PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Though still reeling from a heart-breaking 1-2 defeat against the United States of America, Jamaica’s Under-20 Reggae Girlz will be looking to salvage some pride from their final CONCACAF Women’s Championship contest against Nicaragua today.

Both teams are scheduled to meet in a game of academic interest only at 6:30 pm (5:30 pm Jamaica time), after leaders Mexico and United States of America (USA) meet in a top-of-the-table clash two-and-a-half hours earlier at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Jamaica and the Central Americans remain at the foot of the four-team standing without a point, while Mexico and USA are on six points each and have already secured spots in the semi-finals.

Despite their gallant effort against the four-time defending champions, the Jamaicans’ World Cup dream went up in smoke. However, it was the closest Jamaica have ever been to getting by their more illustrious rivals in four meetings at this level following 4-1, 6-0 and 3-0 scorelines in their previous meetings over the years.

The Americans, led by goals from Sophia Smith (42nd) and substitute Jaelin Howell (89th) — both of whom are coached by Jamaica’s own Lorne Donaldson in Colorado — extended their unbeaten streak in the competition to 22 games.

Meanwhile, Jamaica, who had earlier clinched the equaliser through Jadyn Matthews (88th) were losing two straight games in the same edition of the competition for the first time since 2012.

“I think it was a good game, we fought hard in the second half and as I always say we have some good players, so who knows if we have some more camps what we would get out of them. But we have players who will fight and they showed that in the game and I really appreciate what they did,” Donaldson told the Jamaica Observer.

“We showed that we have some talent and we can play, so it was actually a good game; both teams played hard because the girls were rested and focused. It was a different team from the first one, so it just goes to show what little bit more time to prepare does for you.

“If we have time to prepare, then I think this is going to be a very good squad. It was a brand new back four that never trained together, this is the first time they were playing together and I think the training session we did yesterday (Saturday) helped them immensely. So I was very happy that playing against a good team they could carry out the task in such a short space of time,” he added.

After falling behind in the first half and absorbing pressure for most of the game, the Jamaicans took charge of the game from the hour mark and created a number of chances before eventually getting back on level terms two minutes from time.

But before they could catch their collective breaths from the celebrations, they conceded the winner immediately afterwards.

Donaldson believes Canadian referee Carol-Anne Chenard made a blunder in that regard.

“I thought a world-class referee like that made a big mistake, when we scored she restarted the game before we even settled. We were caught trying to get back in position and the ball was played and they scored,” he lamented.

But with that game now gone like a candle in the wind, Donaldson and his girls will be aiming to end their Group B campaign against Nicaragua on a high.

The Girlz seemed a bit gleeful yesterday as they went through a light tactical session at a nearby playing field, as they seek to rebound from the disappointment of Sunday’s loss.

A few changes are once again expected to be made to the previous starting 11, but the coaches are yet to finalise the players who will fill the 4-3-3 formation.

“Obviously the performance against the US was good, so we can’t have a letdown, we have to go out there and go after Nicaragua. There will be some changes because some people played a lot of minutes last night (Sunday) and that’s why you have a 20-player roster, so you can rotate.

“So the positive have to come from the next game and the plan is to go after Nicaragua and try to score some goals. I am sure Nicaragua is going to come and try to win a game as well, so we will see what happens,” Donaldson noted.

Sydney Schneider is again expected to start in goal, with the fresh legs of Nevillegail Able, Jayda Pelaia-Hylton and Erin Mikalsen possibly set to join Madiya Harriott in the defensive line.

Chyanne Dennis, Jadyn Matthews and Gabrielle Gayle could be rested.

Canadian Emily Caza could come in the midfield for Giselle Washington to join Alyssa Julien and Olufolasade Adamolekun could replace Ebony Clarke behind the strikers.

Meanwhile, Kevena Reid could join Jody Brown and Marlee Fray up front in place of Mireya Grey.

Haiti and Canada secured the semi-final spots from Group A where the group winner will square off against the runner-up from Group B.

The top three teams will qualify for the Women’s Under-20 World Cup to be staged in France in August.