Jamaica 1, Panama 1 in Friendly

Jamaica played to a 1-1 tie against Panama in an exhibition game on Monday night at the National Stadium in Jamaica. It was the first home game for new technical director Bora Milutinovic's and his young Reggae Boyz squad.

Panama struck early with a goal three minutes into the game. A superb pass split the Jamaican defenders giving Luis Garces a blistering close-range strike pass Whittaker in goal. The Boyz, boosted by the inclusion of Ricardo Gardener in midfield and Luton Shelton in a striker’s role, quickly recovered and went into action creating some good opportunities for Jamaica.

Missing at least two clear chances to equalize, the Boyz kept the momentum going with good movements off the ball and winning the midfield battles. Jamaica finally pulled level in the 45th when a Ricardo Gardener corner was headed on by Lovel Palmer to Lunton Shelton who scored a brilliant goal to end the half.

In the second half, Jamaica continued their domination of Panama, showing good chemistry and skill along with some purposeful attacks. At the final whistle the score remained unchanged with Jamaica getting 13 shots on goal to Panama’s Panama 9. Jamaica had 5 corners to Panama’s 1 and committed 18 fouls to Panama’s 25.

Jamaica: Richard McCallum, Allien Whittaker, Ricardo Gardener, Xavian Virgo, Oneil Smith, Jermaine Taylor, Christopher Harvey, Mario Harrison, Adrian Reid, Nicholy Finlayson, Demar Phillips, Mario Swaby, Fabian Davis, Donald Stewart, Lovel Palmer, Keneil Moodie, Donavan Davis, Fabian Taylor, Luton Shelton, Horace Howell, Andre Redwood, Kavin Bryan. Read more in the forum

A Visit to The Reggae Boyz Practice session

I stopped by the Lockhart Stadium to watch new look Reggae Boyz in their Wednesday morning practice session. The game against Switzerland will be the second game for newly appointed technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic who guided Jamaica to win the Lunar New Year Cup in Hong Kong last month.

The players went through some light drills on a half field with two full sized goals. A lot of emphasis was on positional play with Bora stopping the session constantly to stress what he was trying to convey. He is a coach that gets involved with the plays, runs around with the players and stays on top of the action. The players seemed pretty relaxed and went through the session without anything impressive or outstanding. They also worked on some set plays and corners.

I had a chance to chat with the ever cool but hard working Howie Bell, team manager for the Reggae Boyz. He indicated that the team chemistry has been good and that all the players are working hard. Bell said he noticed an overall spirit of optimism with the players and that even the NPL players seems energized with the arrival of Bora.

The team that is going up against Switzerland is composed of about 8 under 23 players, Taylor the u23 captain, Reid, Moody, Virgo, Harrison, Finlayson, Davis and Powell, which are amoung the core that they are building on. Other players not on this trip includes Pierce, Morrisey, Plummer who were on the Hong Kong trip, Shelton, Priestly, White and Nathan Koo–Booth absent for various reasons. When Jamaica plays Panama, Bell expects that Bora will juggle the players some more as he is constantly evaluating them. He said the goal is 2010 and that is why the focus is on this age group. Bell thinks that Bora is a good choice and says that organization and unity is constantly stressed to the players. Bell would like to see the team able to create more scoring opportunities and better finishing and that all players should be capable of scoring, not just the forwards. He highlighted Taylor as a player that has shown the ability to score important goals.

I also met Bora and struggled to understand him verbally. I must credit the players as they seemed to understand (i hope) what he was conveying to them on the field. In response to my question on his impression of the players, Bora said he was happy with them, happy with the spirit they are showing, that they have more than lived up to his expectations. He likes the progess and is expecting much more improvements from them.

When asked about the deficiency of the team and what needs the most work, he immediately said “everywhere, as all areas must be strong and no single area is better than the other...this is why they will train hard to make the team better”. On his views on Jamaica he said “so far he was happy, everyone has been nice and everything is going ok”.

