Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz depart the island today and will be hoping for an improved showing on their last outing when they face Honduras at the BBVA Compass Stadium, in Houston, Texas, on Thursday.

Match time is 7:30 pm (8:30 pm Jamaica time).

In their last friendly international in chilly Chattanooga, Tennessee, 11 days ago, the Boyz went down to hosts USA 0-1, in a performance widely regarded to be one underpinned by courage and commitment, but lacking in finesse in key schooling areas of the game.

But as head coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore has admitted, his new-look team is a work in progress.

In the final 20-man roster released by the Jamaica Football Federation, the New York Red Bulls left-sided defender Kemar Lawrence has been named. Lawrence was a late withdrawal from the squad for the US game due to an injury.

But there are two changes as Real Salt Lake midfielder Omar Holness and Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell have been replaced by Harbour View midfielder Fabian Grant and Portland Timbers 2 midfielder Andre Lewis.

The last time Jamaica, now ranked 77th by FIFA, and Honduras, who are 12 places above them, met was in a 2014 World Cup qualifier in October 2013, at the national Stadium. That game ended 2-2.

But the last friendly meeting between the two occurred in 2011, where Honduras won 2-1. Jamaica’s last victory over Honduras came in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup where Jamaica won 1-0, courtesy of a Ryan Johnson goal.

Thursday’s friendly will serve as vital preparation for the Boyz as they look to defend their Caribbean Cup title and their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign, while the Central Americans are readying for crucial Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers in March.

Squad — Romario Williams, Andre Lewis, Damion Lowe, Oniel Fisher, Shamar Nicholson, Kevon Lambert, Fabian Grant, Kemar Lawrence, Dwayne Ambusley, Ladale Richie, Michael Binns, Ewan Grandison, Ryan Thompson, Je-Vaughn Watson, Cory Burke, Jourdain Fletcher, Andre Blake, Sergio Campbell, Rosario Harriott, Owayne Gordon.