Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls concluded their campaign at the 2024 Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand with a sixth-place finish. Despite a valiant effort from an inexperienced squad, the Sunshine Girls ended the tournament winless after tough matches on Sunday, the second day of competition, where they faced a formidable lineup of opponents.

In their opening Sunday game, Jamaica faced defending champions Australia and struggled to keep pace, eventually falling 39-56 to the three-time title holders. Later, they encountered Uganda, who managed a decisive 43-26 victory over the Sunshine Girls. Jamaica's final match of the day was a close showdown against England, where they were edged out 38-36, securing a sixth-place finish for Jamaica.

The fifth/sixth-place playoff against England was particularly intense, with both teams evenly matched in a low-scoring game. Heading into the fourth-quarter Power Play tied, England's Paige Reed scored a critical four-pointer, followed by more points from Jones. Jamaica kept pushing, with Amanda Pinkney attempting three six-pointers in the closing moments, any of which could have swung the game Jamaica’s way. However, the shots didn't connect, and England held on for a narrow win, securing fifth place with Kelly named Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, Australia capped off their campaign with a thrilling 34-30 victory over hosts New Zealand, rallying from 15 points down to claim their third consecutive Fast5 title.

South Africa finished third after defeating Uganda 46-42.

Atlanta United stunned MLS Cup favourites Inter Miami, coming from behind to win 3-2 and setting up another trip to Florida to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Bartosz Slisz scored the all-important winner to ensure Atlanta overturned the deficit in the series, having lost their first trip to Chase Stadium.

The hosts started brightly, with Matias Rojas sharply turning in the rebound of Lionel Messi's saved shot moments after Jamal Thiare was denied by the post.

However, the Senegalese striker would soon turn things around with two goals in two minutes – he powered his first shot past Drake Callender after some chaos in the box and was left with a simple tap-in from close range for his second.

Diego Gomez was denied an equaliser by VAR shortly after, having drifted offside before receiving Luis Suarez's pass, while Brad Guzen made a string of fine saves to keep Atlanta's lead intact.

He could not keep them out forever though, with Messi peeling away at the back post to nod in an equaliser in the 65th minute.

It was Slisz who would have the last say though, leaping high to power a header past Callender against the run of play, with Atlanta causing the biggest upset of the playoffs so far.

Data Debrief: One for the books

Miami were classed as the favourites to win the MLS Cup this year, but their defeat to Atlanta maybe should not be too big of a surprise, with this their third loss against them this season.

The Five Stripes ended a six-match winless run on the road in the play-offs (D1 L5), but have still conceded multiple goals in each of their last six such games. 

Slisz is not known for his goalscoring, but he stepped up at the right time for Atlanta - it was just his second goal in MLS this season, and his first since May 18.

Orlando City booked their place in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout win over Charlotte FC.

The Lions had Facundo Torres to thank, as he scored a last-minute goal to force spot-kicks, where Charlotte were twice denied by Pedro Gallese.

Orlando had the better of a tight first half, with Torres hitting the base of the right post before sending a header against the crossbar within the first 21 minutes.

Patrick Agyemang thought he had given Charlotte the lead against the run of play just before the break, but his lob was ruled out for offside.

Charlotte eventually broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, Karol Swiderski getting a stroke of luck as his shot deflected in off Rodrigo Schlegel.

It looked like Orlando's chance was gone when Torres saw his 102nd-minute penalty saved, but the Uruguayan kept his composure to slot in the rebound.

He scored one of the hosts' four penalties but Gallese proved the hero, denying both Pep Biel and Swiderski with fine saves to send them through and set up a meeting with Atlanta United.

Data Debrief: Leaving it late

If Orlando were going to find a way back into this game, it was always going to come through Torres, who proved a thorn in Charlotte's side from the first whistle. 

He had six shots in this game, though only hitting the target twice (his saved penalty and the follow-up goal), and netted his 16th goal in MLS this season when he finally hit the back of the net.

While Charlotte suffered late heartbreak, it was a deserved win from Orlando, who dominated from the off by creating 2.41 expected goals from their 20 shots.

Glenmuir High overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Frome Technical 4-3 in a thrilling Group A quarterfinal clash that will be remembered as one of the most exciting matches of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata daCosta Cup season.