On my way out, I had a brief chat with Crenston Boxhill, President of the JFF. He said that he is very confident that they made the right choice in Bora and was happy that they finally got him. He made a good point that sometimes the public expects too much too soon and that many fans are not looking at what they are trying to achieved in the long term.

See More pictures on TheReggaeBoyz.com Forum

Reggae Boyz squad named to face Switzerland

Following yesterday’s round of play in the Wray & Nephew National Premier League the following squad has been selected to represent Jamaica against Switzerland in a friendly international game on Thursday, March 22 at the Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale.

Richard McCallum -Waterhouse -G.K.
Allien Whittaker – JDF- G.K.
Xavian Virgo -Boys Town -Defender
Oneil Smith -Boys Town -Defender
Jermaine Taylor - Harbour View – Defender
Christopher Harvey -Harbour View - Defender
Mario Harrison -Reno - Defender
Adrian Reid - Portmore - Defender
Nicholy Finlayson - Reno - Defender/Midfielder
Demar Phillips –Waterhouse -Defender/Midfielder
Mario Swaby – Portmore - Defender/Midfielder
Fabian Davis -Tivoli Gardens -Midfielder
Donald Stewart - Harbour View - Midfielder
Lovel Palmer - Harbour View - Midfielder
Keneil Moodie – Seba --Midfielder
Donavan Davis -St. George’s FC - Forward/Midfielder
Fabian Taylor - Harbour View - Forward/Midfielder
Horace Howell - Tivoli Gardens - Forward
Andre Redwood – JDF - Forward
Kavin Bryan Harbour View Forward

The squad features 16 of the 20 members of the recently successful Lunar New Year Cup team. Fabian Davis and Keneil Moodie have been included in this squad. Christopher Harvey who last represented Jamaica at the U-23 level in the 2002 CAC games in El Salvador has also been included along with Andre Redwood from the JDF who has been called to represent Jamaica for the first time. The team leaves the island on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 9:20am on Air Jamaica flight JM33. While in Ft. Lauderdale the team will train at the Lockhart Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:00pm.

For more football news visit TheReggaeBoyz forum
Get Unique Gifts at www.Cafepress.com/Iriejam
For video games visit www.AnyThingConnection.com

Players On The Move

Jamaican striker Luton Shelton will join English Premier League club Sheffield United from his Swedish first division club Helsingborg for a fee reported to be in the region of £2 million. The 21-year-old Shelton played an important part last season to help Helsingborg finished fourth in the Swedish league. He scored a total of 17 goals in 28 competitive matches including nine goals in 19 first-division matches. Shelton who started his career with Wray & Nephew National Premier League campaigners Harbor View FC is set to join his new club immediately. Read more on Shelton in the forum

Reggae Boys midfielder Omar Daley is reported to have signed a deal with Bradford City and is set to arrive in the UK once all the formalities have been completed. The 25-year-old Daley was granted a work permit and will join fellow Reggae Boys Donovan Ricketts and Jermaine Johnson at Bradford on an 18-month deal. Daley previously had stints at Reading and Preston in England and more recently the Charleston Battery in America's USL. Read more on Daley in the forum

Another Reggae Boy, Kari Stephenson, has joined Swedish club AIK Stockholm on a four-year deal. The 26 year old Stephenson played Manning Cup at Wilmer's and then Collegiate football at Williams College in the US, before being drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in the US Major League Soccer, and then Gutenberg's Aglet & Idrottssalskap (GAIS) in Sweden. Stephenson will begin pre-season training with his new Swedish club after passing his medical. Read more on Stephenson in the forum

Jamaican international Dane Richards was on Friday selected by Red Bull New York while while Omar Cummings was selected by Colorado Rapids in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft in Indianapolis. Read more in the forum

How They Shape Up for the JFF Presidency

After a year of disastrous performances by the Reggae Boyz, many soccer fans are questioning the ability of the current Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Crenston Boxhill to lead the national football program into the future. Along with the slow development of the Football Academy and elimination from the Digicel Cup, the current administration has come under fire as the national football program continues to slide. Boxhill is hoping that the recent hiring of Bora Milutinovic will prove to be the lifeline needed to bring back the confidence of the fans. With the JFF presidential election set for November 2007, the administration of Mr. Crenston Boxhill must take note of the possible successor to the presidency.

