Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC will take their unbeaten record into the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final after they edged Haitian counterparts Real Hope FA 1-0 in their second-leg semifinal tie in Santiago de los Caballeros on Thursday.

Rivaldo Correa got the all-important strike in the 10th minute as Cibao, who entered the contest with a 3-2 first-leg lead, topped the series 4-2 on aggregate to book a date with Jamaican outfit Cavalier FC in the final. They also secured a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.

Correa’s early strike from deep inside the 18-yard box applied more pressure on Real Hope, who now needed to score at least two goals to stand a chance of turning the tables.

The Haitian club went close in the 14th minute through Clifford Louis Jean’s long range effort that was equally well-saved by Miguel Lloyd in goal for Cibao.

Lloyd cut off another promising attack from Real Hope in the 29th as he denied Angelo Exilus from a Jeudy Jhonson cross.

Cibao FC’s next best chance of the contest came in the 49th but Ernesto Trinidad failed to beat Real Hope’s custodian Gooly Elien from close range.

From there, it was all Real Hope as they desperately sought to claw their way back into the contest and had two great opportunities to do so, but Exilus dragged an 80th-minute effort wide of the left upright, while Lloyd again came up big to thwart the other in time added.

Real Hope FA will now hope to bounce back in the third-place playoff, where they will cross swords with another Dominican Republic outfit, Moca FC, to decide the final Caribbean representative that will grace the Champions Cup.

Greg Vanney will hope for a repeat of LA Galaxy's five-star victory in game one that represented “one of their best" performances to wrap up his MLS playoff clash with Colorado Rapids in two games.

Vanney’s tactical masterplan saw Galaxy triumph 5-0 at home as they restricted Colorado to just one shot and an expected goals (xG) total of 0.03 while accumulating 2.46 xG themselves.

The LA Galaxy boss made his name at Toronto FC, where he won the MLS Cup as well as three Eastern Conference playoff titles. When he resigned in 2020, it was Colorado’s Chris Armas who took up the mantle but did not fare as well.

Early indications of their meeting in the playoffs suggest Vanney is proving his knack for success remains and is winning the battle of the ex-Toronto bosses.

“I thought it was a very clean performance, and probably one of the best. I can't remember all 34 at this point, 35 now, but it was definitely one of the best ones, I think, and at a good time,” Vanney reflected on the performance post-match.

LA Galaxy had emerged victorious in both prior meetings this season, but neither time had they managed to keep a clean sheet. Yet in game one, Armas’ side struggled to even penetrate their box with just 10 touches inside it all game.

“[Vanney] has been great, and he has a lot of experience. This week was everything. In the playoffs, we need to set the tone and set the intensity. He did that right from, not just this week, but of course [because of] playoffs, training was intense,” said goalscorer John Nelson.

“Defensively, we needed to do that, and that's what he talked about the whole week. Like you saw tonight, we were relentless. We were fouling. We weren't giving them anything.

“So the whole week’s focus was to counter-press defensively, and we know we're going to score goals. We showed that tonight.”

Armas will need to find a way to beat his Toronto predecessor in a must-win game for his side at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, owing to the best-of-three playoff format.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

If the Rapids are to take the match back to LA Galaxy for a decider, they will need goals and Mihailovic will be crucial. He boasts the second-most goals scored for Colorado (11) in the MLS, only four behind top scorer Rafael Navarro.

He is also their top assister (10), meaning he has the most goal contributions on the squad (21). Distribution is clearly a strong point as he has more than double the number of key passes (87) than any other Rapids player – Cole Bassett comes closest on 35.

LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic

Galaxy's top scorer, Joveljic, has 17 goals in the MLS so far this season and has also delivered the lowest minutes per goal (118.6). He will surely hope to add to the tally when he travels to Colorado.

He was on target in game one as he and Riqui Puig each scored twice in Galaxy’s win over Colorado.

It makes them the third pair of Galaxy teammates to each score twice in a playoff game, along with Cobi Jones and Carlos Ruiz in 2002 and Carlos Hermosillo and Danny Pena in 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY WIN

Galaxy have won each of their three meetings with Colorado this season, including the 5-0 win in Game One on Saturday.

