Bailey headlines Boyz 23 for Gold Cup
There are no real surprises in the Reggae Boyz 23-man squad for the Concacaf Gold Cup slated for the USA July 10 to August 1.
While there are a few newcomers, all have debuted for the country. Some, of course, will be participating in their first Gold Cup.
The squad, missing Watford FC striker Andre Gray and West Ham frontman Michail Antonio for one reason or another, will be headed by Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.
The squad includes nine English-born players.
Before kick-starting their campaign against Group C rivals Suriname on July 12, the Boyz will participate in a nine-day camp, which was scheduled to start yesterday in Orlando, Florida.
Most players were expected to report to camp yesterday, with others set to join their teammates by today.
“Based on engagements of some of the invited players for their respective clubs, some will arrive after July 2,” the governing Jamaica Football Federation said.
Head Coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore is said to have stated that “one of the main objectives of the camp is to fine-tune the synergy and chemistry of the squad”.
Jamaica, who have come within one victory of the Gold Cup crown in 2015 and 2017, will also have Central American powerhouse Costa Rica in the group, plus a team still to qualify from the preliminary tournament which kicked off yesterday in Fort Lauderdale.
In a push to broaden support staff as the Boyz look to lift their first Gold Cup title, the team has added another equipment manager, additional physical trainer and masseuse, plus a performance video analyst.
Squad: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Dennis Taylor (Humble Lions), Dillon Barnes (Queens Park Rangers), Damion Lowe (Al Ittihad Alexandria), Lamar Walker (Miami FC), Adrian Mariappa (Bristol City), Liam Moore (Reading FC), Oniel Fisher (LA Galaxy), Alvas Powell (Philadelphia Union), Kemar Lawrence (Toronto FC), Amari’i Bell (Luton FC), Michael Hector (Fulham FC), Daniel Johnson (Preston North End), Devon Williams (Miami FC), Blair Turgott (Ostersunds), Leon Bailey (Bayern Leverkusen), Junior Flemmings (Birmingham Legion), Bobby Reid (Fulham FC), Tyreek McGee (Eupen), Cory Burke (Philadelphia Union), Shamar Nicholson (Charleroi), Javon East (Santos de Guapiles), Ravel Morrison (unattached).
Officials: Gregory Daley (head of delegation), Theodore Whitmore (head coach), Paul Hall (assistant coach), Merron Gordon (assistant coach), Warren Barrett (goalkeeper coach), Lamar Morgan (physical trainer),Jason Henry (physical trainer), Roy Simpson (team manager), Bersha Cole (team doctor), Garone Brown (masseur), Rory Rhoden (masseur), Kevin Christie (physiotherapist), Norman Stone (equipment manager), Omar Folkes (equipment manager), Sanford Carabin (performance video analyst).