 6

Offence

The three-man attack employed by coach Winfried Schafer appeared a strategy that was working. With support from the midfielders, all three strikers — Ryan Johnson, Darren Mattocks and the debutant Deshorn Brown — were very involved in the game. While they carried out their substantive roles hustling the American defenders, they were back-tracking deep as the first line of defence. For their probes in the final third and on-target shots, it’s a shame they didn’t have a goal to show for the industry.

Total: 16

Formation: 4-3-3.