LOS ANGELES, California — Versatile wide player Oniel Fisher has passed a fitness test and will be available for Theodore Whitmore’s Reggae Boyz when they face Mexico today in their CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament semi-final fixture at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Fisher, who started all three Group C games, but was a forced substitution after 65 minutes in the third against El Salvador due to a strained right hamstring, was taken through a rigorous routine by physical trainer Lamar Morgan prior to the start of yesterday’s training session at Stubhub Center, in Carson.

He sailed through the routine and joined his teammates in physical activities for the rest of the morning.

He was heard telling team doctor Ivor O’Connor that he felt good and that there was no pain. However, he was not included on any of Whitmore’s first teams during the tactical session.

But it has been quite noticeable that the diminutive player, who is often used on either flank at wing back or midfield, is a tireless runner who’s almost as fresh at the start of games, as he is at the end.

He puts it down to proper preparation.

“Just work, just put in the extra work,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “Sometimes when the team is not doing anything I get myself up and do a little bit extra in the morning or whatever time I have to do it to keep myself in shape. I will do the gym, I’ll run, stretch, and just keep the body in shape so that, whatever the case is, I am ready at any given time.”

The former St George’s College Manning Cupper, who now plies his trade at Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer (MLS), is thrilled to be back in the national set-up, after a seven-year absence.

“My last call-up was when I was 17, and it was “Tappa” who gave me the call. I’m glad to be back and we need to get on the right track, and I think once we stay together and keep the focus everything should be good for us,” he said ahead of today’s match against the defending champions.

Now in his third season after being drafted by Seattle, Fisher attended Tyler Junior College in Texas for two years before moving to New Mexico from where he was drafted.

He told the Observer that the experience gained playing in MLS has been great and he was enjoying every minute of it as he continues to learn and develop as a player.

“It has been good so far, a lot of experience playing against quality players, and I feel I’ve learnt a lot in this time being at Seattle and being in the MLS. I’ve grown quite a bit and I just want to continue to grow and learn more about the sport and the profession.”

Fisher, who is unlikely to see playing time today, all thing considered, was modest when quizzed about his versatility and the position he prefers.

“That one kind of tough still, I don’t know,” he said. “I just feel like whereever the coaches need me on the given day I just embrace it and go out there and say, ‘this is where I can help the team today, so I’m going to do what I have to do and try my best to help the team’.”

He noted that he is often used as a right back or left back in Seattle, but is also comfortable in midfield, where he is sometimes employed.

“I play right back or left back… back, then I used to play midfield with Harbour View, and I had success playing there, so I know the ins and outs a little bit… I kind of lost a little bit of my attacking flair because I’ve been playing at the back, but I’m just happy to be here and being a part of the national programme and to help in any instance that I can, whether I’m coming off the bench or not,” he ended.

— Ian Burnett