Prior to that, Galaxy had won only one of their 11 matches against the Rapids between 2018 and 2023 (D3 L7).

That 5-0 win was only the seventh win by a margin of at least five goals in MLS Cup playoff history. It was the third of those by Galaxy, who also beat Dallas, 6-1, in 1998 and defeated Real Salt Lake, 5-0, in 2014.

Colorado were held to just one shot in their 5-0 loss to Galaxy. It was the first time this century that the Rapids had only one shot in an MLS match, regular season or playoffs.

The hosts are a team out of form and have lost five straight matches dating back to the regular season, with two of those defeats coming against Galaxy.

Prior to this drought, however, the Rapids had lost just three of their previous 13 regular-season matches dating back to the middle of June (W9 D1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 32.5%

Draw – 25.5%

LA Galaxy – 42.0%

Sunshine Girls coach and former player Sasher-Gaye Henry says her team is looking forward to the challenge of taking on England in their upcoming four-match Test series.

Henry’s Sunshine Girls will be looking to rebound from a 1-2 series defeat at the hands of their opponents when they last squared off in England last January.

“It’s a big one for us and we’re looking forward to the ranking,” Henry told Sportsmax.tv last week.

We always want to beat England and they always want to beat us so we embrace this type of competition and look forward to it,” Henry added.

Both teams are currently separated in the Netball World Rankings by just two points. England are ranked number two in the world with 189 rating points while Jamaica are fourth with 187.

Henry, who won 75 caps for the Sunshine Girls between 1996 and 2015, was also asked about her best memories as a player against England.

Rather than giving just one memory, Henry noted how excited she was whenever she got to test her skills against the rivals.

“As a player, it was always about wanting to win, especially when it comes to playing England,” she said.

“We’re big rivals and it was always a competition between coming third and fourth so we were always in high spirits when we were playing England and the cycle continues,” Henry added.

Jamaica will first travel to England to take on the Vitality Roses on November 16 and 17 at the AO Arena in Manchester before hosting the Roses at the National Indoor Sports Centre on November 25 and 26.

Henry is pleased with her team’s preparation for the series thus far.

“I think the preparation has gone fairly well. One of our main focuses was on our fitness, mental preparation and tactical plays. What we’re looking is to see hos well the girls will put all of those into play and be ready for the competition,” she said.

 

 

Guyana Harpy Eagles and Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners were robbed an opportunity to bounce back from opening defeats in the CG United Super50 Cup as their second contest ended in a no result due to inclement weather at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

With the encounter initially reduced to 45 overs per side, the Harpy Eagles got their innings in and posted a competitive 271-7, thanks to a century from Canada-born Matthew Nandu (116), and half-centuries from captain Tevin Imlach (51) and Kemol Savory, who was left unbeaten on an even 50 off 42 balls.

Nandu’s knock came off 103 balls and included five sixes and seven fours, as he partnered with Imlach in a 123-run second wicket stand after Tagenarine Chanderpaul (13) went cheaply. Imlach struck five fours in his brisk 58-ball knock before he fell to Abhijai Mansingh, who also accounted for Kevlon Anderson (11).

Nandu and Savory then posted another 52 runs for the fourth wicket to keep the momentum going, but the former became the first of three quick wickets as the Marooners gradually pulled things back. Still, Savory pressed on in a dynamic knock that had two fours and one six to put the Harpy Eagles in a decent position.

Mikkel Govia (4-42) did the most damage for the Marooners with support from Mansingh (2-42).

The Marooners run chase started positively with Kamil Pooran (20) and Kieran Powell (8 not out) posting 32 for the first wicket before the rain had the final say after a mere 6.5 overs.

This no result means both teams are still left to play catch up, as the Harpy Eagles lost their first contest by one wicket to Windward Islands Volcanoes, while the Marooners went down by 60 runs to reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Charlotte FC head into the “most important game in their history” with a chip on their shoulder, according to Dean Smith.

The Crown were defeated 2-0 away at Orlando City in game one of the playoffs and need a win in their first-ever home playoff match to keep their hopes of progress alive.

