ONLY three clubs in the history of Jamaica’s top flight have won consecutive titles. Mount Pleasant Football Academy have the chance to join that prestigious list today when they take on Cavalier at the National Stadium in the ‘Super Final’ of the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), this evening at 6:30 pm.

Mount Pleasant secured their first-ever JPL title last season under former Reggae Boyz Head Coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore. Mount Pleasant, who only gained promotion to the league in 2018, can match the feat of FC Reno, Arnett Gardens, and Portmore United as the only clubs to win back-to-back trophies.

This season they finished top of the league table for the first time with the best defensive record (15 goals conceded in 26 games), and beat Waterhouse in the two-legged semi-finals to book their spot in the final.

Midfielder Demario Phillips credited his team for improving on the standards set last season.

“In a group, you have injuries, form that drops, very difficult times, but our additions have been good because they came in and put in the extra work for those who aren’t performing,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “It’s just a team — together each one achieves more — and that’s what we’re doing.”

Whitmore also believes the directness with the players prevented the team from becoming complacent.

“It [wasn’t] a difficult task [to make it to the final]; I think the players understood our objective,” he said. “What we try to do at Mount Pleasant, we try to be honest with the players — we don’t try to ‘BS’ them — so they know why they are playing and why they aren’t playing. Not all the time they are comfortable with it but they understand and they respect it.”

Despite being on the verge of history many have questioned the club’s heavy investment in the players and staff by owners Peter and Amanda Gould. However, Whitmore says they have the blueprint that every local team should follow.

“We don’t watch the noise of the market,” he said. “What I would like to see is other clubs doing what Mount Pleasant is doing. I think Montego Bay United have started, and that’s going to make the football in Jamaica better. Players are going to be seen on a different platform and the national team is going to be stronger, so I don’t see it as a bad thing. We want other clubs to step up and invest like what the Goulds are doing.”

Last season Mount Pleasant went unbeaten against Cavalier, winning twice in their three matchups including the 2-1 in the final. However, this season’s head to head has seen Cavalier winning 2-1 last December and Mount Pleasant winning 2-0 in March.

The final usually brings different expectations but Whitmore says his team will approach the game normally.

“I don’t see us doing anything different,” he said. “We’ve been together for nine months so I don’t see why for one game we would change. What we’ve been doing this week is having fun. The players enjoyed themselves and relaxed, and that’s about it.

“It’s always great to be winning titles — and Sunday’s game is no different — but there’s no pressure. We don’t want to put ourselves under any pressure, because since we’ve arrived at this club we have achieved some things and we plan to do more, so there’s no added pressure on winning the title again.”

Phillips missed out on last year’s celebrations after being on international duties with the Reggae Boyz. However, the 25-year-old is eager to make an impact for his team this time around.

“I’m very motivated because without performing you can’t get a pick [to the national team], and there are a lot of overseas-based players there, so I just have to go out there and showcase what I have,” he said.

“It has been a good season for us; we haven’t lost a game since 2023. We lost three games last season and we didn’t plan to lose any more. This season has been the same. We’ve only lost three games, and we don’t want the final to be the fourth one so we’re going for the win. One of my only goals that I’ve scored, it was in the final against Harbour View in 2022. I’m looking for a goal and I need this trophy.”

Mount Pleasant, captained by Sue-Lae McCalla, will be without defender Shaquille Dyer through suspension but the rest of the squad is fit and available for selection, including national defender Jamoi Topey.

Semi-final hero Devonte Campbell is expected to provide an attacking threat, along with Daniel Green and Kimoni Bailey who have a combined 16 goals this season. Forwards Shaqueil Bradford (10 goals), Oquasso Chong (seven) and Atapharoy Bygrave (two) are also at Whitmore’s attacking disposal.