Boyz aim to assemble ‘strong’ squad for US friendlies
National striker Dino Williams of Montego Bay United and Rodave Murray of Waterhouse FC both missed yesterday’s Reggae Boyz’s training session after being ordered to rest for at least a week.
Both players were involved in the session when their clubs met on Sunday, and Jamaica’s team manager, Roy Simpson, told the
Jamaica Observer they complied with the clubs’ request.
“It was after the round of games on Sunday that both of their clubs informed us that they were carrying injuries prior to and their respective team doctors advised that both players should use this week to do rehabilitation work and recover from not major injuries,” said Simpson.
“We agree, and from that we have brought in Kevaughn Lambert from Montego Bay and Jeremy Lynch, who is here from a break in the USL (United Soccer League),” he added.
Also turning up for yesterday’s training session at the Stadium East field was New York Red Bull’s Kemar Lawrence, who was out for sometime after picking up an injury while representing Jamaica in Copa America Centenario last June.
Jamaica are in preparation mood for the upcoming Caribbean Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup and will play two friendly games against the USA and Honduras on February 3 and 16, respectively, on American soil.
A local squad of 23 players are in camp with the brunt of the overseas-based players expected to be available, but only if they are released by their clubs seeing that the match dates are not official FIFA date
“With regard to the composition of the squad for the international friendlies next month, it is not a FIFA date so the clubs are not obligated to release any players to us,” Simpson explained.
“But we have a good partnership with respective clubs and are in dialogue with them, in particular the MLS players who are going back into preseason,” he noted.
“The discussions from the clubs are that they will be two weeks into preseason prior to the start of the game, so hopefully, how they equipped themselves in the preseason, they will be released to us,” said Simpson.
He continued: “With regards to the players in Europe, again it’s not a FIFA date, but we are hoping with the goodwill that we have with the clubs and the commitment because players have indicated that they are willing to come and they will also aid us by speaking to their respective clubs.”
Based on all indications, Simpson is confident that the Boyz will be able to field strong squad for both friendly matches.
“Therefore we are positive that we will have a strong team for both games considering that it is not a FIFA date. But it (team) will be dominated by local players who are in camp,” the team manager noted.
Meanwhile, a number of first-time invitees have been called to the camp. They are Barbican FC goalkeeper Nicholas Campbell, who just transferred from Maverley; defenders Roberto Johnson and Kareem Manning of Portmore United; hard tackling defender Romaine Breakenridge and holding midfielder Tevin Shaw of Tivoli Gardens.
The Red Stripe Premier League top goalscorer with nine goals Shamar Nicholson of Boys’ Town has also been included, along with teammate Jamiel Hardware, who spent the last few seasons overseas. Jovan East of Portmore United, who scored that wonderful volley against Arnett Gardens last season, is also in the squad, so too Rohan Richards of Jamalco FC.
The squad: Jacomeno Barrett (Montego Bay United), Shaven Paul (Portmore United), Nicholas Campbell (Barbican United), Dicoy Williams (Arnett Gardens FC), Ladale Ritchie (Montego Bay United), Damano Solomon (Portmore United), Rosario Harriott (Harbour View FC), Romaine Brackenridge (Tivoli Gardens), Kareem Manning (Portmore United), Jamie Robinson (UWI), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United), Andrew Vanzie (Humble Lion), Dwayne Ambusley (Montego Bay United), Tevin Shaw (Tivoli Gardens), Owayne Gordon (Montego Bay United), Rohan Richards (Jamalco FC), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay United), Shamar Nicholson (Boys’ Town FC), Rodave Murray (Waterhouse), Javon East (Portmore United), Jamiel Hardware (Boys’ Town FC), Dino Williams (Montego Bay United).