Smith was aggrieved after designated player (DP) Pep Biel was given his marching orders after 91 minutes for violent conduct and Charlotte’s appeal was rejected, leaving their forward suspended for the home encounter.

It is a situation that Smith hopes will galvanise his team and the home crowd alike, to get them over the line and set up a final decider back in Orlando.

“We’re excited for it, we’re looking forward to it. We feel aggrieved and I think the injustice that we as a team feel will make the club grow stronger,” he said.

“[Biel’s suspension] is a problem for our club because this is the biggest game in our history. We’re at home in front of our fans for a playoff game for the first time and we’ll be missing a DP.

“But we’ve done enough for me to know that we can hurt them, especially at home with our fans behind us.”

It is seemingly a consensus across the team that home advantage can provide the key to success against Orlando.

“It’s frustrating but, it could be over three games. They used their home advantage. It’s time for us to use ours on Friday. It’s a completely different game at the Bank,” said midfielder Ashley Westwood.

If Charlotte do manage to secure a win they’ll tie the series and set up a decider in Orlando, something Smith is not as keen about.

“The only problem in this result for us is that if we get the win as we want to do on Friday, we’ll have to be back at Orlando a week later,” he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Kristijan Kahlina

Nominated for MLS goalkeeper of the season, he will be crucial in maintaining Charlotte’s impressive home defensive record. They kept an MLS-high nine home clean sheets during the 2024 regular season.

Going back to the end of last season, Charlotte have kept clean sheets in 12 of its last 20 home matches in all competitions.

Kahlina has played all 35 of Charlotte’s MLS matches so far this season and boasts a save percentage of 75.6%, having kept 12 clean sheets.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

The striker was on form in game one of the play-offs, bagging a goal in Orlando’s 2-0 win. He is Orlando’s top scorer this season with 15 goals.

He has the second-best shot conversion rate at Orlando (28.8%), and his distribution is just as vital to the visitors, having made 46 key passes this season – the second most on the team.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE FC WIN

The only ever away win in the eight all-time meetings between Charlotte FC and Orlando City was a 2-1 win by the Lions on their first visit to Charlotte in August 2022.

Since then, Charlotte are unbeaten in three home matches against Orlando City (W1 D2).

The Crown have lost just three of their last 28 home matches in all competitions dating back to June 2023 (W13 D12), the fewest home defeats by any MLS team in all competitions in that time.

However, if anyone can get a result away at Charlotte, it’s Orlando. They have won five of their last seven away matches (L2), including winning the last three in a row.

The Lions have scored three goals in each of their last three away games, something no team has ever done in four straight MLS matches (incl. playoffs).

Orlando have got the better of Charlotte of late, unbeaten in their last four MLS matches (Wins: 2 Draws: 2 Losses: 0).

Charlotte are looking for their first league win in encounters between the two sides since March 2023. Orlando have outscored Charlotte 7-3 during their unbeaten streak.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 36.8%

Draw – 26.3%

Orlando City – 36.9%

The Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) proudly announces the launch of Badminton Month, kicking off with the first-ever Jamaica Badminton Sport Summit on November 9, 2024.

This summit, designed to elevate the performance and knowledge of Jamaica’s aspiring athletes, will set the stage for a month filled with competitive events and educational initiatives aimed at advancing badminton at all levels in Jamaica.

JBA President Vishwanauth Tolan explained the driving force behind the summit, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to athlete development that goes beyond the game itself.

“It’s the first time we are hosting a summit like this. We’ve recognized that many of our athletes lack critical knowledge about the pathways necessary for reaching elite status. Often, young Jamaican players compete well at ages 12 to 14, but by 18, their regional counterparts have taken a different development path that includes essential aspects like brand building, physical and mental preparation, and understanding their roles in the sport,” Tolan said.

He highlighted that the gap between Jamaican athletes and their international peers stems partly from limited awareness among players, coaches, and parents.

“Parents may not realize the level of commitment and strategy required if their child is to become elite. The journey involves more than just weekly practice. For Jamaica to have a competitive presence internationally, we need a comprehensive approach that includes stakeholder support,” he added.

