Burke To Tackle Nations League Games
Whitmore selects players from eight countries for must-win matches
Cory Burke returns to the Jamaican squad, having missed the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup because of US visa problems, to tackle the CONCACAF Nations League Group B games.
Burke, who hasn’t played for MSL outfit Philadelphia Union since April as he is awaiting a new US visa, is one of seven selected who were part of this week’s training camp at the UWI in Kingston for Jamaican-based players.
Striker Burke is currently training with Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) champions Portmore United. RSPL stars Kevaughn Isaacs (Mount Pleasant FC), Amal Knight and Fabion McCarthy (both UWI FC), Andre Lewis (Portmore United), Alex Marshall (Cavalier FC) and Jeadine White (Humble Lion FC) are in head coach Theodore Whitmore’s 24-strong squad.
However, Whitmore has overlooked a British-born duo who have obtained Jamaican passports, defender Chey Dunkley (Wigan Athletic) and midfielder Ravel Morrison (Sheffield Untied).
Yet two new faces from the UK have been selected, attacking midfielder Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) and forward Bobby Reid (Cardiff City/Fulham).
Kingston-born Johnson migrated to England as a child and kicked off his career at the Aston Villa Academy, where he played in the top-flight before representing a clutch of clubs before signing for PNE four years ago.
Reid, who got relegated from the English Premier League (EPL) with Cardiff City last term is currently on loan with fellow Championship Fulham. He has yet to score in four appearances this season.
The 26-year-old played for his home town team of Bristol City from 2011-18, although was constantly loaned out until he signed a four-year deal in June 2018 with Welsh outfit Cardiff for £10 million.
Reid has made just 28 appearances for Cardiff and notched five goals. He moved on loan to last season’s EPL outfit Fulham earlier this month.
The Reggae Boyz’ rising stars, German-based midfield maestro Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen) and Belgium-based hot-shot striker Shamar Nicholson (Royal Charleroi Sporting Club, Belgium) are expected to be automatic starters for the games against Antigua & Barbuda (6 September) and in Guyana (9 September).
Players from eight countries are set to assemble in Montego Bay on 2 September for a three-day training camp ahead of their match at Montego Bay Sports Complex (7pm), with maximum points expected to be scooped before the Boyz tackle hosts Guyana.
Whitmore has taken a gamble with some of his squad members, but he is focused on the future so set his sights on Nations League success although his priority is to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Amal Knight, Fabion McCarthy (both UWI FC), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls, USA), Andre Lewis (Portmore United), Damion Lowe (IK Start, Norway), Adrian Mariappa (Watford, England), Alex Marshall (Cavalier FC), Shamar Nicholson (Royal Charleroi Sporting Club, Belgium), Dever Orgill (MKE Ankaragücü, Turkey), Alvas Powell (FC Cincinnati, USA), Bobby Reid (Cardiff City/Fulham, England), Peter Vassell (Los Angeles FC, USA), JeVaughn Watson (OKC Energy FC, USA), Jeadine White (Humble Lion FC).
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