Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy faces a potential competitive crisis as visa complications threaten to derail their historic CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign. The Caribbean Cup champions await confirmation of their Round of 16 opponents, with sporting director Paul Christie warning that logistical challenges could severely compromise team strength if paired against LA Galaxy.
The St Ann-based club earned direct qualification to the tournament’s knockout stage after their December victory over Dominican Republic’s O&M in the Caribbean Cup final. Their upcoming opponents will be determined following a February playoff between Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy and Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito.
Should Galaxy advance, Mount Pleasant would travel to California for the first leg at Dignity Health Sports Park in mid-March. Christie revealed this scenario presents formidable obstacles, as several key players from Trinidad, Haiti, and other Caribbean nations lack necessary U.S. travel documentation.
“Our squad composition creates unique challenges,” Christie told local media. “Approximately five Jamaican internationals and several Haitian players—who are absolutely critical to our system—currently don’t possess U.S. visas. We’ve received no substantive support in addressing this pressing matter.”
The club’s efforts have included multiple appointments at the U.S. Embassy, all unsuccessful thus far. While Jamaica faces no specific visa restrictions, heightened entry requirements for Haitian nationals following the 2025 U.S. presidential election affect midfielders Daniel Saint-Fleur and Johnson Jeudy, plus forwards Rafa Intervil, Clifford Thomas, and Angelo Exilus.
Christie emphasized the national significance of their participation, stating: “This transcends club football. We’re representing the Jamaican brand on an international stage. Government intervention at the highest levels could determine whether we field a competitive squad.”
With approximately six weeks remaining before potential travel, time becomes an increasingly critical factor. The sporting director acknowledged assistance from Sports Minister Olivia Grange but stressed that broader diplomatic engagement is urgently needed.
Mount Pleasant seeks to become the first Jamaican club to advance beyond the Round of 16 in the prestigious continental competition. Their qualification marks the second time in three years a Jamaican team has reached this stage, following Cavalier FC’s previous appearances against MLS opposition.