The summit will address critical areas of athlete development, featuring expert-led panel discussions on topics such as personal branding, physical conditioning, and the unique roles of coaches, managers, and family.

Among the featured speakers are Bruce James, who will provide insights into the role of an agent, and Owen Hill, who transformed the Jamaican Premier League, demonstrating how brand-building can attract sponsors.

Romone Robinson, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and former Jamaica national badminton player, and Dr. Patrice Simmonds will also engage participants.

Key sessions at the summit include: “Brand You: Crafting Your Legacy beyond the Field” – Focused on personal branding and social media strategy to enhance athlete visibility.

“Mind and Muscle: Fueling the Champion Within”– Addressing the interconnectedness of mental strength, nutrition, injury prevention, and peak performance.

“Mastering Your Role on the Elite Pathway” – A roadmap for athletes, coaches, agents, and family members to collaboratively build a winning strategy for success.

Jamaican discus silver medalist Fedric Dacres will join the “Mind and Muscle” panel, sharing his personal experiences on the significance of mental toughness and physical conditioning for achieving elite status.

The summit marks the start of an exciting Badminton Month, followed by the All Jamaica National Junior Championships from November 16-17. The All Jamaica National Junior and Open Championships will take place on November 23-24, and the inaugural Super Series Final on December 1, providing athletes at all levels an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against top talent.

As Jamaica’s official governing body for badminton, the JBA has long been committed to growing the sport and nurturing athletes who aspire to represent Jamaica internationally.

Through initiatives like the Jamaica Badminton Sport Summit, the JBA aims to build a solid foundation for Jamaica’s future stars, positioning the nation as a key competitor on the regional and global badminton stage.

In a bold move highlighting longstanding issues within the St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Football Federation, Koyana Horne has tendered her resignation from the Executive Council, citing concerns over governance and transparency.

Horne, who was elected in March for a four-year term on the executive council, led by president Otashie Spring, said she wanted to serve based on the promise of good governance, transparency, accountability, and football development.

As such, Horne expressed disappointment with the federation's approach to governance, noting a lack of both transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes. She added that her decision to resign with immediate effect reflects her commitment to personal integrity and to what she believes is in the best interest of SVG football.

“Please note that I did not take up the mantle to serve without careful thought, nor am I giving up at this point without the same careful considerations. However, I will like to maintain my sanity, integrity, and reputation at the end of the day. So allow me to express my disappointment in not being able to honour the period for which I was elected, and why,” Horne said in her letter, a copy of which was obtained by SportsMax.Tv.

“Too many questionable actions and decisions have not been sitting well with me. Though an elected member of the council, I feel ostracized from a lot of decision-making, and information sharing seems selective. As such, I don't think I am making or is allowed to make a real impact,” she added.

Horne pointed out that she witnessed persistent issues that, in her view, have hindered the growth and development of football in the islands. The first of those issues, she said, surfaced when Spring sought outside counsel from Mr Venold Coombs, whom he desired to have attend executive meetings.

She explained that though the president’s decision was met with rejection, he maintained that Coombs would serve as his personal advisor.

“Now, while I have no personal problems with Mr Coombs, in my humble opinion, a relationship of the sort seems reckless until clarity is given by/from the relevant authority about his permitted level of involvement in the administration of football," said Horne, who was the Chairperson of Match Commissioner, venue coordinator, and
field accreditation committee.

She continued: “Then there was segregation within the Council, the setting up of an executive within the executive, labelling it as an Emergency Committee, as opposed to simply having emergency meetings. Some council decisions were made without an invitation for all council members to part-take. My objections to this were futile and are made to seem conscientious with the addition of a fifth council member; even that in itself is another issue.

“The misrepresentation of the discussions held and agreements made at meetings is written as Council Minutes. Statements without context and paddings of unheard discussions comprise these legal documents, not to mention proclamations passed as decisions made.”

That said, Horne pointed to a lack of transparency and inefficient communication from the federation's hierarchy, leaving council members oblivious to the organization’s true financial standing, among other things.

“One may expect council members to know the financial status of the organization, but secrecy seems to be the order of the real powers that be. To date, only one monthly financial report has been shared with the entire executive council, yet extraordinary meetings are called to make decisions with great financial implications,” she argued.

