INSIDE THIS ISSUE
* Unbeaten Jamaica Tops Group B in CONCACAF Gold Cup
* Reggae Boyz Observation & Congrats
* Lack of Reggae Boyz Fan Support at Gold Cup Games
* Are Jamaican players reaping the benefits of US Major League Soccer
* Jamaica U-17 World Cup is no walkover
Unbeaten Jamaica Tops Group B in CONCACAF Gold Cup
Jamaica' Reggae Boyz remained unbeaten in the first round of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup to top Group B with maximum nine points, five ahead of Honduras and Guatemala, with Grenada finishing without a point. Jamaica advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2005 and will face the Group C runner-up the United States on Sunday in Washington, D.C.
Jamaica's impressive first round run kicked off with a comfortable 4-0 win against Caribbean neighbors Grenada at the Home Depot Center in Carson California. The goals were scored by Luton Shelton, Ryan Johnson, Demar Phillips and Omar Daley. They followed up in their second game by overpowering Guatemala 2-0 last Friday night at the FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida.(see pictures here). A pair of second half goals from Demar Phillips helped The Reggae Boyz to become the second team to reach the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup. Their third and final Group game was against Honduras where Ryan Johnson’s first half goal gave Jamaica a 1-0 win in front of a sellout crowd of 25,000 at Red Bull Arena. Read more on the first round games in the News.
Reggae Boyz Observation & Congrats
BY Karl
Forum General
This 2011 GC, presented me with the opportunity to watch our national team play in consecutive games. I must say I am deeply impressed with what I have seen thus far. When I reference this team to pre and post 98 World Cup teams I am looking at dramatic improvements. I can clearly see Tappa Whitmore's finger print all over this group.
Gone are the days of many reckless tackles, booting the ball all over the place. I see an identity in this team. While in prior years, the duration of the game would feature a desire to play EPL long ball and confusion with the Brazilian style. Now i see a unique mix of Brazilian possession and our natural toughness and SPEED. Even though i think we can blend this features together much better and play a bit faster. Read More on Karl's observation of the Gold Cup team
Lack of Reggae Boyz Fan Support at Gold Cup Games
Forum members who went to the CONCACAF First Round games are making it known that there needs to be more fan support at the games especially when the team is playing as well as they did in the first three games.
BRUCE, a forum member posted
"I wanted to speak directly to the lack of support for the boyz last night, I know there has been many comments about this on the forum but I want to take the discussion to another level. It concerns me that I was walking into the Red Bulls stadium yesterday and was drowned out by the Honduras team's supporters. I would have expected our Jamaicans especially in the New York and surrounding areas to be out in force. During the game the Honduran noises made the the Jamaicans cheers sound like whispers." Read more from Bruce
LANNYD
also posted "The JFF should say thanks for the forumites. Of the 1000 Jakans who were there, I'd say at least 10% (including you, me Ms. Caroline, Technic, Scalie (from ova suh etc) were directly or indirectly connected to one of the two forums. If the JFF legitimized the forums as affiliates and worked with them on promotional ideas, then maybe the forumites would do some more work to canvass supporters ahead of games, purchase JFF products, and just support the team in their ventures (I hope the JFF is listening). Noticed how the Boyz came over to 225 and saluted us after the game". Follow the chat here.
Are Jamaica players reaping the benefits of US Major League Soccer
A recent article on Yahoo Sports points out how much the the league is helping the Caribbean nations especially Jamaica with a grand total of nine players, nearly a third of the 32 total MLS player represented in the tournament. A female member on the forum, Miss Caroline agrees that Jamaicans are benefiting. "MLS is putting our boyz on show" she says. "It gives them notoriety. The money may not be the best to start with, but it gives them a sense of accomplishment. They are earning their keep. They also become more skilled at their game. It has its pros and cons. Don't you agree"? Well, clearly DDread has a different perspective as he states "The MLS also benefits from cheap Jamaican players. Who benefits more, MLS or Jamaica?" Read the article and follow the discussion
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Jamaica U-17 World Cup Group is no walkover.
 BY Simon Preston
Reggae Boyz Sports Analyst
Forum Member: Jamaicanyouth
A look into the qualification of Jamaica's U17 football team to the World Cup in Mexico by Reggae Boyz columnist and sports reporter Simon Preston. Read his comments here
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