AS Cavalier FC begin their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) and Concacaf Caribbean Cup title defence in the coming weeks they will have to do so without some core players who moved away during the transfer window. However, head coach Rudolph Speid says he’s relishing the rebuilding process and is determined to surpass the achievements of previous seasons.

Cavalier’s season officially kicks off next Tuesday when they take on Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic in their opening game of the 2025 Caribbean Cup. They will host Haiti’s FC Juventus on August 28 before starting their JPL campaign shortly after.

While experienced in both competitions, it’s set to be somewhat of a new territory for the club who have lost several key players over the past few months.

Scottish Premiership club have signed captain and defensive stalwart Richard King and talisman Jalmaro Calvin, Reggae Boy Dwayne “Busy” Atkinson signed with USL club Rhode Island FC, and forward Kaile Auvray’s contract expired. Defenders Alexavier Gooden and Ronaldo Barrett also moved on earlier in the year. In light of the departures, three-time JPL champion Speid says finalising this season’s approach is one of his most difficult since joining the club.

“I think [this season] will be much more difficult. Some of those players, we were thinking of retiring their numbers at the club based on what they would have done over the years,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I’m just looking to see what’s the most pragmatic style we can play this year so I haven’t sorted that out as yet, which is why I think I’m behind. In addition, we have some players that are auditioning and we trying to see if they fit what we want to do, so it’s not so straightforward this time — it’s a little bit more complexed. But we still have a lot of good players, though, coming from last season, and a couple of them we might have to change their position. All of it is a puzzle that we’re trying to solve; we haven’t solved it yet but we’ll make a decision and we’ll kind of zero in on what we want to do.”

The transfer window closes in the first week of September, which means Cavalier could lose more players if bids come in. However, Speid has no intention of forcing any player to stay.

“I never try to keep any player. If there’s something better for the player I’m the first one to encourage the move. If something comes in for one of them, I’m fine,” he said.

“You have to remember that we believe that we’re the club of opportunities for young players, so if one player leaves it gives other players the opportunity to shine — and that’s what we’re all about.”

Under Speid’s watch Cavalier have been one of the most consistent teams in the Caribbean since 2021, and despite the loss of key players heading into the 2025/26 season he’s looking forward to overcoming new hurdles.

“It makes my coaching job harder but we relish these things. There’s nothing more pleasing like when the battle is hot and everybody write you off, saying you can’t do it, and you’re able to prove them wrong,” he said.

“We’re fine with those challenges, it’s what make us better. You have to think, spend more time and effort, and come up with ideas of things that will work — and we always feel good when our plan works.”

Speid is striving to return to the Concacaf Champions Cup, a tournament he credits with opening doors for players like King and Calvin following their impressive performances against Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team last March.

“We’re a storied team now; a lot of people from overseas know Cavalier now. When you play against Inter Miami with one of the best players the world has ever seen, people start to take notice. I think they were able to measure our quality against a quality opponent, and had more confidence that if these players were able to play against those players [then] they can function in a better league,” said Speid.

“Every time I spoke with the St Mirren coach or one of the top peoples they would refer to what our players did, especially the game in Miami. The quality of opposition made it easier for them to gauge where our players are.”

Although no longer with the club, Speid is encouraging his former players to perform well at their new overseas clubs so as to give more opportunities for Jamaican talent.

“Cavalier have really started to set a footprint in Europe — [Ronaldo] Webster is playing and starting for one of the top teams in Macedonia, Kaheem Parris [in Azerbaijan] is still valued at 600,000 euros, Kenroy Campbell in Serbia and Ronaldo Barrett [in Portugal],” he said.

“I wouldn’t just put the burden on Calvin or King [in Scotland], all six from Cavalier need to put their best forward and pave the way for others to come, both Cavalier players, Jamaican players and Caribbean players.”

Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin (right) and Arnett Gardens’ Shane Watson challenge for the ball during the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League first-leg semi-final match at Sabina Park in Kingston on May 5, 2024. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Former Cavalier player Richard King

SPEID… we still have a lot of good players, though, coming from last season, and a couple of them we might have to change their position (Photo: Garfield Robinson)