In the last game before Coach Bruce Arena announces his 2006 World Cup roster, the USA tied Jamaica, 1-1, Wednesday night in Cary, N.C.
The Americans gave up a goal to Teafore Bennett of the USLÆs Virginia Beach Mariners in the fourth minute but got an equalizer from Ben Olsen in the 25th minute.
The result kept the USA undefeated against Jamaica with a 9-0-8 record.
''Obviously, it was a very poor start on our part and I was disappointed about giving up a goal in the first four minutes,'' said Arena. ''Give Jamaica credit, they took advantage of that opportunity. On the night, I thought they gave a great effort.''
Arena will announce a preliminary squad of 35 World Cup candidates on Wednesday.
With his start in goal, Tony Meola became just the ninth player, and first goalkeeper, in U.S. history to hit the 100-cap plateau. Following is a list of most appearances for the national team by U.S. goalkeepers: Meola, 100; Kasey Keller, 91; Brad Friedel, 82, Arnie Mausser, 35; Mark Dodd and Tim Howard, 15.
''Tonight for me was just a great night,'' said Meola. ''I did it with a great group of guys that really appreciated it — the first 99 as much as they appreciated tonight. They let me know about it all week. We joked a lot about it. Apparently, I'm 67 years old instead of 37 according to them, and 1988 was 100 years ago, not 18. It was great. I am just so happy that I was able to be part of it.''
April 11 in Cary, N.C.
USA 1 Jamaica 1. Goals: Olsen 25; Bennett 4.
USA — Meola, Albright, Pope, Hejduk, Ralston (Dempsey, 55), Olsen, Mastroeni, Donovan, Noonan (OÆBrien, 67), Wolff (Johnson, 46), Twellman (Ching, 46).
Jamaica — Ricketts, C.Davis (Demar Stewart, 29), Reid, Daley, Damion Stewart, Morrison (Richards, 59), Campbell-Ryce (Dawkins, 61), Hue, Stephenson (Thompson, 71), R.Johnson (Johnson, 71), Bennett (Sterling, 62).
Yellow cards: USA — Pope 28; Jamaica — Daley 34, Reid 74.
Referee: Jorge Gasso Flores (Mexico).
Att.: 8,093.