CAPTAIN HORACE BURRELL, senior vice-president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), has made it clear that he intends to run for the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation. Burrell, who was defeated by a margin of 54-49 by current president Crenston Boxhill on November 23, 2003, recently accepted an invitation to serve as a vice-president of the Clarendon Football Association (CFA), which many see as another indication of his intentions to run. Burrell previously served as president of the Jamaica Football Federation from 1994 to 2003 and was largely credited for guiding the Reggae Boyz's historic qualification to the 1998 World Cup Finals in France. During his reign, two other national youth teams qualified for World Cup Finals - the Under-17 in 1999 in New Zealand and the Under-20s two years later in Argentina.

CHRIS DEHRING, The managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for the JFF presidency. Dehring was appointed as managing director of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 by the WICB in 1999 and is credited as one of the principal architect of the Caribbean's quest to host the ICC Cricket World Cup. He was also a representative for the WICB in the commercial rights negotiations of US$550 million for ICC tournaments, including the ICC CWC in 2007, becoming the largest rights deal in cricket's history. Voice your choice in the forum

Boyz Score 2-1 win over Canada

The Reggae Boyz came from behind to beat Canada 2-1 in a friendly international at the National Stadium on Sunday. Luton Shelton and Demar Phillips scored two minutes apart late in the first half after Tomasz Radzinski gave the Canadians the lead in the ninth minute. It was a sweet victory for the Boyz as they avenged last month's friendly loss in Montreal. The victory also served as a moral booster for Jamaica who was recently eliminated from the Digicel Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying.

Jamaica's first goal came 35 minutes into the game when Omar Daley picked up the ball in defense and played it down the left flank to Phillips who in turn sent a nice cross to the onrushing Shelton to slam home from close range. Immediately after midfielder Jermaine Hue weaved pass four defenders and played the ball to Phillips, who finished with clinical accuracy for the winning goal.

The Reggae Boyz will next play Peru in an international friendly on November 15 at the National Stadium.
Jamaica - Richard McCallum, Damion Stewart, Oneil Thompson (Shavar Thomas 46th), Shane Crawford (Demar Phillips 26th), Xavean Virgo, Khari Stephenson (Fabian Davis 88th), Omar Daley, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jermaine Hue, Luton Shelton (Teafore Bennett 73rd), Ricardo Fuller.

Canada - Kenny Stamatopoulos, Kevin McKenna, Marco Reda, Patrice Bernier (Ali Gerba 77th), Paul Stalteri, Julian de Guzman (Martin Nash 58th), Tomasz Radzinski, Rob Friend, Mike Klukowski (Gabe Gervias 24th, Adam Braz 92nd), Atiba Hutchinson, Josh Simpson. Read more in the forum

Advertisment: Get Hotel and restaurant furniture from Indochine Hospitality Furniture and Accessories

Reggae Boyz crash out of Digicel Cup

Defending champions Jamaica failed to advance past the first round of the Digicel Caribbean Cup after defeating Haiti 2-0 at the National Stadium last night. The Reggae Boyz ended on six points, the same as Haiti and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), who defeated St Lucia by a healthy 8-0 margin to edge Jamaica on superior goal advantage.

