‘A GREAT VIBE’ - Jamaica Observer

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Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren (right) issues instructions to members of Jamaica's senior football team during a training session at the National Stadium on September 5, 2024. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

A majority squad of local-based players will get the chance to impress the coaching staff in two friendly games against Caribbean neighbours Trinidad and Tobago. The first one of these is being played today at the Montego Bay Sports Complex as preparations kick off for the qualifying for the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Head Coach Steve McClaren called up a squad comprised mainly of players from the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) for the two-game series which will also see the teams meeting at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Kingston on Sunday.

McClaren said yesterday’s session at the Montego Bay Sports Complex was the first time they had the full squad together but he liked the “energy” and said there was “a great vibe about them and we are on the grass, which is where we want to be”.

He hinted that there could be players from the top teams in the starting line-up.

“Individually, the players have got to impress, they have to do well,” he said. “What I have said to them is that to impress they have to do well as a team.”

That might be harder that it seems, he said.

“Sometimes it’s difficult because of cohesion and players coming from different clubs, but we will try to pick a team that is cohesive in certain areas and hopefully being part of squads going forward.”

Jamaica will take a four-game unbeaten run against Trinidad into today’s game, winning 1-0 and drawing 0-0 the last time the two met in March 2024, and the home team will have fond memories playing them in Montego Bay where they defeated Trinidad and Tobago to win the 2014 Caribbean Cup and secure qualification to the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Jamaica, who are the second-seeded team in the Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers after losing in the quarter-finals of the Nations League to the USA, are set to face St Vincent and the Grenadines in a home and away series in March to get into the Gold Cup, set to be played between June and July.

JPL leaders Mount Pleasant FA has nine players in the squad, while defending champions Cavalier FC has six call-ups, including first-time invitee Jalmaro Calvin of Cavalier FC who represented Antigua and Barbuda as a junior.

Tyreek Magee, who recently signed with Vere Phoenix United, was a late addition to McClaren’s team that will also include Arnett Gardens’ Warner Brown, the JPL top scorer; Shaniel Thomas of Montego Bay United; and Richard King of Cavalier FC, who was part of the Reggae Boyz squad for the Concacaf Nations League.

The Trinidad and Tobago team, which will be coached by former international Dwight Yorke, will include four Jamaica-based players, a trio from Montego Bay United – Aaron Enill, Darnell Hospedales, and Josiah Trimmingham – as well as Mount Pleasant FA’s Nathaniel James.

Reggae Boyz Squad

Goalkeepers: Shaquan Davis (Mount Pleasant FA), Jahmali Waite (El Paso Locomotive), Benjamin Williams (Portmore United), Joshua Grant (New York Red Bulls).

Defenders: Richard King (Cavalier), Jeovanni Laing (Cavalier), Christopher Ainsworth (Cavalier), Gadail Irving (Mount Pleasant FA), Robino Gordon (Vere United), Kyle Ming (Mount Pleasant FA), Fitzroy Cummings (Mount Pleasant FA), Stephen Young (Portmore United), Sue-Lae McCalla (Mount Pleasant FA), Maliek Howell (Las Vegas Lights).

Midfielders: Jahshaun Anglin (Mount Pleasant FA), Demario Phillips (MBU), Romeo Guthrie (Portmore United), Dwayne Atkinson (Cavalier), Shamar Watson (Cavalier)

Forwards: Daniel Green (Mount Pleasant FA), Nathaniel Howe (Chapelton Maroons), Tyreek Magee (Vere Phoenix United)

Warner Brown (Arnett Gardens), Ranaldo Biggs (Racing United), Shaniel Thomas (MBU), Jalmaro Calvin (Cavalier), Kimoni Bailey (Mount Pleasant FA), Raheem Edwards (Mount Pleasant FA), Kimani Arbouine (Arnett Gardens).

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