In a strategic move to bolster player development, Jamaica’s national football team is set to clash with Grenada in an international friendly match on January 18th at St. George’s. With the fixture scheduled outside FIFA’s official international window, interim head coach Rudolph Speid has assembled a 24-player training squad predominantly featuring domestic talents and North American-based professionals, as many regular starters remain committed to club obligations.
Coach Speid clarified that while this encounter aligns with the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) enduring commitment to nurturing local talent, it does not directly form part of the preparatory agenda for March’s critical FIFA Intercontinental play-offs in Mexico. The Reggae Boyz are slated to confront New Caledonia in the semi-finals, with victorious progression potentially securing a showdown against DR Congo for a coveted spot in this summer’s FIFA World Cup finals.
Nevertheless, Speid emphasized the match’s significance as a proving ground for athletes aspiring to secure positions in the upcoming Mexico training camp. “We’ve consistently organized this developmental fixture over the past three to four years,” Speid stated during a Wednesday press briefing. “Our involvement in World Cup qualifiers hasn’t altered that tradition. However, the stakes are undoubtedly elevated now, as exceptional performances could earn players consideration for playoff squad selection.”
The current training initiative commenced on Wednesday and will conclude Friday, followed by another intensive session next week preceding the team’s departure. The definitive roster for the Grenada encounter will be finalized thereafter.
Speid highlighted the match’s particular importance for homegrown players seeking international experience. Simultaneously, the JFF is actively negotiating additional friendly matches in February to optimize preparations for the Intercontinental play-offs. The interim coach revealed ambitions to compose a 60-player squad for next month’s training camp, having already identified 52 candidates while continuing scouting operations to complete the remaining eight positions.
Squad Composition for Grenada Friendly:
Goalkeepers: Kemar Foster (Mount Pleasant), Tafari Chambers (Mount Pleasant), Daniel Russell (Portmore United)
Defenders: Christopher Ainsworth (Cavalier), Javain Brown (Real Salt Lake), Damion Lowe (Houston Dynamo), Ronaldo Webster (Shkendija), Stephen Young (Portmore United), Kyle Ming (Mount Pleasant), Fitzroy Cummings (Mount Pleasant), Robino Gordon (Phoenix Chapelton)
Midfielders: Adrian Reid Jr (Cavalier), Shamar Watson (Cavalier), Dwayne Atkinson (Rhode Island), Andre Lewis (Spokane Velocity), Tyreek Magee (Mount Pleasant), Jahshaun Anglin (Mount Pleasant), Jaheim Thomas (Arnett Gardens), Nickyle Ellis (Racing FC)
Forwards: Romario Williams (Indy Eleven), Trayvon Reid (Harbour View), Daniel Green (Mount Pleasant), Jourdain Fletcher (Montego Bay United), Warner Brown (Mount Pleasant)