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• USA overpowers Jamaica to advance to Nations League semis with 5-2 aggregate win

  The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) showcased their attacking prowess on Monday night in St. Louis, defeating Jamaica 4-2 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final. With a 1-0 victory in Kingston last Thursday, the Americans secured a comprehensive 5-2 aggregate win, eliminating the Reggae Boyz from the competition.

  The home side wasted no time asserting dominance, with Christian Pulisic leading the charge. The AC Milan star opened the scoring in the 14th minute, converting a pinpoint cross from Weston McKennie. Pulisic doubled the lead in the 33rd minute, latching onto McKennie’s delivery and finishing off a well-worked team move.

  Ricardo Pepi extended the advantage in the 42nd minute, turning sharply on the edge of the box before slotting home a precise shot past Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake. With a commanding 3-0 halftime lead, the USMNT were firmly in control, having enjoyed 70 per cent possession and limiting Jamaica to just two attempts in the opening 45 minutes.

  Jamaica found a glimmer of hope early in the second half when Demarai Gray netted his first of two goals in the 54th minute. The former Leicester City attacker capitalized on poor defending to cut the deficit to 3-1.

  However, the Americans responded just two minutes later, with Timothy Weah delivering a thunderous finish off a Yunus Musah cross to restore the three-goal cushion at 4-1. Gray struck again in the 68th minute, converting a rebound from Renaldo Cephas’ initial effort, but Jamaica struggled to mount a sustained comeback as the USMNT’s depth and tactical organization shone through.

  Pulisic’s brace and McKennie’s two assists underlined the dominance of the Americans, who controlled possession and consistently tested Jamaica’s defense. The midfield duo of McKennie and Yunus Musah orchestrated play beautifully, while Timothy Weah and Ricardo Pepi added further dynamism in attack.

  USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino utilized his substitutes effectively, bringing on Cade Cowell and Brandon Vazquez to maintain the intensity late in the game. Gianluca Busio and Brenden Aaronson also entered to secure the result, allowing the Americans to cruise into the semifinals.

  For Jamaica, the defeat highlighted defensive lapses and an inability to sustain possession under pressure. Demarai Gray was the standout performer, scoring both goals for the Reggae Boyz, but the team was often on the back foot, particularly in the first half when they completed just 57 passes compared to the USMNT’s 277.

  Jamaica’s head coach, Steve McLaren, will need to address these shortcomings as the team shifts focus to upcoming competitions. Despite their elimination, the Reggae Boyz showed glimpses of promise, particularly through Gray and Renaldo Cephas, who forced a save that led to Gray’s second goal.

  The United States advances to the semifinals of the Nations League, aiming to defend their title with confidence after another dominant display. For Jamaica, the focus now turns to regrouping and building on the positives from their campaign.

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Olympians Campbell, Pinnock and Ricketts, express gratitude and optimism following JOA Olympic Salute

  Jamaican Olympians Rajindra Campbell, Wayne Pinnock, and Shanieka Ricketts have expressed heartfelt gratitude and renewed determination after being celebrated at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Olympic Salute, held at the Terra Nova Hotel on Saturday night. The event not only honoured their historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics but also unveiled plans that promise to make their Olympic journeys smoother in the future.

  Campbell, who made history as Jamaica’s first Olympic medalist in the shot put with a bronze-medal throw of 22.15m, received JMD$1 million for his remarkable feat. He described the evening as a pivotal moment that brought closure to his Olympic experience.

  “Last night (Saturday) was special. I definitely feel like now that the ceremony has taken place, I can say the Olympic experience is now complete,” Campbell said.

  “The plans for the next four years motivate me to get back into it and prepare with the relaxation that I won’t be fighting an uphill battle like I have been for the past couple of years. A lot of athletes like myself will benefit from the adjustments, preparations, and plans from the JOA. It’s definitely a tremendous feeling, and I appreciated the experience, the love, support, and what the JOA has done.”

  

  Pinnock, who claimed silver in the long jump, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of being recognized not just as an Olympian but as a medalist.

