Copa America 2015 Preview: Jamaica
Overview
Welcome to the Copa America, Jamaica. Here are three of South America's best teams to ensure you remember, one way or the other, your first invite to the continent's premier competition.
As one of two CONCACAF invitees, along with Mexico, Jamaica has been thrust into a terribly difficult section alongside Argentina (that Lionel Messi guy), Uruguay (defending champions), and Paraguay (2011 finalists).
Dreams are a beautiful thing, and many Jamaican fans will be dreaming of at least one historic upset over a South American powerhouse, but reality is often brutal. As such, it's difficult to envision a scenario in which the Reggae Boyz aren't in the basement of Group B at the conclusion of the tournament's opening stage.
Could the reigning Caribbean Cup champions prove to be a stubborn defensive side that's lethal on the break, and surprise everyone as one of the best third-place finishers? Manager Winfried Schafer is certainly hoping so.
"I hope we can go to the quarterfinals," Schafer recently said. "Football is open, you cannot tell; Brazil were beaten 7-1 in the semifinal of the World Cup.
"This is good for Jamaica, it is good for the players, good for me, and good for everybody. I want to win matches and hope at the end when we come back from Chile our whole island is happy about the Reggae Boyz."
If they can, against what seem to be all odds, make it out of the group, the island will indeed be euphoric.
Group Stage Schedule
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - 06 - 13 | Uruguay vs. Jamaica | 16:00 | Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascunan |
| 2015 - 06 - 16 | Paraguay vs. Jamaica | 18:00 | Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascunan |
| 2015 - 06 - 20 | Argentina vs. Jamaica | 18:30 | Estadio Sausalito |
All times are listed in local time
Projected Starting XI
(4-4-1-1): Duwayne Kerr; Adrian Mariappa, Jermaine Taylor, Wes Morgan, Kemar Lawrence; Garath McCleary, Je-Vaughn Watson, Rodolph Austin, Jobi McAnuff; Joel Grant; Darren Mattocks
Though they're lacking in legitimate star power - rife in Group B - Jamaica does boast a decent amount of defensive experience with the likes of Adrian Mariappa and Wes Morgan, who will be relied upon to lead a team that will set up to defend deep and look to hit on the counter-attack through the breathtaking speed of Darren Mattocks.
With Deshorn Brown and Giles Barnes also available to Schafer, there is no shortage of attacking options that would allow the Jamaicans to be tactically flexible throughout this tournament.
El Capitan
The undisputed leader of the side, defensive midfielder Rodolph Austin wears the armband for Jamaica.
Austin, the second-highest-capped player in the squad, has been ever-present in the heart of the team's midfield since making his international debut in 2004, and will need to put in a colossal series of performances if the Jamaicans are to emulate their legendary bobsled team and shock the world at the 2015 Copa America.
The uncompromising midfielder, whose boundless energy and ferocious tackling are vital to the team's success, finds himself without a club after being released by Leeds United at the end of the recently completed season. While looking to help the Reggae Boyz make an unexpected run beyond the group stage in Chile, Austin will undoubtedly be hoping an impressive performance against some of the world's most dizzying attacking talent will result in a contract.
The Star
In Darren Mattocks, Jamaica boasts a forward who is capable - though he has struggled to showcase it consistently throughout his career with the Vancouver Whitecaps - of dominating matches on his own with a mixture of raw pace and a willingness to run at defenders.
The 24-year-old, who has scored in five of his last six international matches - including the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Venezuela in March - is expected to lead the line for the Reggae Boyz in Chile. He'll be required to find the net if the team is to have any chance of turning their manager's hopes of a quarterfinal appearance into reality.
Mattocks has the raw talent. Can he put it all together on what will be the biggest stage of his young career so far?
The Young Gun
Kemar Lawrence is quickly developing into Jamaica's most exciting player.
The New York Red Bulls left-back, who has made the position his own despite not having a contract with the club until the second week of the MLS season, often looks as though he's been shot out of a cannon when flying up and down the left flank, using his blistering pace to both cover for central defenders and get forward and contribute in attack.
Affectionately known as "Taxi" - a nickname he was given by a primary school coach because of his speed and affinity for taking cabs to training - Lawrence will be relied upon to drive his side forward and drop off pinpoint balls into the area for his strikers to attack. (I regret nothing.)
Developing into something of a household name in Major League Soccer, Lawrence will be hoping his reputation continues to skyrocket during his time in Chile, however long that may be.
Burning Questions
- Can a team lacking a legitimate star capable of dominating matches on his own compete in a group that is chock-full of them?
- How will Schafer manage his attacking options, finding time for the trio of Mattocks, Barnes, and Brown?
- Will a side that has played recent matches against the likes of Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti be able to jump into the fire and adjust to what is clearly a massive step up in talent?
Odds and Ends
Nickname: The Reggae Boyz
Most caps: Ian Goodison (120)
Top scorer: Luton Shelton (35)
Best Copa America result: None