“Communication is the icing on top of the cake. Internally, there seems to be a rationing of information on a 'need to know' basis. In attempts to question things so I could have clarity and understanding, too many of the things asked were left without answers or given partial responses. Information is received after the fact or from alternative sources (thank you to the many grapevines out there). The lack of trust is felt, but it goes both ways,” Horne said, adding that she will continue to lend her support and knowledge when and where possible.

Jamaica’s reigning Premier League champions Cavalier FC booked a spot in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final for a second consecutive year after they mauled Dominican Republic’s Moca FC 7-0 in a lopsided second leg semifinal tie at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

A hat-trick from Suriname's Shaquille Stein (6th, 45+3, 62nd) and a brace from Trinidad and Tobago’s Kaile Auvray (1st, 51st) did most of the damage for Cavalier, while Christopher Ainsworth (39th) and Dwayne Atkinson (79th) also got in on the act.

With the win, Cavalier, who lost last year’s final to Suriname’s Robinhood, now have a shot at redemption as they await the winner of the second semi-final between Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC and Haiti’s Real Hope in the showpiece. By virtue of making the final, Cavalier also secured a return to next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.

Head coach Rudolph Speid was pleased but also surprised at the margin of victory, especially after being held to a goalless stalemate in the first leg.

“It was very pleasing. We didn’t expect to win by such a large margin; however, this is our third time playing them, so they aren’t strangers to us,” Speid said.

Cavalier wasted little time to make their intentions known as Auvray found the opener shortly after kickoff when he drove home a firm left-footer from a distance.

The Jamaican team struck again before Moca could regroup as Stein expertly headed home from Jalmaro Calvin’s weighted cross five minutes later.

Ainsworth extended the lead when he converted from the penalty spot as Moca FC’s custodian Miguel Baez was left flat-footed.

Stein then notched his second and Cavalier’s fourth with another comfortable finish as they went to the break 4-0 up.

With the writing on the wall, frustration set in, and Moca lost Baez and Jesus Correa to straight red cards and, as such, contested the second half with nine players.

Cavalier showed no mercy and made full use of the numerical advantage when Auvray completed his brace with another well-struck effort from outside the 18-yard box.

Stein completed his hat-trick soon after to move his tally to seven so far in the tournament, before Atkinson added his name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot 11 minutes from time.

Despite the loss, Moca FC still stand a chance of making the Champions Cup, provided they come out tops in the third-place playoff.

Glenmuir High School continues to assert their class in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata daCosta Cup as they blanked Ocho Rios High 3-0 in a commanding performance in May Pen on Wednesday.

The victory, featuring goals from Orane Watson (18th), Nyron Allen (79th), and Nuemonie Blackwood (86th), extended Glenmuir’s impressive run in the competition. They sit comfortably atop the zone on six points, three points ahead of Ocho Rios and Dinthill Technical, while Happy Grove remains pointless, heading into Saturday’s final round of games.

Coach Andrew Peart praised his team’s discipline as they reinforced their status as serious contenders in this year’s daCosta Cup.

“It was a very controlled performance, much credit to our team. Credit also goes to Ocho Rios for not allowing a lot of space; you make it through the midfield lines, but they manage to collapse, and the defenders manage to protect the center of the field pretty well. In games like these, it is always good to find ways to score, and we did that by shooting from outside the box. So it was basically us being patient and waiting for the right moments,” Peart said in a post-game interview.

From the opening whistle, Glenmuir displayed confidence and cohesion, controlling the tempo of the game with crisp passes and quick transitions against a disciplined Ocho Rios defence. They went close in the fourth minute when Brandon Wallace got on target, but his effort was blocked on the line.

Ocho Rios responded immediately after with a brisk counterattack, but Keanu Reid’s effort was charged down by a recovering defender.

Glenmuir continued to press and again when Dusting Cohen found space inside the 18-yard box for a right-footed effort, which was denied by Maleek Martin’s outstretched leg.

However, their offensive persistence paid off in the 18th minute when Watson scored his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot after captain Ja-Son Whyte was taken out inside the red zone.

