CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee — Even though they didn’t get the win they would have wanted, Jamaica’s repurposed Reggae Boyz have taken heart in their performance against a resolute US team in a friendy on Friday in wintry Chattanooga.

With their focus now on rebuilding for the future, the Jamaicans’ 0-1 loss to the hosts at Finley Stadium did not carry that sinking feeling normally associated with defeat as the bigger picture comes into view.

Montego Bay United midfielder Owayne Gordon, who started the game, admitted that his participtaion opened up a whole new world for him.

“It was a great experience playing against the USA, plus it was a quick pitch and it was cold, but it is this kind of climate we have to get used to if we are going to play football at the higher level.

“Another thing, a lot of our players have never played on an astro turf before, so that was another factor that was new to some of our players,” he told the Jamaica Observer after the game.

Gordon hailed the discipline of his teammates, even after going behind on the scoresheet.

“Among the positives from this game is that we kept our shape and our focus and didn’t get carried away when we went one-nil down, and that was a good sign,” he said.

Atlanta United FC striker, Romario Williams, says he is pleased with the overall effort.

“I think, given the circumstances, having been together for only a couple of days and the kind of weather that most of the local-based players face, that they are not accustomed to, I think the team went out there and gave their all and we are pleased by the individual work and collectively as a team, so this is something we can build on,” said the former Harbour View attacker.

Meanwhile, central defender Damion Lowe, who partnered with Sergio Campbell in the heart of the Jamaican defence, said he was a bit rusty at the start of the contest, but improved as the game went on.

“I think it was a good game from me personally considering that I am just going into preseason… I was a little bit rusty, but I got into my own and executed well by winning my duels,” said the Tampa Bay Rowdies player.

Lowe, the son of former Reggae Boy Onandi, believes the team’s performance went a long way in changing opinions about the current group of players.

“It’s a big step for us because there were a lot of doubts going into the game from a lot of people as some thought that we would have been trampled by the USA.

“But we stuck together as a team and, yes, we played a good US team, because if you looked at the names out there, you see world-class players as (DaMarcus) Beasley played in a number of World Cups and (Michael) Bradley in a couple, and when you look at Chad Marshall and Brad Evans, you saw a lot of exeperience out there,” said Lowe.

The Boyz’ next assignment is a Friendly International against Honduras in Houston, Texas, on February 16.

— Sean Williams