Empire State Review Team 
St. Louis, MO – On June 3, 2025, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) is gearing up for their final friendly match of the May/June international window, taking on Jamaica at Energizer Park in St. Louis. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm Eastern (5:00 pm Pacific) and marks an important opportunity for the team to fine-tune their preparations as they move closer to upcoming competitive fixtures.
The USWNT enters the match following a dominant 3-0 victory over China, where the squad showed a strong combination of experienced players and emerging talent. The win highlighted the team’s excellent cohesion and sharp performance, with standout contributions from both veteran players and newer faces making their mark. The victory over China was a positive sign for head coach Vlatko Andonovski, as he continues to build toward the team’s long-term goals, which include success at future international competitions.
Jamaica, on the other hand, arrives in St. Louis with a youthful and less experienced squad, significantly weakened by the absence of their star player, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. Shaw, who is widely regarded as one of the top forwards in women’s football, is sidelined due to injury, leaving the team without one of its most influential players. Despite this, Jamaica will be led by defender Allyson Swaby, who will captain the team in Shaw’s absence. This leadership transition comes at a critical time as the Jamaican team looks to build momentum ahead of their future competitions, particularly with an eye toward the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Head coach Hubert Busby, who has been instrumental in guiding the Jamaican team, will also be missing from the sideline for this friendly, as he is unable to attend due to personal matters. In his absence, the Jamaican squad will rely on their assistant coaches to lead them through the match, which provides both a challenge and an opportunity for the team to adapt in difficult circumstances.
While the absence of Shaw and Busby creates additional hurdles for Jamaica, the USWNT is also taking this match seriously, aiming to continue developing their squad’s depth and tactical flexibility. The friendly offers Andonovski a final chance to assess player performances in real match conditions before they enter the next phase of their competitive schedule. Players vying for spots in the starting lineup will be looking to prove their readiness, and the friendly provides an ideal setting to experiment with different formations and strategies.
For the U.S., this game represents more than just another international friendly—it is a chance to build on their winning momentum and solidify their status as one of the top teams in the world. Following the China victory, Andonovski expressed his satisfaction with the team’s collective effort but emphasized the need for continuous improvement. “We still have areas to work on, but the win against China was a step in the right direction,” he said after the match. “We need to maintain our focus and stay sharp, as we prepare for the challenges ahead.”
The match against Jamaica will likely see the USWNT test a variety of tactical approaches, as they look to exploit the inexperience of their opponents. The U.S. squad’s technical prowess, combined with a wealth of depth, should give them the advantage on paper, but the dynamic nature of international friendlies often brings unpredictable results. For Jamaica, this is an important opportunity to gain valuable experience and build chemistry among their younger players, who will play a key role in the nation’s future success on the international stage.
With both teams preparing for the challenges ahead, fans can expect an exciting and competitive match. The USWNT, having showcased their strength in the previous friendly against China, will be looking to maintain their winning form, while Jamaica will aim to pull off an upset despite the hurdles they face. As the game approaches, the focus will be on the development of both teams as they look ahead to their respective international commitments.