  “Last night (Saturday) at the Olympic Salute was an honour beyond words. Being a part of this incredible celebration, as both an Olympian and a medalist, is a moment I will cherish forever,” Pinnock said on Instagram.

  “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, my coach Travis (Geopfert), my agent Henry Rolle, and my PR manager Khimani Clarke, all of whom have been integral to my success.” Pinnock was awarded JMD$1.5 million for his stellar performance in Paris.

  For Ricketts, who also won silver in the triple jump and became the first Jamaican woman to medal in the event at the Olympics, the recognition was particularly meaningful as her family was there to share in the moment.

  “I had a fabulous time at the JOA Olympic Salute last night. It was truly heartwarming to be honored at home, especially with my family present to share the experience,” she said. Like Pinnock, Ricketts was awarded JMD$1.5 million for her achievement.

  The evening was not only a celebration of their successes but also a launch pad for future growth. JOA Secretary General Ryan Foster announced a JMD$250 million investment plan for the next Olympic cycle, which includes funding for athlete scholarships, equipment grants, coaching development, and travel support.

  For the Olympians, the acknowledgment and the unveiled initiatives were affirmations of their hard work and dedication. With the financial and structural support promised for the future, Campbell, Pinnock, and Ricketts expressed optimism about what lies ahead, motivated to continue pushing boundaries and making Jamaica proud on the world stage.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Michael Johnson optimistic about bright future for field events amid rise of track-centric meets

  Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, the founder of the upcoming Grand Slam Track (GST) series, is confident that field events will not be sidelined despite the emergence of track-only competitions like GST and September's all-woman Athlos NY meet. Instead, Johnson envisions a future where field events flourish in their own right, buoyed by specialized leagues and platforms.

  Grand Slam Track recently announced its inaugural season for 2025, with meets scheduled in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. As excitement builds for the all-track format, concerns have surfaced about the potential marginalization of field events like the shot put, discus, javelin, and triple jump. However, responding to a query from Sportsmax.TV, Johnson dismissed these fears, offering a compelling case for optimism.

  “I think you will see quite the opposite,” Johnson said. “Ryan Crouser, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the shot put, is going to start his vision for a throws league that is specifically for the throws where the fans who actually appreciate those events and understand the great athleticism that is required for those events can actually be closer to the action. And so those events don’t fall secondary to what’s happening on the track, and I have offered my support to Ryan for that.”

  

  Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and former 200m and 400m world record holder, pointed to Crouser’s initiative as an example of how specialized leagues can elevate field events.

  “So I don’t think you will see those events continue to go away. I think it’s the exact opposite,” Johnson continued. “I think that there has been inspiration around how you now create leagues for those events as well, where you can make those events more prominent.”

  Field events have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with Caribbean athletes making significant strides on the global stage. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott and Grenada’s Anderson Peters have won Olympic and World Championship medals in the javelin. Jamaica's Roje Stona set an Olympic record to win gold in the discus, with compatriot Rajindra Campbell claiming shot put bronze. Dominica’s Thea LaFond made history by winning her country’s first Olympic medal, a gold in the triple jump, ahead of Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts, a two-time World Championship silver medalist.

  Johnson believes specialized leagues and tailored events are key to ensuring that these athletes and their disciplines receive the recognition they deserve.

  “Right now, they’re getting lost in a huge stadium where fans far away can’t actually see and appreciate the athleticism,” Johnson explained. “So I think that this [Grand Slam Track] paves the way for a brighter future for the field events.”

  Grand Slam Track’s inaugural season promises to bring a fresh, dynamic format to track events, while Johnson’s endorsement of field-event-specific leagues highlights his broader vision for athletics as a sport. With initiatives like Crouser’s throws league on the horizon, Johnson’s optimism reflects a shift toward creating dedicated platforms for all disciplines to shine.

   The 2025 GST series, set to kick off with a meet in Kingston from April 4-, marks an exciting evolution for the sport. As Johnson’s vision takes shape, the future appears brighter not just for track athletes but for the field-event stars whose talents deserve a stage of their own.