Due to their embarrassing 2-1 loss to minnows St Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, it was the first time in five years that Jamaica failed to advance to the final round of the Caribbean Cup. This result has heightened calls for the resignation of the Creston Boxhill's administration as Jamaica continues to regress to new lows in the region. The quick exit also means that Jamaica will not participate in the next CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In a very lethargic performance, Jamaica's first goals came in the ninth minute from Seba's Wilfred Smith header on Garfield Reid's right-sided corner kick. The second came from Dawkins just after the half-hour mark, when he had an easy goal from inside the six-yard box, after goalkeeper Montrevil Frantzy failed to hold on to a hard shot by Fabian Davis.
In the first game, SVG thrashed St Lucia 8-0. Jamaica's team was Shawn Sawyers, Jermanine Taylor (Demar Stewart 46th), Oneil Thompson, Xavean Virgo (Damion Williams 77th), Garfield Reid, Fabian Davis, Shane Crawford (Demar Phillips 40th), Omar Daley, Fabian Dawkins, Wilfred Smith, Roland Dean. Read more in the Forum

Jamaica rout St. Lucia 4-0 in Digicel Cup

Jamaica opened their defense of the Digicel Cup with an unconvincing 4-0 win over St Lucia at the National Stadium last night.
Comprised mostly of local-based players, The Reggae Boyz got goals from Kevin Lamey, Wilfred Smith and Demar Phillips to take joint leadership of Group B with Haiti on three points.

In a scrappy performance against a very weak St. Lucia team, Jamaica scored all the goals in the first half and looked lost for ideas in the second.
Seba's Wilfred Smith got the Boyz off to a good start in the third minute when he scored from inside the box after goalie Giovanni Veterville failed to hold onto a Fabian Davis left-footer. In the 22nd minute Kevin Lamey got his long awaited international goal when he buried a pass from Waterhouse club mate Demar Phillip. Eight minutes later Phillips got the third when he scored a header from a left-sided corner. Lamey completed his brace by scoring again six minutes later.
In the curtain-raiser, a hot Haitian team crushed St. Vincent and the Grenadines 4-0 with goals from Josue Mayard. Jean Baptiste Fritzson, Jean Jascques and Herold Gracien.

The competition continues tomorrow at the same venue with Haiti vs St Lucia at 5:00 pm and Jamaica vs SVG at 7:00. Read more in the Forum

Boyz kick off Digicel Caribbean Cup against St Lucia

The Reggae Boyz kicks off their leg of the Digicel Caribbean Cup in a double header at the National Stadium today. In the curtain-raiser at 5:00 pm, Haiti takes on St Vincent and the Grenadines followed by Jamaica against St. Lucia.

Interim head coach Carl Brown, who was reappointed last month following the resignation of Wendell Downswel will be in charge of the team as they begin their defence of the Cup. It will also be the first time that Jamaica will be playing at the "Office" in over 20 months.
The team will be made up mainly of local based players and is expected to advance from Group D, dubbed the "{group of death". Brown is concerned with the strikers at his disposal and will have to choose from Kevin Lamey, Rohan Reid, Roland Dean, Wilfred Smith and Fabian Dawkins. In addition, overseas-based players Omar Daley, Shane Crawford, Sean Fraser and Fabian Dawkins, were called up for the game.

The winner and runner-up advance to the next phase, with the finals set for Trinidad early next year. The 2006/07 Digicel Caribbean Cup winners will earn a first prize of US$120,000. The full squad is: Shawn Sawyers, Richard McCallum, Demar Stewart, Jermaine Taylor, Xavian Virgo, Fabian Davis, Garfield Reid, Shane Crawford, Oneil Thompson, Omar Daley, Demar Phillips, Jason Morrison, Damion Williams, Sean Fraser, Fabian Dawkins, Roland Dean, Wilfred Smith, Kevin Lamey. Read more in the Forum

Canada 1, Jamaica 0

The Reggae Boyz went down 0-1 against Canada in an international friendly played at Montreal's Claude Robillard Stadium. A goal in the 41st minute by Rob Friend gave Canada the edge in a game that both teams could make valid claims for victory.

The Reggae Boyz, playing without many of their top players made a number of mistakes in the first half. In the 38th minute, Friend had to be helped from the field after coming up on a hard tackle from defender Damion Stewart at the edge of the penalty area. Stewart was cautioned by the Costa Rican referee Walter Quesaba on the play. Minutes later, Friend headed a lobbed ball from midfielder Julian de Guzman over a stranded Shawn Sawyers and into the Jamaican goal.

