PORTMORE United Assistant Coach Ricardo Smith has noted that a lack of full fitness contributed to his team’s 1-2 defeat to Salcedo FC of Dominican Republic in their 2026 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup Group B match in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday.

Playing at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Jamaican champions fell behind by two goals before half-time. Salcedo FC opened the scoring when Jamesley Daniel fired home in the 32nd minute before Anyelo Gomez doubled the advantage in the 44th minute.

Portmore United cut into the deficit in the 50th minute as Javier Brown reacted quickest to a rebound from Marques Reid’s shot and slotted home.

Smith, who was deputising for head coach Rodolph Austin, who is away on international duties with Jamaica’s Under-20 team, admitted that it was a difficult game and that his players looked lacklustre, especially in the first half.

“It was a really tough game and we gave up two soft goals as you said. Sometimes you see when players don’t follow instructions, that’s what happens,” said Smith.

He continued: “I am not blaming them, [it was] a really tough game today, we just have to come again. I think they were lacklustre, maybe [there is] a lack of full fitness. We just have to work on that.”

“The second half was a whole different story, with a complete, better performance compared to the first half. We went out there and we did what we set out to do from the first half,” Smith pointed out.

“We got an early goal. We got a few chances, it could have gone 2-2 or 3-2, but it just didn’t happen. But that’s a positive, a better second half than the first half,” he noted.

Portmore’s Corey Burke nodded onto the crossbar from a corner kick in the 70th minute and again late on he kicked wide from inside the box.

“It’s not the first time we’re losing but we have time to get prepared. We’re going to prepare and we’re going to make you proud,” said Smith.

Portmore United will next face fellow Jamaican team Cavalier in its next match in this tournament on September 3.