Jamaica were edged 1-0 by Mexico in their Copa America 2024 opener in Houston, Texas on Saturday. The Jamaica Observer’s digital sports coordinator, Rachid Parchment, took in the action. Here are his player ratings for the game.

Jahmali Waite – 8/10 – Jamaica’s best player on the night. Showed quick reflexes and good positioning to make a number of crucial saves throughout the 90 minutes.

Di’Shon Bernard – 6/10 – Didn’t do anything wrong but nothing outstanding either.

Joel Latibeaudiere – 6/10 – Made no glaring errors but seems to still be adjusting to how this team plays. Positional play could be improved.

Ethan Pinnock – 6.5/10 – Partnered Bernard and Latibeaudiere well. Decent performance.

Dexter Lembikisa – 7/10 – Jamaica’s best player after Waite. Tracked runs well, made good tackles and was quite active in attack. Excellent cross provided for Michail Antonio to head into the back of the net — a shame it was offside.

Greg Leigh – 6.5/10 – Worked hard up and down the left side all night. Did his best to contribute both in defence and attack.

Kasey Palmer – 6/10 – Got forward and in good positions to provide a goal threat but had moments when he was dribbled by too easily.

Bobby Reid – 5.5/10 – Arguably could’ve have done better to close down Gerardo Arteaga and prevent Mexico’s goal. Another performance well below his standard but still being asked to play a role he does not look comfortable in. Found himself too deep for too much of the game for such an attack-minded player.

Shamar Nicholson – 4/10 – Excellent John Cena impression. No one could see him all game. Hope the bus didn’t leave without him.

Michail Antonio – 5/10 – Just better than Nicholson. Lost some duels and didn’t put himself about enough. Did find the net but was unfortunately offside.

Demarai Gray – 5/10 – Uncharacteristically quiet game from him.

Substitutes
Damion Lowe – 5/10 – His introduction to the game had little effect

Michael Hector – 5/10 – Also had little effect.

Kaheim Dixon – 5.5/10 – Tried to make an impact but 10 minutes and the level of opponent made it difficult.

Renaldo Cephas – 5/10 – Also introduced in the 80th minute as Jamaica chased the equaliser, but was unable to make a difference.

Heimir Hallgrímsson – 4/10 – The team defended well throughout but offered little in attack. Approached the game in a safety-first, timid way and his tactics lacked imagination. Hard to understand why he is still playing Route 1 football with so many technically adept players on the team. Baffling defensive substitutions moments before the goal, when the game was there to be won.

– Rachid Parchment