Jamaica host USA in a men’s senior international tomorrow (Saturday) at the University of West Indies’ Mona Bowl in Kingston (kick off at 3pm, local time).
The match, for world ranking points, will be the Reggae Warriors’ first since their appearance in the World Cup a year ago - and only third international at home in 18 years – and will be the ninth encounter between the nations.
The Hawks lead 6-2, although Jamaica have won the last two encounters. The hosts are set to hand debuts to Daniel Graham, Tahjay Lynch, Hakeem Richards, Kahil Green, Oshane Edie and Kamarine Williams but are without Khamisi McKain who played in the World Cup but is recovering from a broken leg.
Jamaica men’s Lead coach, Roy Calvert, commented: “We are looking forward to this game as the Hawks have always been good competition for us. It’s important for nations in the Americas to provide opportunities for our domestic players to test themselves at a high level.
“Both countries are looking to debut several newcomers and that makes the game even more interesting. Jamaica’s squad has some exciting young players as strategically we are looking to build on the next generation to propel us over the next 10 years. The great thing is they get to play with legends like Thompson and Bailey who have been around for that long.”
The USA men’s team have had a four-year absence from the international scene, with their last encounter being a 38-16 loss to Cook Islands in the RLWC2021 repechage game, and the Hawks will field a new-look side selected from seven clubs.
“I’m really happy to have the men’s Hawks playing again,” noted USA head coach Sean Rutgerson. “It has been too long between games. We are looking forward to being in Jamaica with eight new guys aiming to gain their first cap.”
JAMAICA SQUAD
Akeem Murray, Andrew Simpson, Chevaughn Bailey, Daniel Graham, Jade Harrison, Kenneth Walker, Kevin Thomas, Kile Nembhard, Marvin Thompson, Owen Linton, Ryan Grant (Duhaney Park Red Sharks), Adrian Hall, (Liguanea Dragons), Tahjay Lynch, (St Catherine OB Thundercats), Hakeem Richards, Kahil Green, Oshane Edie, Reinhardo Richards (Washington Blvd Bulls), Kamarine Williams, Omar Jones (West Kingston Hyenas)
USA SQUAD
Sean Hunt (Atlanta Rhinos) Tevita Bryce, Kyle Granby (Brooklyn Kings) Urban Iyo, Peter Lupton (Boston 13s) Ethan Ferrick (DC Cavalry) Ryan Bannerot, Jason Martin, Mason McCrory, David Washington, Malcom Webb, James Williams (Jacksonville Axemen) Wes Piggins (Southwest Florida Copperheads) Joe Eichner, Matt Finnesy, Gunnar Johnson, Bart Longchamp (Tampa Mayhem)
“We want everyone involved”- Chung hoping for massive support for Reggae Boyz in Nations League Quarterfinal against USA
General Secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation, Dennis Chung, is hoping that Jamaicans come out in their numbers to support the Reggae Boyz during both legs of their CONCACAF Nations League Quarter-final at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday, November 14 and Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri on Monday, November 18.
The Reggae Boyz will be looking for revenge over their American counterparts after suffering defeat to them at the semi-final stage of last season’s Nations League 1-3 in extra time. The USA went on to win the whole thing with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in the final while the Reggae Boyz beat Panama 1-0 to claim third place.
If the Boyz are to get over the hump this time around, Chung understands that a massive part of it will be the energy they receive from the thousands of Jamaican fans in attendance.
“We are at the quarterfinal stage. We want to ensure that we are there in our numbers supporting the Boyz because we have to make it past the mighty USA which, after we finish with them, they won’t be so mighty,” Chung said in press conference on Monday.
As such, three support groups for Jamaican football-Reggae Boyz Supporters Club, Reggae Football Fans Club and Reggae Boyz Community, are all making it possible for fans from all over the diaspora to have an opportunity to cheer on the Reggae Boyz live and in person.
“We want to welcome this partnership because this is a way for us now to reach our fanbase. We want to ensure that everyone is involved. At the last two games we had over 17,000 people in attendance and that, for us, is very important. It’s not just about playing football. It’s about getting everybody involved,” Chung said on Monday.
Errol Walters and Louis Grant, members of the Reggae Football Fans Club, were also on hand on Monday and gave an overview of this initiative.
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to be serving our country in this way. What we’re trying to do is create an opportunity for fans in the diaspora that we use our collective bargaining power to negotiate to go to the games,” Walters said.
“There are times when I’m in London and want to go to a game and I have no one to travel with so it was always my dream to create a database to say listen, who’s going to the game from where,” Walters added.