Jamaica played a much better second half especially with the introduction in the 64th minute of Omar Daley and Dawkins replacing Demar Phillips and Kevin Lamey. Daley along with Cambell-Ryce played some good combinations and in the 68th minute the Reggae Boyz were unlucky not to have the equalizer. Teafore Bennett was unfairly judged to be offside after scoring a rebound off goalkeeper Greg Sutton.

The game was watched by 6,500 mostly pro-Canadian with a small but vocal group of Reggae Boyz supporters. Both teams will meet in a return match in Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 8. More in the Forum

Reggae Boyz Suffer Big Loss to England

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz lost 6-0 to England in an historic friendly international at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. A crowd of over 70 thousand watched in a party atmosphere as England capitalized on poor defending to win their final warm-up game before the World Cup Finals in Germany. Jamaica, coming off a 4-1 loss to Ghana was also weakened by the loss of striker Marlon King for a breach of discipline. Although outclassed, The Boyz seemed motivated and tried to put on a good show before the large crowd.

In the first five minutes, the Reggae Boyz launched a series of fast paced attacks that put England on the defensive. England quickly settled and started to dominate possession. Eleven minutes into the game England struck first blow when Crouch heads down to Owen who steers the ball on for Lampard to score. The Reggae Boyz continued to concede goals giving up two own goals. David Beckham's free-kick was deflected into the net by Jermaine Taylor in the 17th and Crouch adding the third in the 29th off an Omar Delay's deflection. Jamaica's best chance of the half came from Jason Euell, whose powerful shot forced goalkeeper Paul Robinson to parry it wide. Jamaica's defense was again caught off guard as Michael Owen broke loose from a Rio Ferdinand long ball, and rounding goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, rolled the ball into an empty net to end the half 4-0.

Crouch scored his second goal in the 67th minute and completed his hat scoring an Owen's cross from the edge of the box in the 89th minute. Although outplayed for most of the match, Jamaica created a few chances of their own in the second half. Ricardo Fuller, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jermaine Hue and Luton Shelton all had outstanding moments in the game. The 6-0 score line is England's best result under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

England: Paul Robinson (David James, 46), Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole (Wayne Bridge, 36), Steven Gerrard (Stewart Downing, 77), Rio Ferdinand, John Terry (Sol Campbell, 33), David Beckham (Aaron Lennon, 67), Frank Lampard (Michael Carrick, 67), Peter Crouch, Michael Owen, Joe Cole. Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks, (GK: Blue, Blue, Blue)

Jamaica: Donovan Ricketts, Omar Daley, Damion Stewart, Claude Davis, Garfield Reid, Jason Euell (Khari Stephenson, 79), Jermaine Taylor (Shane Crawford, 46), Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jermaine Hue (Jermaine Johnson, 85), Ricardo Fuller (Teofore Bennett, 76), Luton Shelton (Deon Burton, 48). Yellow Shirts, Black Shorts, Yellow Socks, (GK Black and Grey/ Gold and Black). Read more in the forum

Read more on Jamaican football and the the Reggae Boyz

Stay Connected with Jamaica. Get Jamaican t-shirts

Ghana proved too strong for the Reggae Boyz

Jamaica's senior Reggae Boyz team lost the first of a two-match tour of England today when they went down 4-1 to Ghana at Leicester City's Walkers stadium. Ghana, winners of four African Cup of Nations titles proved too strong for the Reggae Boyz scoring two goals in the first half and two in the second half for a convincing win. Ghana took an early lead after just five minutes as Sulley Muntari pounced on a rebound and put it pass Ricketts in Jamaica's goal. Ghana continued to pressure and doubled their lead on 19 minutes as Damion Stewart deflected a Stephen Appiah's shot into his own goal.

