Cavalier, Racing United in crucial JPL face-off
KINGSTON, Jamaica- Defending champions Cavalier SC and promoted Racing United will clash on Thursday in the first game of a rescheduled third-round double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, in a game set to kick off at 5:00 pm, that could determine both teams’ play-off fate.
Cavalier SC are in fifth position on 57 points and lead a group of four teams, seeking to complete the top six qualifiers for the play-off, where they would join Montego Bay United, Arnett Gardens and Portmore United.
Racing United, having already secured a second straight season in the JPL, ending a trend that saw three consecutive seasons where promoted teams were relegated after just one season, are in the race for those two places, in eighth place on 48 points, and have lost their last two games.
Meanwhile, in the first game, leaders and semi-final qualifiers, Mt Pleasant FA could secure the ‘league title’ if they could beat third-placed Arnett Gardens for a second straight time this season.
Cavalier SC, unbeaten in their last five Premier League games, will be going after a first win over Racing United this season, losing their first meeting and then drawing the second round game.
The Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions came from two goals down in their last game to earn a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Harbour View FC, and will have to step up their game against a fearless Racing United team, which was competitive in their last two games—- losses to Mt Pleasant FA and Montego Bay.
With their place in the league safe, Racing United will have nothing to prove and could take the game to Cavalier SC, who have struggled to win games and get results of late.
Arnett Gardens are winless in their last four games, during which time they conceded seven goals, and are five points behind second-placed Montego Bay United and an automatic semi-final spot.
Mt Pleasant FA are on autopilot, and coach Theodore Whitmore has been able to rotate his squad, playing a number of teenagers and still managing to get wins.
The St Ann-based team have racked up a staggering 81 points with another four games still to go after Thursday’s outing.
-Paul Reid
