Giles Barnes will be coming back to Houston a little early after Jamaica was eliminated from advancing out of Group C with a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.
El Tri will also be coming to Houston for their final group stage match against co-leaders Venezuela on Monday for the Group C title. Jamaica finishes their Copa América run on Monday against Uruguay—also winless this tournament—at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez put Mexico up in the 18th minute, expertly heading home a cross from 10 yards out. Jamaica had their chances to equalize, mostly from the feet of Clayton Donaldson, including a run off a flicked-on header from Barnes, but the Reggae Boyz couldn't convert. Their chances went up in smoke in the 81st minute, as Oribe Peralta's left-footed strike hit off the inside of the post and in for the 2-0 lead.
Mexico ensured their advancement to the quarterfinals with the win, but will play for first place in the group and the subsequent seeding in the knockout rounds against Venezuela next week.