It was an intense display of grit, determination, and skill by Glenmuir as they battled back from 3-1 down, with prolific scorer Orane Watson netting a hat-trick to see them to victory in May Pen, Clarendon, on Saturday.

Watson’s goals, which came in the 47th, 64th, and 79th, extended his remarkable tally to 27 goals so far this season, while Conroy Nicely (18th) got the other. Wayne Mullings (10th), Stevaughn Spence (22nd), and Clinton Beckford (43rd) got Frome Technical’s goals.

With the win, Glenmuir took charge of the group on three points, two points ahead of St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) and McGrath, who played out a 1-1 stalemate in the other fixture.

Glenmuir’s Andrew Peart praised his players’ fighting spirit.

“That is the key thing; you have to know how to win in multiple ways and being two goals down, I must say it was a job very well done by the boys overall.

“However, I thought the first half we allowed Spence too much freedom down our left channel because when they won the ball, they played direct and that was the biggest adjustments we made second half and then we secured possession of the ball a little more and those two things propelled us to the win,” Peart said in a post-game interview.

Frome Technical came into the match ready to prove their mettle and quickly displayed their attacking prowess and found the go-ahead goal when captain Mullings expertly converted a freekick from just outside the 18-yard box.

Glenmuir belatedly got into their stride and were back on leveled terms eight minutes later when O’neil Headly’s well-weighted corner kick was nicely headed home by an unmarked Nicely at the far post.

However, Glenmuir’s celebration was short-lived as the talented and classy Spence restored Frome Technical’s lead with a well-struck breathtaking freekick from well over 25 yards out that had custodian Justin Murray beaten all ends up.

After registering his 20th goal of the season, Spence played provider with a dazzling turn and pass off to Beckford, who finished with aplomb to add to Glenmuir’s woes, as Frome Technical went to the break 3-1 up.

However, Glenmuir’s squad refused to play dead and quickly cut the deficit two minutes into the resumption when Watson fired home.

The standout player, sporting the number nine jersey, ignited the comeback with a relentless drive and pulled Glenmuir level with a composed penalty conversion.

A heavy downpour then added to the drama, but rather than dampen the intensity, the rain only seemed to fuel Glenmuir’s resolve and Watson inevitably sealed his hat-trick and, by extension, the comeback when he lashed home from another weighted pass from Headly.

Spence almost made things interesting for Frome Technical at the end but Murray left his line well to deny the effort in time added.

Frome Technical’s Head coach, Cleighton Stephens, was disappointed with the loss, which he believes resulted from a lapse in concentration.

“I would say it came down to a lack of concentration because as you saw most of the goals that Glenmuir scored we basically didn’t use our head in the game so basically our mistakes cost us the game. We just didn’t adjust fast enough to the conditions when the rain came and we ended up paying for it,” Stephens said.

Saturday’s Results

Garvey Maceo 2, Central High 2

Glenmuir 4, Frome Technical 3

McGrath High 1, STETHS 1

Amir Jangoo’s red hot form in this season’s CG United Super50 Cup continued on Saturday with a maiden List A century to lead his team to a 45-run DLS method win over the Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Queen’s Park Oval.

In a match reduced to 45 overs-per-side, Jangoo, coming off scores of 96 and 70*, led the way with 111 off 114 balls to help the defending champions post an imposing 288-3 in their 45 overs.

The left-hander’s innings included 10 fours and two sixes. Jyd Goolie and Kjorn Ottley also got half centuries with 68* off 51 balls and 66 off 86 balls, respectively.

The Harpy Eagles were then reduced to 201-7 off 39 overs when the game was called off for bad light with them 45 runs short of the DLS par score.

Kemol Savory was left stranded on 69* off 92 balls. Anderson Phillip took 2-37 from six overs while Bryan Charles took 2-40 off nine overs.

Full Scores:

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 288-3 off 45 overs (Amir Jangoo 111, Jyd Goolie 68, Kjorn Ottley 66)

Guyana Harpy Eagles 201-7 off 39 overs (Kemol Savory 69*, Kevlon Anderson 32, Anderson Phillip 2-37, Bryan Charles 2-37)

The win moves the Red Force back to the top of the points standings with 48 from five games, 10 points ahead of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and 14 ahead of the Barbados Pride in third.

