Jamaica Bring in Teenage Strikers For a Shot Against US
CONCACAF Nations League offers Reggae Boyz the chance to clinch their first continental trophy
Kaheim Dixon and Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, two teenage hot-shots, have been called up the Jamaica squad that tackles a star-studded US side in Thursday’s CONCACAF Nations League semi-final showdown.
Arnett Gardens FC’s 19-year-old Dixon, who recently scored on his debut to secure a 1-0 friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago, and 18-year-old Sheffield Wednesday striker Cadamarteri could be let loose to terrorise opponents in the United States next week.
This is because Jamaica have omitted strikers Leon Bailey, who is excelling at English Premier League (EPL) highfliers Aston Villa this term, and Serbia-based Trivante Stewart for disciplinary reasons.
Influential forwards Demarai Gray and Shamari Nicholson are suspended for the match against the US, but both could be in the mix for either the final or third/fourth play-off against Mexico or Panama.
There are recalls for veteran attackers Michail Antonio (West Ham United) and Cory Burke (New York Red Bulls), whose physical power could provide the foil around the box for newcomers Cadamarteri and Dixon.
Clarendon College standout Dixon, who scored 38 goals during last season’s schoolboy campaign before plying his trade in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), is currently being monitored by talent scouts in Europe.
Mount Pleasant FC shotstopper Shaquan Davis is the only other JPL player included in head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson’s 23-strong squad, and like Dixon made his debut against Trinidad & Tobago last month. Although defender Richard King is a JPL player with Cavalier SC, he is currently on loan with Icelandic top-tier team ÍBV.
This is the first international nod for British-born Cadamarteri, who has bagged four goals for struggling English Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday, and is seen as a good prospect. He qualifies to represent the Reggae Boyz through his father Danny, a former Everton ace in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Cadamarteri is joined by club team-mate Di’Shon Bernard, who has six international caps. It is a strong English Championship squad in defence and midfield, which includes the Coventry City pairing of Joel Latibeaudiere and Kasey Palmer as well the Charlton Athletic duo of Karoy Anderson and Michael Hector.
A handful of the Boyz compete in the US, so are likely to be involved in the semi-final contest. Tayvon Gray, born in the Bronx, has been recalled. The 21-year-old right back made his only international appearance in last September’s Nations League 1-0 home win over Honduras.
Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake, the skipper and consistently a safe pair of hands, will be aiming to keep goals out while Burke is no doubt keen to hit double figures having bagged nine goals in 31 internationals.
Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock (ankle) and Luton Town Amari’i Bell (hamstring) are notable key EPL defenders that are absent from the squad because of injury.
Following Jamaica’s Nations League quarter-final 3-2 triumph over Canada in Toronto for a 4-4 aggregate to progress on away goals, the Boyz are ready to face their maiden Nations League semi-final.
Thursday’s encounter at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas, presents Jamaica with a real opportunity to claim their first continental trophy although the US will be oozing confidence and are the defending champions.
If the Boyz can overcome their bitter rivals, who lie 42 places above them at FIFA-ranked no.13, then Hallgrimsson will be able to lead his troops into an historic final against either Mexico or Panama on 24 March.
JAMAICA SQUAD
Goalkeepers | Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union, USA), Shaquan Davis (Mount Pleasant FC, Jamaica), Jahmali Waite (El Paso Locomotive, USA)
Defenders | Di’Shon Bernard (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC, USA), Michael Hector (Charlton Athletic, England), Richard King (on loan at ÍBV-íþróttafélag, Iceland), Dexter Lembikisa (on loan at Hearts, Scotland), Damion Lowe (Philadelphia Union, USA), Gregory Leigh (Oxford United, England)
Midfielders | Karoy Anderson (Charlton Athletic, England), Renaldo Cephas (MKE Ankaragücü, Turkey), Daniel Johnson (Stoke City, England), Joel Latibeaudiere (Coventry City, England), Kasey Palmer (Coventry City, England)
Attackers | Michail Antonio (West Ham United, England), Cory Burke (New York Red Bulls, USA), Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Fulham, England), Kaheim Dixon (Arnett Gardens, Jamaica), Demarai Gray (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Jamal Lowe (Swansea City), Shamar Nicholson (on loan Clermont, France)
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