Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes gave Jamaican fans something special to cheer about on Friday night when the two MLSers led the Reggae Boyz to a 2-1 comeback win over South American side Venezuela in a friendly in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Jamaica trailed early after former New York Red Bulls defender Gabriel Cichero put the visitors in the lead in the 13th minute.
But just two minutes later, Houston Dynamo forward Barnes -- making his debut for Jamaica after filing paperwork with FIFA to change his official representation from England -- leveled the score with his first international goal.
In the 59th minute, Vancouver Whitecaps forward Mattocks notched the winner, his seventh international goal, after some defensive work from FC Dallas defender Je-Vaughn Watson, who picked up an assist on the play.
The victory is the second for Jamaica in six games against Venezuela, and sets a good tone as they prepare for this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONMEBOL Copa América. The Jamaicans will be one of two guest teams in the South American championship, along with Mexico.
The Reggae Boyz face Cuba in a friendly on Monday.
Jamaica - Duwayne Kerr; Adrian Mariappa, Wes Morgan, Jermaine Taylor (Daniel Gordon 61), Kemar Lawrence; Je-Vaughn Watson, Rudolph Austin (Hughan Gray 78), Joel McAnuff, Garath McCleary (Romeo Parkes 92); Darren Mattocks (Joel Grant 66), Giles Barnes (Dino Williams 84).
Venezuela - Daniel Hernández; Roberto Rosales (Alexander González 82), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Fernando Amorebieta, Gabriel Cichero; Franklin Lucena (Josef Martínez 46), Tomás Rincón, Mario Rondón (Alejandro Guerra 46), Christian Santos (Ronald Vargas 60); Juan Arango, José Salomón Rondón (Richard Blanco 88).
