Whitmore calls seven youngsters to training
THE Reggae Boyz go into action again on November 17 when they face Costa Rica in a return friendly in Fort Lauderdale.
This encounter falls just 10 days before Jamaica begins the defence of their Digicel Caribbean Cup title in Martinique on November 27.
It will therefore provide an excellent opportunity for the technical staff to assess the players’ match readiness as well as observation of the players against one of CONCACAF’s heavyweights in different conditions from their last encounter.
The Reggae Boyz last played Los Ticos on home soil in Jamaica on September 5 and won 1-0. It will be a greater test to play away.
This match, like all international friendly matches in this pre-World Cup qualifying period, will be used by the technical staff to continue to look at players with the aim of deciding on the best combinations and to have varying options available for an active period in 2011.
The technical staff is aiming for Jamaica to defend the DCC title successfully and go on to the Gold Cup in 2011. In addition, the team will be engaged in a number of international friendly matches in 2011.
National Senior coach Theodore Whitmore has called a local-based training squad to prepare for the Jamaica-Costa Rica friendly and the DCC finals. The camp will be held November 1-4. The foreign-based talent will be considered in the final selection for the game.
Of note is the inclusion of seven players currently in the Under-20 Squad preparing for the CONCACAF stage of the Under 20 World Cup qualifiers.
Of these, Sergio Campbell, Craig Foster and Jhamie Hyde are called to a national Senior squad for the first time. Of note is the return of Ricardo Morris from St James High. Morris was called to the Senior Camp in January to prepare for the international friendly against Canada, but was taken out after the discovery of a cardiac problem. He has since undergone successful surgery.
The full squad reads: Andre Blake (Sporting Central); Duwayne Kerr (Portmore United); Richard McCallum (Waterhouse); Adrian Reid (Portmore); Dicoy Williams (Harbour View): Troy Smith (Village United); Richard Edwards (Harbour View); Keamar Daley(Tivoli Gardens); Dever Orgill (St Georges FC); John Ross Edwards (Harbour View); Ricardo Cousins (Portmore United); Andre Clennon (Waterhouse); Obrian Woodbine (Reno): Dino Williams (Village United); Evan Taylor (Reno).
The Under 20 players invited are: Sergio Campbell (Clarendon College); Devon Williams (St. Georges College); Jhamie Hyde (Kingston College); Oneil Fisher (St. Georges); Ricardo Morris (St. James High); Craig Foster (Reno); Allan Ottey (St. James). Marvin Morgan (St. Georges College and Boys Town) was invited but will not be a part of the camp as he is off the island.
