Majors Takes Charge of CONCACAF Caribbean Cup Final
IslandStats.com
Mount Pleasant FA of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, are the 2026 CFU Club Shield champions, defeating Delfines del Este FC of the Dominican Republic 1-0 in Sunday's final at the Ato Boldon Stadium. A goal from Shaquiel Bradford in the 52nd minute sealed the win.
With both teams already assured of places in the 2026 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, the match began cautiously as each side sought to gain the upper hand. Delfines del Este created the first clear opportunity in the eighth minute when captain Christopher Almonte unleashed a swerving effort from distance that narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
Adding distinction to the occasion, the match was officiated by Bermuda’s FIFA referee Amaury Majors, he became the first Bermudian to do a Concacaf Caribbean Cup Final.
It marked Majors' first major final at this international level—a milestone appointment that reflects years of dedicated work and progress within the regional refereeing ranks.
The Dominican Republic side kept pressing. Jhon Ramos Mata delivered a dangerous cross to Emmanuel Gomez, but a last-ditch intervention by the Mount Pleasant defense kept the forward from getting a decisive touch. Moments later, Gomez's close-range effort was deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner, Aries Bonita Balanta escaped his marker but headed wide.s
Mount Pleasant gradually settled into the contest and began creating chances of their own. Trayvone Reid forced goalkeeper Pedro Espinal Almonte into a save with a well-struck free kick in the 19th minute before testing the Delfines custodian again seven minutes later with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The Jamaican side continued to apply pressure, but the determined Delfines defense held firm to keep the score level heading into halftime.
Mount Pleasant emerged with greater intent after the restart. Kyle Ming should have given his side the lead in the 50th minute, but his free header failed to trouble Almonte. The breakthrough came shortly after when Bradford reacted quickest to turn home the rebound after Almonte parried Christojaye Daley's initial shot.
Daniel Green came close to doubling the advantage after being picked out unmarked at the back post by a well-delivered cross, but he fired wide.
Delfines’ head coach Jose Rodriguez turned to his bench in search of an equalizer, but Mount Pleasant continued to control possession and dictate the tempo. As the Dominican Republic side committed more players forward, the Jamaicans almost punished them on the counterattack in the 80th minute, only for Tajay McIntosh and Bradford to squander a numerical advantage.
McIntosh threatened again three minutes later, narrowly missing the target after connecting with a cross from Ricardo Thomas.
Mount Pleasant, the defending Concacaf Caribbean Cup champs, remained composed through the closing stages, successfully protecting their one-goal advantage to secure a historic 1-0 victory and lift the 2026 CFU Club Shield trophy at the final whistle.