The Harpy Eagles are four points ahead of the Jamaica Scorpions in fourth with 28.

Garvey Maceo appeared poised to claim all three points against Central High after racing to a brisk two-goal lead in their Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata Group B quarterfinal clash in May Pen.

However, a resilient Central High team clawed their way back, forcing Garvey Maceo to settle for a 2-2 stalemate and a share of the spoils in a dramatic Clarendon derby on Saturday.

Antwone Wright (36th) and Ean Noel (60th) were responsible for Central High’s comeback after Omarion O’Brian (1st) and Everald Swaby (8th) did the early damage for Garvey Maceo.

With the result, things remain evenly poised in the group as all four teams—Garvey Maceo, Central High, Ocho Rios, and Munro College—are on a point each in their hunt for the top two spots to the semi-finals.

Garvey Maceo’s Head coach Lester Hibbert, expressed disappointment with his team’s inability to hold onto their early lead but acknowledged Central’s resilience.

“It is just a few goals that resulted in the two goals that we conceded that cost us the three points. But apart from that, the boys played brilliantly; we just have to shake this off, regroup, and come again for our next game on Tuesday,” Hibbert said.

The match started with a bang, as poor defending from Central High allowed O’Brian to break the deadlock with a firm finish from just inside the 18-yard box with a mere 15 seconds on the clock.

Just seven minutes later, Swaby doubled the lead with a well-placed left-footed strike from Christopher Mundle’s cross, sending Garvey Maceo’s supporters into a frenzy. With such an explosive start, it looked as though the game might be a lopsided affair, with Garvey Maceo controlling possession and Central struggling to keep up.

But as the first half progressed, Central High settled into their rhythm and began pushing back, eager to avoid an early defeat in this critical quarterfinal contest.

Their persistence paid off in the 36th minute when Wright again got in behind Garvey Maceo’s high defensive line and finished a precision shot beyond custodian Garfield Tomlinson to reignite Central’s hopes.

That goal energized Central, who ended the half with renewed confidence and a more organized defence.

Central maintained their momentum on the resumption and eventually pulled level at the hour mark when Dellan Briscoe placed a pass on a platter for Noel, who finished a firm left-footer that left the Garvey Maceo fans stunned.

Garvey Maceo regained their rhythm and both teams pressed for the winning goal but were unable to make the most of their few half chances and had to settle for a point.

For Central High’s Jermaine Douglas, the draw felt like a victory after a difficult start.

“It was the worst possible start for us; the last thing you can do is concede in the first minute, and we managed to do that, and then we again conceded after that. But I think once we settled we made better decisions in the final third and we probably should have won this game,” Douglas noted.

Attackers Leon Bailey and Shamar Nicholson are back in the Reggae Boyz squad for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against defending champions the USA on November 14 and 18.

The Reggae Boyz will first host the Americans at the National Stadium in Kingston on the 14^th before travelling to St. Louis for the return leg at Energizer Park four days later.

Bailey is returning after missing the last two Reggae Boyz squads through injury while Nicholson is back after asking to be left out of the last squad to work on his match sharpness with club Spartak Moscow.

“We’ve had several conversations and really formed a good bond between us,” Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said about Bailey.

“He was so unlucky to miss the first two camps through injuries but now he’s had two or three weeks after missing the last camp where he’s got his fitness back. He’s playing 90 minutes regularly now. He’s absolutely delighted and can’t wait to come over and be part of the squad,” he added.

McClaren also offered words on Nicholson’s return.

“We kept in touch wit Shamar since the last camp and we fully understood that he wanted to stay at his club and regain his fitness. He hired a personal trainer that’s been working hard with him, He’s been getting more minutes within his club and scoring goals,” he said.

“Speaking to him this week, he’s focused and fitter. He feels ready to contribute to our team so we’re delighted to have him,” he added.

Joining Bailey and Nicholson among the forwards in the squad are Michail Antonio, Kaheim Dixon, Romario Williams, Renaldo Cephas and Demarai Gray.

Queen’s Park Rangers holding midfielder Isaac Hayden is part of the squad for the first time since committing his international future to the Reggae Boyz.