Ocho Rios, undeterred, mounted an attempt to level the score and should have done so in the 28th, but Reid, who had a clear look on goal, fired his effort high and wide, as Glenmuir remained 1-0 up at the break.

Glenmuir picked up where they left off on the resumption and had another close shave in the 52nd when Whyte’s shot from a distance was deflected and kissed the upright on the way out.

They eventually doubled the lead in the 79th minute, when Whyte struck another shot from distance that came off Allen’s back, leaving Martin well beaten.

Ocho Rios, struggling to keep up with Glenmuir’s Blackwood’s left-footer from way out, bettered Martin at his near post four minutes from time.

Head coach Veron Peterkin acknowledged that his Ocho Rios team was outplayed on the day.

“We made some little errors here and there and it cost us the game, but to be fair, Glenmuir had the better game and came out on top. When we had our chances we just weren’t decisive enough, so it was just one of those games,” he said.

Wednesday’s results

Munro College 2, Clarendon College 1

Glenmuir 3, Ocho Rios 0

McGrath High 1, Manchester High 0

Frome Technical 1, Cornwall College 0

Central High 1, Denbigh 0

Barbados Pride opened their CG United Super50 campaign on a strong note as they topped Jamaica Scorpions by 24 runs via the DLS method at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday.

Both teams entered the contest with hopes of securing early momentum in the tournament, but Barbados, on the back of a commanding 134-run partnership between Zachary McCaskie (63) and Leniko Boucher (73), posted a competitive 260-8 from their allotment.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican then grabbed 4-25 in eight overs, including a maiden, and Dominic Drakes (3-34) to dismiss the Scorpions for 199 in 35 overs.

Scores: Barbados Pride 260-8 (50 overs); Jamaica Scorpions 199 (35 overs)

Very little went the Scorpions way after they won the toss and opted to bowl first. Despite removing Kadeem Alleyne (16), they were made to toil as McCaskie and Boucher’s second-wicket stand provided a solid foundation for the Pride to build on.

McCaskie’s careful 91-ball knock, which included eight boundaries, was complemented by Boucher’s dynamic shot-making, as his 90-ball innings included nine boundaries and a solitary six. Together, they controlled the pace, accumulating runs while ensuring the Scorpions bowlers remained on the defensive, before both fell two runs apart.

McCaskie went first caught by Odean Smith off Brad Barnes, while Jeavor Royal, who earlier removed Alleyne, accounted for Boucher in the following over.

However, their efforts were backed up by a brisk 41 from captain Kyle Mayers, who was the aggressor in a 64-run fifth-wicket stand with Raymond Reifer (26). Mayers struck four boundaries and two maximums in his 30-ball knock as the Pride’s innings picked up further momentum, ensuring they reached a challenging total.

Marquino Mindley (3-43) was the pick of the Scorpions bowlers, with Royal (2-43) and Brad Barnes (2-46) also contributing.

With pressure on their batting line up to deliver, the Scorpions never really got going in their chase, as they lost Odain McCatty (one), captain John Campbell (26), Kirk McKenzie (12), and Carlos Brown (eight) in that order for just 58 runs.

In the face of this collapse, Jermaine Blackwood (40) and Brad Barnes (22) mounted a recovery, stabilizing the Scorpions’ innings with a gritty 58-run stand before rain halted their progress.

Blackwood, known for his powerful stroke play, brought experience to the fore, hitting two boundaries in a fairly patient 60-ball knock, while Barnes displayed poise in his 41-ball innings, working to rebuild under challenging conditions.

However, both fell shortly after the resumption of play and started another collapse. Only Odean Smith, with an aggressive 27-ball 45 including five sixes and two fours, offered some resistance at the backend, but the Scorpions ultimately fell short.

The win saw Barbados Pride into second position, joining leaders Leeward Islands Hurricanes, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, and Windward Islands Volcanoes in the win column.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes defeated West Indies Academy by 142 runs in a game reduced to 47 overs per side at Queen's Park Oval.

