Local coaches examine Gold Cup squad

Molynes United head coach Calvert Fitzgerald says that the final Gold Cup roster provides a glimpse into the possible make-up of Jamaica’s team for the start of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.

The final roster was released recently and sees the return of several core players to the fold, including national goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake, Leon Bailey, Shamar Nicholson and Kemar Lawrence, who have either not played in international friendlies this year or since 2019.

However, players such Watford’s Andre Gray and Swansea City’s Jamal Lowe, who made their debuts this year as well as as West Ham’s Michail Antonio, were left out of the squad.

Antonio was still in the process of obtaining a Jamaican passport.

Fitzgerald says that given the circumstances surrounding Antonio and other English-born players whose documents have not been finalised, the current group of players could be charged with getting Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying campaign off to a positive start.

“What I’m thinking is that probably this is the squad that we are going to see start the World Cup qualifying and probably we can introduce people where we the needs arise,” Fitzgerald said.

GOOD BALANCE

In spite of the omissions, Fitzgerald says that the team has a good balance and is particularly excited to see free agent Ravel Morrison in action.

“I would have loved if Ravel Morrison was in a consistent state of football because you know that can only make you better,” Fitzgerald said. “But (I think) the coach (Theodore Whitmore) sees the quality in him and if he is fit, he can really go on the pitch and produce something special.”

Arnett Gardens head coach Alex Thomas is particularly pleased with Cory Burke’s inclusion, given the visa situation that resulted in him being away from his club team the Philadelphia Union for over a year. Additionally, he is looking forward to seeing Tyreek Magee, who was named to his second Gold Cup squad.

“He is a quality creative midfielder that you need in your team. That is what we are short on in our Jamaican (set-up), that creative player and that is the quality that Tyreek Magee has and I’m delighted to see him in the Gold Cup,” Thomas said.

Jamaica have made it to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup in each of the last three editions, which included back-to-back finals in 2015 and 2017.

Fitzgerald says that while they need to maintain discipline throughout this run, he believes that this team has the ability to finally lift the Gold Cup trophy.

“I think this might be our best opportunity but we have to go there and show it on the pitch,” Fitzgerald said.

Jamaica open their campaign against Suriname on July 12 in Orlando, Florida.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com

Full Squad List

Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)

Dennis Taylor (Humble Lion)

Dillon Barnes (Queens Park Rangers)

Liam Moore (Reading)

Javon East (Santos de Guapiles)

Cory Burke (Philadelphia Union)

Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen)

Alvas Powell (Philadelphia Union)

Oneil Fisher (LA Galaxy)

Amari’i Bell (Luton FC)

Bobby Reid (Fulham)

Tyreek Magee (K.A.S. Eupen)

Blair Turgott (Ostersunds)

Damion Lowe (Al Ittihad Alexandria)

Lamar Walker (Miami FC)

Michael Hector (Fulham)

Daniel Johnson (Preston North End)

Ravel Morrison (Unattached)

Kemar Lawrence (Toronto FC)

Adrian Mariappa (Bristol City)

Devon Williams (Miami FC)

Shamar Nicholson (FC Charleroi)

Junior Flemmings (Birmingham Legion)