“The JFF has been chasing him for quite some time. I’ve had about two or three calls with him since I took the job. He’s desperate to play and he’s at that stage in his career where he needs to kick on and this is one of the ways that he can,” McClaren said.

The former Arsenal and Newcastle United midfielder is expected to provide some stability in the middle of the park, something that the Reggae Boyz have been lacking for some time.

"He will be a welcome addition to our squad in terms of a genuine No.6 who's played at the highest level in that position," McClaren said.

Joining him in the midfield in the are Joel Latibeaudiere, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer and Tyreek Magee.

Regulars Damion Lowe and Ethan Pinnock lead a defensive unit including Richard King, Tayvon Gray, Dexter Lembikisa, Mason Holgate, Di’shon Bernard, Amari’i Bell and Greg Leigh.

Captain Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite and Shaquan Davis are the goalkeepers.

Players missing out on this trip include attacker Norman Campbell and midfielder Bobby Reid whose wife is expecting a child during the international break.

Amanda Pinkney’s pride in representing Jamaica is always clear, but for the goal-attack and her Sunshine Girls teammates, this Fast5 Netball World Series is especially meaningful.

For one, it is the first time many of the players are representing the island on the world stage, and while their chances of making the podium have evaporated after three opening defeats, Pinkney, who was a member of the team that placed fifth at last year’s tournament, believes they have enough quality to end on a high.

Pinkney’s team, which lost 19-39, 15-35, and 25-33 to New Zealand, England, and South Africa in that order on Friday’s opening day, will have Australia and Uganda to contend with in two more fast-paced encounters on Saturday that will demand every ounce of strength and strategy the team has cultivated.

“There’s nothing like the energy of representing Jamaica on a big stage, especially after the long international break. We’ve all worked hard individually to get here, and you can feel the chemistry building. So even though the results didn’t go our way on the first day, we gave it our best,” Pinkney told SportsMax.Tv from the team’s base in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“I always say that my biggest accomplishment is being able to represent Jamaica on the world stage because, in doing so, I can contribute to our team’s successes, like medaling at major tournaments. That is something I hold close to my heart, and I was hoping we could have medalled here; but again, things haven’t gone our way so far, and we will have to give it our all to overcome the challenge in the next two games,” she added.

Although the odds may seem daunting, the young and fairly inexperienced Jamaican side—fielding seven debutants—has shown flashes of their resilience and skill, particularly in their last contest against South Africa, a performance they will aim to build on in the last two games.

Australia are so far unbeaten, while England, South Africa, and New Zealand have won two matches each. Jamaica and Uganda are winless.

“Fast5 challenges us to be sharp, quick, and strategic, and going up against top teams really motivates us to give our best. We’re all driven to not only compete but to showcase our unique Sunshine Girls style,” Pinkney said.

“So now it’s just about executing better than we did in the first three games. That performance against South Africa is a good marker for us to work from, and so if we stay focused and play to our potential, I believe we have a great chance to at least finish with two wins,” she noted.

That said, the 24-year-old, who has tallied 28 goals in the tournament so far, has her sights set on a broader legacy in her career that she said has been shaped by both triumphs and trials.

However, these experiences, for Pinkney, have not only developed her skills but also instilled in her a deep resilience.

“Experiences, whether good or bad, have made me stronger because I view every situation as an opportunity to learn and grow, so I’m still in a good space mentally, and I know my teammates are too,” the bubbly player, who was a part of the historic CAC Games gold medal win last year, shared.

“I want to continue growing as a player and contributing to Jamaica’s success of being identified as a dominant force in netball and also, hopefully, to inspire the next generation of players. So I will take the lessons from this Fast5 tournament and keep pushing myself, improve my game, and aim to make my family and country proud in every tournament we play,” Pinkney ended.

The Bahamas have once again been selected to host the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, as they, along with Trinidad and Tobago, will be the Caribbean’s representatives in the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Seychelles.

Scheduled to take place from March 11 to 16, at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, the competition will begin with an eight-team group stage—two groups of four teams each.

Alongside the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.

After round-robin play, the two best teams in each group will progress to the knockout stage, which will be contested as a single-match direct elimination semifinals on March 15. This will be followed by a third-place match and final on March 16, where the region’s Beach Soccer Champion will be crowned.