Scores: Leeward Islands Hurricanes 236-7 (47 overs) - Justin Greaves 111 not out; West Indies Academy 94 (27.5 overs) -Rahkeem Cornwall 3-27, Daniel Doram  3-34

Beginning January 1, 2025, track and field coaches in Jamaica will need a two-year renewable license to continue practicing, as per the new regulations set by the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). This licensing shift aligns with changes by World Athletics, which now requires coaches' certification to be renewed every two years based on evidence of continued education.

The new regulations were outlined at a recent JATAFCA meeting, where Ralph Mouchbahani from the World Athletics Coaching Education Department explained the changes in the Coaches Education and Certification System. Mouchbahani clarified that all World Athletics certifications, previously valid indefinitely, will now expire after two years. “All certifications of World Athletics are not valid for a lifetime anymore. They will need to be renewed after two years to maintain their validity,” he said.

Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, welcomed the updates and expressed strong support for this structured approach to coaching. Speaking at the meeting, Gayle confirmed that the JAAA and JATAFCA have agreed to give the Coaches Association administrative responsibility for the Coaches Education Program. “The new program is about making you better individuals to produce top-class athletes, for which Jamaica is well known worldwide,” Gayle stated, noting that the shift aims to further professionalize coaching in Jamaica.

As part of the new system, previously certified coaches must complete the World Athletics Safeguarding course and pay a license fee to transition into the updated program. Meanwhile, new coaches will need to complete one of the various World Athletics courses to qualify for initial certification. All coaches, regardless of experience, will have to participate in Continuous Education (CE) to earn credits that will be required for license renewal.

To accumulate these CE credits, coaches can attend workshops, seminars, and courses hosted by a variety of recognized organizations, including World Athletics, JAAA, JATAFCA, Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine, JADCO, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Sports, INSPORTS, and other Member Federations. Beginning in January 2026, coaches will also be required to submit a police record to renew their licenses.

David Riley, President of JATAFCA, alongside veteran instructor Roy Thomas, who both recently completed the World Athletics Level 2 Lecturers Course, will oversee the rollout of the new Coaching Education Content for Jumps, Throws, Sprints, and Hurdles. Riley provided insight into the new system’s structure, which allows coaches to achieve World Athletics certification at three levels:

Level 1: Youth Coach (U16)
Level 2: Junior Coach (U20)
Level 3: Senior Coach (20+)
Level 1 certification can be achieved by completing an online self-driven course, which will serve as the prerequisite for an initial license upon completion of an in-person assessment by JATAFCA. The next assessment is scheduled for November 15 in Kingston, providing a final opportunity for coaches to gain initial licensing compliance before the new regulations take effect in January.

Through these changes, Jamaica’s coaching landscape is set to see significant professional development, ensuring that track and field coaches across the island meet rigorous international standards.

 

 

 

 

 

With nothing separating them so far, Jamaica’s Cavalier FC and their Dominican Republic counterparts Moca FC will have all to play for in the decisive second leg of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinal tie at National Stadium on Wednesday.

The teams, who will meet for the third time in Caribbean Cup history, played out a goalless stalemate in the Dominican Republic last week, which means it is anybody’s game to take when the ball gets rolling at 7:00pm.

Prior to their goalless scoreline, Cavalier won the first meeting between the two 3-0 last year at Sabina Park. With that in mind, Cavalier should again start slight favourites, especially being at home.

However, the reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champion will have to tread cautiously as Moca will be riding high on the fact that the away goal rule is in effect. That means a 1-1 draw would be enough to see Moca FC through to the Caribbean Cup final and, by extension, next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.

Should the contest again end scoreless, then extra time and penalties, if necessary, will decide the winner.

While declaring that his players are ready for the challenge, Cavalier’s Head coach, Rudolph Speid, is wary of the away goal rule.

“I don’t think it’s an advantage for us, because the away goal rule is in effect and we didn’t score one goal away. So, if they score one, we’ll have to score two. So I’m not really pleased, and we don’t have an advantage at this point,” Speid said.

“Moca is a good team, and you can see they have a lot of structure. They have players from Argentina and from all over South America, so they are not an easy team. Those players are well versed in the art of playing, so we have to give them a lot of respect,” he added.