Jamaica rallied gamely in the second half and just before the hour mark Jason Euell pulled a goal back for the Boyz, scoring a rebound from a Shane Crawford free kick. Ghana took back their two-goal cushion with Appiah finding the net on 66 minutes and again two minutes later with Matthew Amoah scoring goal number 4. Ghana will face Italy, USA and Czech Republic in Group E at the World Cup finals. The Reggae Boyz will next play England on Saturday 3rd June, 2006 at Old Trafford, Manchester

Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts (Shawn Sawyers 86th), Claude Davis, Damion Stewart, Garfield Reid, Omar Daley, Khari Stephenson (Jason Morrison 82nd), Jason Euell, Shane Crawford, Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Jermaine Johnson 63rd), Luton Shelton (Ricardo Fuller 46th), Marlon King (Teofore Bennett 82nd)....Read more in the forum

Read more at about the Reggae Boyz......Get your Jamaican T-shirts and other items

Player Awards

Reggae Boy Ricardo Gardner was named Bolton Wanderers Player Of the Year at their awards dinner on May 7, 2006

Southamption FC Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller was named Powerade Player of the Month, finishing the season on a high scoring six goals in six games
More in the forum

Also check out the IrieJam store at cafepress.com.

Reggae Boyz to play Ghana

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) confirmed that the Reggae Boyz will face Ghana on May 29 at the Leicester City Stadium, just before their historic clash with England on June 3. Ghana, ranked 50th in the world, like England, will be using the game against Jamaica as a tune up for the World Cup. Jamaica's Technical director, Wendell Downswell, has indicated that he will select his squad from a competitive pool of 30 local and foreign-based capped players combining experience with youth. Between 20 and 22 (players) will make the trip to England on May 24. The JFF reported that the 68,000 capacity Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester was sold out for the England/Jamaica encounter.

The players called to training camp are: Goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts, Shawn Sawyers, Dwayne Kerr; defenders Tyrone Marshall, Claude Davis, Damion Stewart, Omar Daley, Garfield Reid, Jermaine Taylor, Oneil Thompson, Demar Stewart, Keniel Moodie, Adrian Reid, Desmond Breakenridge; midfielders Ricardo Gardner, Jason Euell, Jermaine Hue, Khari Stephenson, Jermaine Johnson, Jason Morrison, Nicholy Finlayson, Fabian Davis, Fabian Dawkins, Lovel Palmer; forwards Ricardo Fuller, Marlon King, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Teofore Bennett, Luton Shelton, Ryan Johnson.Read more in the forum

Also check out the IrieJam store at cafepress.com.

Damion Stewart signs deal with QPR

Jamaican international Damion Stewart was reported to have signed a three year contract with QPR. Stewart, a 25 year-old defender, was on loan at Bradford City from Caribbean Club champions Harbour View, will officially join OPR on June 1 2006. Stewart, nicknamed 'Stew Peas' by the Reggae Boyz, has made over 30 appearances for Jamaica and is due to play against England in a World Cup warm-up match at Old Trafford on June 3. .More in the forum

Also check out the IrieJam store at cafepress.com.

JFF Seals Academy land deal at Munro

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced that they have completed the purchase of lands at Munro College in St Elizabeth earmarked for the construction of the National Football Academy and Training Centre. At a press conference at the JFF's headquaters announcing a $5.5- million sponsorship of the Reggae Boyz for the England game on June 3, president Crenston Boxhill disclosed that the FIFA funds of some US$400,000 (approximately $24 million) was paid to secure the Munro lands, located in Malvern.More in the forum

Also check out the IrieJam store at cafepress.com.

Fuller Continues Goal Scoring Form

Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller continued his late-season goal-scoring form with another strike in Southampton's loss to Crystal Palace in the English Championship on Saturday. Fuller scored in the 69th minute, just minutes after Crystal palace took the lead on an Andrew Johnson goal. The 26 year-old Fuller timed Darren Potter's left-sided cross and placed his header into the top right-hand corner of the goal. Southampton fell behind again as Clinton Morrison came off the bench to find the nets nine minutes from the end to give Crystal Palace the win. Fuller is now Southampton's leading goalscorer this season with seven goals

Jamaica Hold USA to 1-1 Tie

Reggae Boyz put their CONCACAF rivals USA to the test as both teams played to an exciting 1-1 draw in a friendly international at the SAS Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina.

