MBU officials hail call-ups for Boyz squad

WESTERN BUREAU:

Call-ups for five Montego Bay United (MBU) players to the national squad in preparation for the Reggae Boyz third-round fixtures in the 2016-2017 Caribbean Cup have delighted club officials.

The club's front line trio of Dino Williams, Owayne 'Turtle' Gordon (on loan to Indy Eleven of the North America Soccer League), and Alan Ottey, along with defender Ladale 'Bully' Richie and team captain Dwayne Ambusley were recently invited to join the new-look Reggae Boyz unit, as the Jamaica Football Federation, still smarting from the country's failure to advance to the final-round World Cup qualifiers looks to shake things up.

"The five players from the champion club are testimony of what we have been doing," Sandra Christie, MBU's operations manager said.

She said that the history that MBU represents, especially in the past five seasons - copping two national league titles on the back of three consecutive finals appearances - is testament of the direction of the club.

MBU, in recent seasons, have also been strong contenders in the Caribbean Football Union championship. The club also made its debut in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they did creditably well.

"That these five players have been invited to the national squad is indication in and of itself that we are on the right track as a club," Christie told The Gleaner.

WESTERN FOOTBALL STRONG

"It is also significant for western Jamaica football, which, at one point, dominated the national football landscape," she added. According to her, "Some people still believe that the national team is strong when western Jamaica's football is strong."

She said Richie was, in particular, was delighted with the invite. The defender has been outstanding in the MBU defence over the past three or more seasons, but just could not force his way into the national team. But now she says the player is looking to seize the opportunity.

The Reggae Boyz will have as head coach Theodore Whitmore, the man who guided them to the 2010 title. Jamaica are the defending champions.