US fail to sparkle in friendly draw with Jamaica

CARY, North Carolina, Apr 12 (Reuters) A depleted US side played out a 1-1 friendly draw with Jamaica in a last chance for the American players to impress coach Bruce Arena before he announces his preliminary World Cup squad.

The match was played yesterday in the intimate setting of an SAS Stadium filled to its 8,093 capacity. Arena is set to name a 35-man preliminary pool of players on Wednesday before trimming the squad to 23 early next month for the tournament in Germany.

A largely experimental Jamaica side took a shock lead in the fourth minute through Teafore Bennett.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts threw the ball to Jermaine Hue who released Bennett down the left side and the striker rounded goalkeeper Tony Meola before slotting home from nine metres.

The goal marked a poor start to the evening for Meola who was making his 100th international appearance and first since 2002 but the three-times World Cup veteran was barely tested after that.

The US equalised in the 25th minute through Ben Olsen.

Landon Donovan's quickly taken free kick found Olsen inside the penalty area and his low, left-foot shot deceived Ricketts on its way into the net.

Ricketts did well to parry a header by Chris Albright from a Donovan free kick in the 55th minute and Albright tested the keeper again in the 75th minute with a firm header.

Donovan was the one US midfielder to impress, New England Revolution team mates Pat Noonan, Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman struggling throughout.

Jamaica nearly grabbed a winner in the 84th minute when substitute Newton Sterling shot wide from 16 metres.

The hosts' best chance to seal victory came deep in stoppage time when a Donovan free kick was headed away.

REUTERS SHR BD0801