The Windy City of Chicago hosted the first match of the 2016 America's Cup group stage in Group C. The national teams of Jamaica and the representative of South American football, the Venezuelan team, competed against each other.
The game started at an active pace. Both teams tried to threaten the opponent's goal with quick attacks. Already in the first ten minutes of the meeting, the players were marked by sharp attacks at the front gate, in which the Jamaican players were more successful. First, on the 10th minute, Cleton Donaldson shot dangerously from the corner of the penalty area, but the South American goalkeeper parried the blow. After that, the Venezuelans were saved by the crossbar after a corner kick. Ji-Wojin Watson hit his head, but shook the crossbar.
Then the unchanging football rule worked. The Jamaican footballers, who failed to realize their chances, conceded. In the 15th minute, Joseph Martinez delivered an accurate shot from outside the penalty area. Venezuela took the lead 1-0.
In the 23rd minute, the Jamaica national team suffered personnel losses. Rodolphe Austin was sent off for a gross violation. The Venezuelans could not realize their numerical advantage. The first half of the meeting ended with a minimal advantage of the South Americans.
In the 49th minute of the second half of the meeting, the Jamaican footballers again missed an excellent chance to score. Michael Hector shot on goal, but this time the Venezuelans were saved by the post.
South American footballers were able to respond only in the 71st minute, when, after a corner, Angel Wilker ferried the ball into the corner of the goal. Jamaican goalkeeper Blake played effectively and efficiently - after his jump into the corner, the ball was deflected.
Until the end of the match, the score on the scoreboard did not change. Venezuela's national team had more control over the ball during the game, but the opponents responded with sharp counterattacks. The teams struck three shots on target of the opponent's goal, the number of common shots on goal was 14 against 10 in favor of the Venezuelan national team. Thus, the nominal guests of the match scored the first three points in the tournament.
