MCALLEN, USA — They set out to create history, and the current crop of senior Reggae Girlz is on the verge of achieving that feat.

In fact, they are only one win away from qualifying for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France, which would see them becoming the first Caribbean team to do so. But to get there they will have to upstage defending champions United States in Sunday’s semi-final of the Concacaf Women’s Championship, or win the third-place play-off next Wednesday.

The Girlz, holding on to number 64 in the world rankings, will face the world’s number one ranked United States in Frisco, Texas, with the winner securing a spot in France and a berth in the Concacaf Women’s Championship Final scheduled for Wednesday.

For now though, the Jamaicans are basking in their 9-0 thumping of Caribbean neighbours Cuba which saw them securing second place in Group B on six points, behind Canada, who ended on maximum nine points following their 3-1 win over Costa Rica.

Captain Konya Plummer, who has led the Reggae Girlz well from the back, was overwhelmed by the progress of her troops thus far.

“It is an awesome feeling knowing that we are currently in a good situation. each and every player went out there and did their part in ensuring that we got this far, but the job is still not finished and we just have to regroup and come again.

“We are very much aware that once we put in the hard work we will be rewarded and I guess we are being rewarded now, so we are looking forward to the semi-final. we know we have to play the game and so we just have to go out there and do our best,” Plummer told the Jamaica Observer in a post-game interview on Thursday.

The Reggae Girlz ended the group stage with 10 goals, while conceding two against Canada and left-back Lauren Silver —who has been one of the strong links in the defensive chain — was pleased with that effort.

“I think every game presents its own challenges and we have to solve them as a team so I think we went into today’s (Thursday’s) game and did what we had to — we got some goals and a lot of players on the ball. So I am glad that we got that done with and we are moving on to the next round.

“Coming off this one is really good because it gives us a good momentum going forward, going up against the United States. So we are focused on that assignment but we will just take it in stride as we go along,” Silver noted.

“I was in the last cycle and we didn’t even make it through the group stage, and now I am here and we have advanced. So I am happy to be a part of this group and I am also excited for the girls to get the opportunity to play a team like the United States and also have a chance to qualify for the World Cup,” she added.

For midfielder Jadyn Matthews, who recently transitioned from the Under-20 set -up, the experience of competing against some of the world’s best players is second to none.

“It feels really great to be here; I never thought this would happen. I came in a little bit nervous but I really feel like I am part of a really good team and I am so excited that we are about to make history, and I am just grateful to be a part of it,” Matthews reasoned.

“I got to play with some great players, older players who are obviously helping me to become a better player.

“So I am excited, I think we are going off (to Frisco) on a great note. each game we get better and better and we learn from our mistakes, so I feel like we are going to have a great semi-final game and show the people what we can do,” she continued.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old midfielder Giselle Washington, who, along with Jody Brown, 16, is the two youngest players in the team, echoed similar sentiments.

“It is an amazing experience to play with people who are older than I am and have more experience than I do. They keep pushing me to do my best and encouraging me to keep working hard and [to always]know that I still have more to offer. So it is amazing being a part of such a great thing that’s happening, it is unbelievable,” she beamed.

Finally, Sashana “Pete” Campbell, who had a brace in the final group contest, is cognisant that they still have some work to do heading into a tougher game.

“I think tonight we went out there and did just enough to get the job done. it wasn’t our best performance and there are a lot of things we need to tighten up on going into the semi-final. However, I think the team is happy and looking forward to the next round, but we know that we have to be even more focused and not take anything for granted,” she shared.