Hallgrimsson hears call for Magee return

MIDFIELDER TYREEK Magee has received his first international call-up in more than a year after he was named to the Reggae Boyz squad to face Guatemala in a friendly on Saturday at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.

The 24-year-old, who currently plays for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the United Soccer League (USL), last played for the national team in June of last year in a Concacaf Nations League game against Suriname in Suriname, where he played 71 minutes.

Although he was in the squad for the two games following that, again, against Suriname and Mexico, he was never used.

It is also the first time the former Jamaica College star has been called up by coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, and with the Reggae Boyz struggling with a lack of creativity in midfield, Magee has been one of the players local fans have been demanding to see included in the squad.

According to one member of the technical staff, who spoke off the record, the call-up is an opportunity for Magee and other players to make big impressions in a bid to become part for the World Cup qualification squad.

The technical staff member said the game against Guatemala was only a practice game, and that the main assignment was the Reggae Boyz Concacaf Nations League first-leg match against Canada next Friday inside the National Stadium.

However, he said this was a window of opportunity for some players like Magee, Trayvone Reid, and Shaqueil Bradford, who have been recommended to Hallgrimsson, to prove their capabilities.

The Jamaicans in the squad departed the island yesterday.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Amal Knight, Jahmali Waite

Defenders: Richard King, Lamonth Rochester, Kyle Ming, Damani Osei, Jamoi Topey, Jon Bell, Javain Brown

Midfielders: Devon Williams, Demario Phillips, Tyreek Magee, Trayvone Reid, Ramone Howell, Deshane Beckford

Forwards: Romario Williams, Maalique Foster, Shaniel Thomas, Shaqueil Bradford