‘Pressure is a gift’

Mount Pleasant Football Academy head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore insists his team will not be weighed down by the pressure that comes with being defending champions as they seek to rebound from a disappointing start to their 2026 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup campaign.

Mount Pleasant’s title defence got off to a stumbling start when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cibao FC in their opening Group B encounter.

The St Ann-based club will be seeking a change in fortunes when they face Dominican Republic outfit Salcedo FC today at Cibao Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

Despite carrying the expectations that accompany defending their title, Whitmore said his players are treating this year’s tournament as a new challenge.

He added that the expectations placed on the team are a privilege they have earned and one they intend to live up to.

“Well, first and foremost, we are glad to be here as defending champions. But for us, defending champions means nothing to us. This is a new tournament, so that’s our focus,” Whitmore said during yesterday’s pre-match press conference.

“I think as the defending champions, we feel no way under pressure. I think pressure is a gift. We just have to go out there, stick to our principles and make use of our chances. Once we can execute in the final third, that’s it for us.”

Whitmore acknowledged that the loss to Cibao was not the start his team had wanted, but said preparations for the Salcedo match have centred on the areas within their control.

Salcedo opened their campaign with a victory over Portmore United before playing to a goalless draw with Cavalier in their second match.

Whitmore said the objective is not to control everything, but rather to approach the contest with the right mindset.

“You can’t control everything, but what we do know and what we can control is the attitude, the effort, and just to go out there and make our fans and make Mount Pleasant proud,” he said.

‘MORE CHARACTER’

Mount Pleasant goalkeeper Shaquan Davis echoed his coach’s sentiments, saying the mood within the camp remains positive despite the opening defeat.

Davis believes their performance against Cibao was good enough to produce a victory on another day, but said they will need to show greater character against Salcedo.

“The mood of the team is good. We’re highly motivated, especially that we lost the last game that we played, knowing that we should have, or could have, won the game, even how we played and stuff,” Davis said.

“I think we need to show more character, to express who we are and set out to do what we are told to do, and we should get the results that we so badly want,” he continued.

For Whitmore, the Caribbean Cup remains an important platform for Mount Pleasant, with the club relishing the opportunity to represent Jamaica while attempting to retain its regional crown.

It is also a key component of the club’s ambition to remain among the region’s top teams and a destination for some of the Caribbean’s best players.

“It’s a good tournament that every club wants to be there. I think we have the privilege of representing our country, representing Mount Pleasant, and it’s really a privilege,” Whitmore said.

“We enjoy this tournament and we’re looking forward to going all the way to defend our title again.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com