Grant explained that this idea came about because of the desire of members of the diaspora to be a driving force behind the support of the team on their journey to the World Cup in 2026.
“This was birthed out a desire to be the proverbial 12th man for our football teams and more so for the second iteration of the historic trip to the World Cup. We, as members of the diaspora here in the United States, think it’s only right that we play our part in drumming up support as far as leveraging air travel, accommodation, and support,”
“For example, we’ve been in touch with US Soccer with regards to the game in St. Louis. We’ve gotten a section that we can have all or most of our supporters concentrated to create that ‘Office’ vibe,”
“In my experience, we’ve gone to games in my area and you’d see our supporters and our flag sparsely across the various stadiums and we are of the opinion that if we were more concentrated in one section, it bodes well or it is a better look and feel for our team,” he added.
Jamaica to face USA as Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals kick off on November 14
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will face a tough challenge as they go up against the United States in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, with the first leg set for November 14. This highly anticipated showdown comes after Jamaica topped Group B of League A, setting up a clash with the third-ranked USA, who are one of the pre-seeded teams based on the Concacaf Rankings.
Jamaica, coming off an unbeaten group stage campaign, will be looking to build on their strong performances, which included victories over Nicaragua and Honduras, as well as draws against 10-man Cuba and Honduras. The Reggae Boyz will face the USA in a home-and-away series, with the second leg scheduled for November 18. The winner on aggregate will not only advance to the Concacaf Nations League Finals, set for March 2025 at Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, but also secure a spot in next summer’s Gold Cup.
In another exciting quarterfinal, Honduras will take on top-seeded Mexico. Honduras, who finished as runners-up in Group B behind Jamaica, will be aiming to upset a formidable Mexican side that is ranked first in the region. The two-legged tie begins on November 15, with the return leg on November 19.
The third quarterfinal features second-ranked Canada going up against Suriname. Canada, who pre-qualified based on their Concacaf ranking, will face a determined Suriname team that finished second in Group A behind Costa Rica. The first leg of their matchup will be played on November 15, with the second leg scheduled for November 19.
Quarterfinal Matchups:
United States vs Jamaica (November 14, November 18)
Mexico vs Honduras (November 15, November 19)
Canada vs Suriname (November 15, November 19)
Panama vs Costa Rica (November 14, November 18)
The quarterfinal winners will move on to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals, where they will compete for the championship. Additionally, the victors will automatically qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup, while the quarterfinal losers will have a second chance through the Gold Cup Prelims.
Reggae Warriors fall to Wales in rain-soaked Rugby League international
Jamaica's Reggae Warriors suffered a narrow 22-16 defeat to Wales in a rain-drenched international rugby league encounter on Tuesday at The Gnoll in Neath. Despite leading 10-0 early in the match, Jamaica couldn’t hold off a determined Welsh side that rallied in the second half to secure the victory in front of 1,300 fans.
Jamaica, fielding a new-look squad with eight debutants, got off to a dream start. Ben Jones-Bishop opened the scoring in the fifth minute, slipping through the Welsh defense after a missed tackle. Just minutes later, Alex Young, brother of England international Dom Young, pounced on a loose ball following Kieran Rush’s precise kick to double the lead for the Reggae Warriors.
With a 10-0 advantage, Jamaica appeared to be in control, but Wales adapted to the worsening conditions. Rhys Williams, Wales' record-cap holder, sparked the Welsh comeback just before halftime, scoring a crucial try after running onto a kick from captain Elliot Kear.
The second half saw Wales take advantage of the wet conditions and gain momentum. Debutants Huw Worthington and Max Clarke both crossed the try line, giving Wales the lead for the first time in the match. A strong performance from Gil Dudson, named man of the match, and a try from Matty Fozard stretched the Welsh lead, sealing the comeback victory.
Jamaica struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, especially after losing playmaker Kieran Rush to injury early in the period. Despite a late try from Joshua Hudson-Lett, Jamaica couldn’t close the gap, leaving the final score at 22-16 in favor of Wales.
For Jamaica, the match provided valuable experience for a squad featuring many new players, including the only non-UK-based player, Alex Young of the Sydney Roosters. Despite the loss, the Reggae Warriors showed promise and will look to build on their performance in future fixtures.
Match Summary
Wales (4) 22
Tries: Williams, Worthington, Clarke, Dudson, Fozard
Conversions: Fozard
Jamaica (10) 16
Tries: Jones-Bishop, Young, Hudson-Lett
Conversions: Carter
Penalty: Rush
The defeat marks another step in Jamaica’s journey to establish themselves on the international rugby league stage as they continue to gain experience against quality opposition.
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