Dwayne ‘Busy’ Atkinson is again expected to be the point man in Cavalier’s attacking line, which has tallied 27 goals across last year and this year’s editions and stands as the team with the best offensive power in the history of the tournament.

They also placed second last year when they lost to Robinhood of Suriname and will be hoping to go one better on this occasion.

For Moca FC, this campaign is about seeking redemption after they were eliminated at this same stage last year by eventual champion Robinhood. They take an unbeaten record into Wednesday’s decisive leg and will be intent on keeping that record intact.

Felipe Carballo's first MLS goal secured New York Red Bulls a 1-0 triumph over reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew in the first match of their best-of-three series.

Carballo, on loan from Brazilian side Gremio, netted the only goal of the game in the 25th minute, volleying the ball beyond Patrick Schulte at Lower.com Field. 

It marked the Red Bulls' first win over Columbus in the postseason, with the Crew having won their previous four playoff meetings before Tuesday. 

But the visitors were indebted to their goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, who made eight saves throughout the contest to put the Red Bulls one game up ahead of the second leg.

The Crew mustered 15 shots, with eight on target, accumulating an expected goals (xG) total of 0.77, though the Red Bulls managed a 0.85 xG with only three attempts on target.

In the other playoff game, Jefferson Diaz converted the decisive spot-kick for Minnesota United as they came out 5-4 victors in a penalty shootout against Real Salt Lake. 

Diaz slotted home his penalty before Braian Ojeda struck the woodwork with Salt Lake's final effort, putting the Loons a game up in their best-of-three series. 

In an evenly contested affair at America First Field, chances were aplenty, with Kelvin Yeboah and Cristian Arango squandering the best opportunities for their sides. 

Minnesota and Salt Lake tied three times in the regular season, and again could not be separated after 90 minutes. 

Both teams missed in the third round of the shootout as Minnesota captain Michael Boxall and Salt Lake's Justen Glad failed to convert from 12 yards. 

But the Loons held their nerve, earning a vital victory in the first postseason encounter between the two sides. 

The Windward Islands Volcanoes opened up their 2024 CG United Super50 Cup campaign with an improbable one-wicket win over the Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday.

The Harpy Eagles, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, posted a respectable 274-5 from their 50 overs thanks to half centuries from captain Tevin Imlach and Keemo Paul.

Imlach led the way with an unbeaten 67-ball 65 including five fours and a six while Paul batted through to the end alongside his skipper to finish 54* off just 25 balls, hitting one four and six sixes.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kevlon Anderson also provided excellent contributions with 49 and 42, respectively, against 2-53 off eight overs from Shadrack Descarte.

The Windwards then, after finding themselves struggling at 58-5 in the 12th over, pulled off an improbable chase, reaching 277-9 with three balls to spare in the end.

The major catalysts for the successful chase were Descarte and wicketkeeper Dillon Douglas, playing only his second List A game.

The pair added a crucial 81 runs for the sixth wicket before Descarte fell in the 26th over for a well-played 60 off 62 balls including seven fours and a six.

After the fall of that wicket, Douglas continued on, eventually falling for a top score of 90 from 100 balls in the 43rd over with the score on 223.

Douglas hit eight fours and two sixes in his excellent knock.

Darel Cyrus, batting at nine, contributed a crucial 29 alongside Douglas but fell with just over four overs left with the Volcanoes needing a further 30 runs for victory.

Those runs proved no problem for final pair Kenneth Dember and Gilon Tyson who batted brilliantly to lead the Volcanoes to an improbable victory.

Dember finished 20* off 18 balls while Tyson made 17* off 13 balls.

Pacer Nial Smith took 3-46 off 9.4 overs while Kevin Sinclair took 2-66 off his 10 overs.

The Harpy Eagles will next face CCC at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground on October 31 while the Windwards Volcanoes will face the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on November 1.

Full Scores:

Guyana Harpy Eagles 274-5 off 50 overs (Tevin Imlach 65*, Keemo Paul 54*, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 49, Kevlon Anderson 42, Shadrack Descarte 2-53)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 277-9 off 49.3 overs (Dillon Douglas 90, Shadrack Descarte 60, Nial Smith 3-46, Kevin Sinclair 2-66).

 

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.