The Boyz struck in the fourth minute courtesy of a Jermaine Hue's pass to Teofore Bennett who outpaced the USA defenders and calmly slotted home pass Tony Meola in goal. Team immediately USA stepped up the pace with some positive runs forward only to be kept at bay by a solid looking Reggae Boyz defense.

The USA finally broke through in the 25th minute as Ben Olsen collected a quick Landon Donovan's pass in the goal area and a struck a low shot under the an out stretched Ricketts into the net.The Boyz countered well at times and in the 31st minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, showed good pace and skill down right side, twisting Chris Albright around before crossing to Ryan Johnson in the centre, but the latter's shot was blocked.

Early in the second half, Donovan Ricketts pulled off a spectacular one-handed save, tipping Chris Albright's close-range header over the cross bar. The game seemed to lose momentum as both teams made substitutions midway in the half. USA pressed for the winner late in the game but the Reggae Boyz maintained their composure for a well deserved 1-1 draw. The U.S. is now 9-0-8 against Jamaica.

TEAMS: Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Claude Davis (Demar Stewart 30th), Damion Stewart, Omar Daley, Garfield Reid, Khari Stephenson (Oneil Thompson 71st), Jermaine Hue, Jason Morrison, (Dane Richards 60th) Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Fabian Dawkins 61st), Ryan Johnson Jermaine Johnson 71st), Teofore Bennett (Newton Sterling 61st).Subs not used: S Sawyers,Booked: Daley (34th)USA - Tony Meola, Frankie Hejduk, Chris Albright, Landon Donovan, Pat Noonan (John O'Brien 67th), Ben Olsen, Josh Wolff (Eddie Johnson 45th), Steve Ralston (Clint Demsey 55th), Taylor Twellman (Brian Ching 45th), Eddie Pope, Pablo Matsroeni.Subs not used: M Reis, N Garcia, K Zavagnin,Booked: Pope (20th) ...Read more in the forum

Reggae Boyz to face Canada in friendly series

Jamaica's senior Reggae Boyz team will face Canada in a friendly two-way home-and-away series in September and October. The first of the series is scheduled for September 4 at the Complexe sportif Claude Robillard in Toronto, while the second is slated for October 4 at the National Stadium, Jamaica.

In 11 previous encounters against Canada, The Reggae Boyz have won once, lost five times and drew five. The last time the two teams met on September 2, 1999, in Toronto, Jamaica lost 1-0 to their host. Canada remains unbeaten in their last three international games with a 1-0 win over Luxembourg, a 0-0 draw with the United States and a 2-0 win over Austria.

The Reggae Boyz games against Canadian are in addition to the list of international friendly against the US on April 11 in North Carolina, another against England on June 3rd at Old Trafford and a strong possibility of a meeting against world cup bound Ghana...Read more in the forum

Onandi Lowe signs with Miami FC

Jamaican international Onandi Lowe is reported to have signed a 10 month loan deal with the United Soccer League's (USL) new franchise, Miami FC. The 32 year-old Lowe is an enormously talented striker and was a member of the historic World Cup squad that played World Cup 98. He has been one of the most controversial players to represent the Reggae Boyz in the last decade and has over 60 caps for Jamaica.

The 6 foot 3 Lowe's turbulent career has seen him represent a number of clubs in Jamaica, England and the USA. These included Coventry City F.C. (England), Rushden & Diamonds (England), the Kansas City Wizards (MLS), Port Vale ( England), Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League), the Montreal Impact (A-League), Richmond Kickers, Arnett Gardens (Jam. NPL) and most recently Jamaican and Caribbean Champions, Portmore United.

In expressing his excitement with the prospect of playing with Miami FC in its inaugural season, Lowe thanked the former head of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell, for his belief in him as a person and a professional football player. He also thanked Portmore United for facilitating the opportunity with Miami FC. The new Miami FC franchise will hosts its first regular season USL first division home match against the Montreal Impact on Sunday, April 23. Read more in the forum