Portmore United edge Cavalier on penalties to win Jamaica Premier League crown

Portmore United captured the 2025-26 Jamaica Premier League title on Sunday night, defeating defending champions Cavalier 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 final at the National Stadium. The victory gave the St. Catherine-based club its eighth league crown.

The result also reversed last season's outcome between the clubs, when Cavalier beat Portmore in the quarterfinals before going on to lift the trophy. Portmore entered this final with confidence, having avoided defeat against Cavalier in their three regular-season meetings.

Portmore made the early breakthrough in the third minute through in-form attacker Ronaldo Robinson. Cavalier responded in the 26th minute when teenager Kemarley Scott, who had also delivered in the semifinals, punished a goalkeeping error to bring the match level.

Scott struck again in the 42nd minute, sending Cavalier into the halftime interval with a 2-1 advantage. Portmore, however, found a way back 15 minutes after the restart, with Tariq Zimme Naze scoring the equaliser to make it 2-2.

Neither side could produce a winner in extra time, leaving the championship to be decided from the penalty spot. Cavalier failed with their fourth attempt, while Portmore converted all five kicks to complete the title-winning shootout.

Portmore's camp said the triumph meant plenty after years of trying to return to the top of local football, adding that it was important for the wider community to share in the occasion.

Cavalier assistant coach David Lalor said the absence of Rudolph Speed, who was away on national duty with the Reggae Boyz at the Unity Cup, made the assignment more difficult. Lalor said the team still performed creditably and that the younger players should benefit from the experience next season.

In the third-place playoff, Mount Pleasant defeated Montego Bay United 3-2 to qualify for the CFU Club Shield. Angela Ximines scored twice for Mount Pleasant in the 41st and 86th minutes, while 16-year-old Jabari Howell added their other goal in the 83rd. Brian Brown scored for Montego Bay United in the 66th minute, and Je-Vaughn Brown netted in the 85th.