Defending Caribbean Cup champs under the pump

If Mount Pleasant Football Academy are to keep their Caribbean Cup title defence alive, they will need a strong performance when they face Portmore United at the National Stadium today.

Mount Pleasant and Portmore will meet in a Group B fixture, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

The St Ann-based club is still searching for their first victory in the competition after suffering a defeat and securing a draw against Dominican Republic outfits Cibao FC and Salcedo FC, respectively, in their opening two matches.

Those results have left their title defence hanging by a thread, with Mount Pleasant rooted to the bottom of the standings on one point.

Head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore is fully aware of the challenge ahead but remains confident that his team can deliver when it matters most.

He said the players have trained well leading up to the encounter and are in the right frame of mind to perform.

“I think we are in a good space. I think we are ready for tomorrow,” Whitmore said.

“The guys, they know the tasks, they know the objectives. So I think this week our preparation went well.”

Whitmore, however, is anticipating another stern test against the reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions.

He described Portmore as a difficult team to break down and a well-organised unit with players capable of deciding matches.

“We’re playing against a good team, good opponent. Very organised. There are players who know how to win games,” he said.

“We are aware of that, but I think we have to come with our A game,” he continued.

Scoring goals

For Whitmore, one of the keys to overcoming Portmore will be his team’s ability to turn chances into goals.

Mount Pleasant have scored twice in their last two matches but have squandered several opportunities, registering 27 shots, with 11 on target.

Of those 27 attempts, 17 came from inside the penalty area, suggesting that the team has struggled with its finishing.

“I think the key is always how we execute. We want to play with intensity. We want to focus. We want to play in and out of possession. But most importantly, we have to score goals,” said Whitmore.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com