Jamaica
How they qualified
Jamaica went into the CONCACAF Nations League qualification competition after just missing out on the Hexagonal stage of World Cup Qualifying. They won their first three games, but were left thankful for their superior goal difference, gained from a 4-0 win over Cayman Islands and a 6-0 win in Bonaire, after losing in El Salvador, qualifying 8th in the standings.
Tournament record
Jamaica have had a mixed record when it has come to the Gold Cup, performing well in some tournaments and bottoming out badly in others. Up until 2015, their best performances had been losing Semi-final efforts against Mexico where, in truth, they were outplayed.
Since then, they have played in the final of the last two tournaments, beating the USA in the Semi-finals in 2015 and Mexico at the same stage in 2017, only to lose to the other team in the final
Star Men
Darren Mattocks (pictured) is Jamaica’s top scorer in the Gold Cup, having scored two each in 2015 and 2017, including a goal in the final in 2015. He has 17 goals for his country and will be expected to add to his international tally in the Gold Cup.
Je-Vaughn Watson has represented Jamaica in their last three Gold Cups, leading by example in Midfield and scoring the goal that levelled things up against the USA in 2015. This might be his last Gold Cup, so he will want to go out a winner at the fourth time of asking.
Manager
Theodore Whitmore is a legend of the Jamaican game, having played for 11 years for the Reggae Boyz and being a part of the 1998 World Cup squad, including scoring two goals in their 2-1 over Japan. He has been part of the Jamaican set up as either a head coach or assistant for over 12 years and has previously led the team to the final of the Gold Cup in 2017, so he has a wealth of experience and has built a strong side with a good mix of youth and experience
What can we expect?
After finishing as Runners-up in the last two tournaments, the expectation will be there to get back to a third successive final, particularly with having the advantage of playing their opening game against Honduras in Kingston. Progression through the group is the first step, with further progression depending on who they play in the Quarter-finals, but they’ve proved they can do it before.
Schedule
17 June – Jamaica v Honduras
Venue: Independence Park, Kingston
21 June – Jamaica v El Salvador
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston
25 June – Jamaica v Curacao
Venue: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Andre Blake 21-11-1990 Philadelphia Union
Dwayne Miller 14-07-1987 Syrianska
Amal Knight 19-11-1993 UWI
DEFENDERS
Jamoi Topey 13-01-2000 Bethlehem Steel
Michael Hector 19-07-1992 Sheffield Wednesday
Alvas Powell 18-07-1994 FC Cincinnati
Shaun Francis 02-10-1986 Louisville City
Damion Lowe 05-05-1993 Start
Kemar Lawrence 17-09-1992 New York Red Bulls
Kevon Lambert 22-03-1997 Phoenix Rising
MIDFIELDERS
Andre Lewis 12-08-1994 Portmore United
Leon Bailey 09-08-1997 Bayer Leverkusen
Ricardo Morris 11-02-1992 Portmore United
Je-Vaughn Morris 22-10-1983 Oklahoma City Energy
Peter-Lee Vassell 03-02-1998 Los Angeles FC
Tyreek Magee 27-08-1999 Harbour View F.C.
Devon Williams 08-04-1992 Louisville City
STRIKERS
Dever Orgill 08-03-1990 Ankaragücü
Maalique Foster 05-11-1996 Rio Grande Valley Toros
Darren Mattocks 02-09-1990 FC Cincinnati
Shamar Nicholson 16-03-1997 Domzale
Junior Flemmings 16-01-1996 Phoenix Rising
Brian Brown 29-12-1992 Reno 1868 FC