Additionally, the two finalists will represent the confederation at the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
 
The official draw for the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship is scheduled for November 26, 2024, with the match schedule to be announced shortly after.

In the previous edition of the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship, also played in The Bahamas, last year, the United States won its third Concacaf title (2006, 2013, 2023) after defeating Mexico 5-0 in the final. The two North American nations represented the region at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the UAE.

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls faced a tough opening day at the Fast5 Netball World Series on Friday, as they lost all three of their opening encounters, but will be hoping for better fortunes on Saturday’s final day in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The young, relatively inexperienced Jamaican squad—fielding seven debutants—was visibly affected by the high-stakes atmosphere, showing early jitters and struggling to find their usual rhythm. Their opponents—New Zealand, England, and South Africa—capitalized on the team's early nerves and shaky play to clinch solid 39-19, 35-15, and 33-25 wins.

In their first game against the host nation, New Zealand, Jamaica faltered under the pressure and succumbed to a 20-goal blowout. The Sunshine Girls’ normally steady ball movement and confident shooting were absent as they grappled to find cohesion on the court before Amanda Pinkney eventually scored 13 goals and Simone Gordon, six.

New Zealand, buoyed by their home crowd, put Jamaica on the defensive from start to finish, with Martina Salmon scoring 17 goals, while Maia Wilson and Saviour Tui had 11 goals each.

Jamaica’s next matchup, against England, unfolded similarly as the shooting struggles persisted, and unforced errors cost them valuable scoring opportunities and inevitably resulted in another 20-goal defeat. Pinkney again led the way for the Jamaicans with nine goals, while Shadine Bartley had the other six.

England’s disciplined defence and polished offensive execution widened the gap, as Harriet Jones hit a solid 13 goals from as many attempts, with support from Sophie Egbaran (8 goals), Paige Reed (8 goals), and Sophie Kelly (6 goals).

However, the Jamaicans returned for their final game against South Africa determined and refocused, and it was evident in what was their best showing of the day.

The Sunshine Girls appeared more positive and organized across the court, as they found moments of fluidity in their movement and delivered some confident shots, giving fans a glimpse of the team's potential.

Despite ultimately falling short by eight goals, they had much to smile about as this time it was Bartley that led from the front with 12 goals, supported by Kestina Sturridge (7 goals) and Pinkney (six goals).

South Africa used their experience to good effect, as Zandre Smith scored 18 goals and Kamogelo Maseko had a perfect seven goals from seven attempts. Rolene Streukter, also scored seven goals, with Lefebre Rademan getting the other goal.

With the first day out the way, the Jamaicans will be hoping for better fortunes on the second day as they face reigning champions Australia, who are so far unbeaten in the tournament, and Uganda. However, fatigue could set in as playing fast-paced games involving four six-minute quarters against five of the world’s best teams is by no means easy.

Those games are scheduled for 6:00pm and 10:30pm Jamaica time.

NB: Fast5 action can be seen live on SportsMax and the SportsMax app.

Los Angeles FC advanced to the Western Conference MLS playoff semi-finals after beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 at the BMO Stadium on Friday. 

After a tense first-half that saw just one shot on target, Mateusz Bogusz's 62nd minute strike settled the best-of-three series to set up a tie with the Seattle Sounders. 

A cagey opening to proceedings saw clear-cut chances hard to come by, as visiting striker Brian White saw his effort comfortably gathered by Hugo Lloris in the 27th minute. 

But the decisive moment came just after the hour-mark when Andres Cubas' poor header was collected by Bogusz, with the Pole then firing a left-footed effort into the far corner. 

Vancouver, however, improved after going a goal down and thought they had drawn themselves level through Tristan Blackmon, but his 74th minute header was ruled out for offside.

The visitors continued to push to try and send the game to penalties, but LAFC were able to hold on to seal their progression to the semi-finals for the third consecutive season. 

Data Debrief: Bogusz keeps the double alive

In a game that lacked quality from both sides in the final third, LAFC's Bogusz proved to be the difference, netting his 20th goal of the season in all competitions on Friday. 

The Pole also registered a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 0.21, while also completing the joint-most successful dribbles (three) along with Lewis O'Brien. 

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, have still managed to win just once in their 13 all-time away matches against LAFC (D4 L8), though this one may be their most heartbreaking.