Friends, rivals, former teammates face off

Familiar faces in unfamiliar colours will square off today when Montego Bay United (MBU) face Phoenix Chapelton Maroons in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season opener at Jarrett Park starting at 3:30 p.m., with five former MBU players set to line up against their old club.

While four matches are on the schedule as the new JPL season gets underway, the MBU-Chapelton clash could provide an intriguing glimpse of the intensity and competitiveness expected to shape the campaign, with both teams looking to make an immediate statement.

For MBU, however, the objective is clear: get the season off to a winning start and begin their push for the title on a positive note.

Newly appointed head coach Javier Ainstein told The Gleaner that his team is fully committed to securing all three points.

“The team that is wanting the title, is wanting the first spot on the table. We are committed with the expectations that we have in this team or club for the match against Chapelton. All the matches, it is our responsibility to want the three points and win the match,” said Ainstein.

“It is not just to win, we are committed to do a good show up for our fan base, and we have high expectations for this match and for the season,” he added.

The former champions will be seeking to build on a strong campaign last season when they finished second in the standings on 71 points before advancing to the playoffs.

However, their title hopes ended in the semifinals after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Cavalier SC, while Mount Pleasant edged them 3-2 in the third-place match to secure qualification for the Caribbean Football Union Club Shield.

Ainstein, who was announced as the club’s new head coach in June following his resignation from Waterhouse FC, believes the pressure that comes with competing for a title should serve as motivation rather than a burden.

“The pressure is a privilege. I prefer to work on a team that is wanting the title and not to work for a team that is fighting to not be relegated. Fighting relegation is real pressure, and for the title is a high motivation for us, the players, staff, and everybody who is committed,” he said.

The Panama-based Argentine is also keen to avoid making wholesale changes to a team that performed well last season.

“I believe that the team made a very good campaign because we’re on top spot almost last season. You don’t want to be here and try to change everything,” Ainstein said.

He also believes playing at home could give MBU an advantage, but stressed that it will not dictate how his team approaches the game.

“Now playing home at Jarrett Park, maybe it’s a condition, but it doesn’t determine the way that we play. Just we need to take care in some areas of the pitch to control the ball,” he added.

Ainstein becomes MBU’s fifth head coach in four seasons, adding another layer of intrigue to the club’s campaign as they seek to go one step further this season.

There has not been much separating the teams. MBU won their first meeting 2-0 last season before Chapelton turned the tables with a 3-1 victory in the return fixture.

For Chapelton, the opening fixture presents an opportunity to make an early statement against one of the league’s title contenders.

Craig Butler, founder of Phoenix Sports Management, expressed confidence in the Maroons’ preparation and squad ahead of the encounter.

“I expect the team to do very well. It’s well prepared and a very strong team. We did a lot of recruitment, and we also kept and maintained our really talented youths, so we’re looking for a very strong game against Montego Bay,” said Butler.

“Montego Bay have been our rivals, but at the same time, they’ve also been our friends in the league, and so we’d like to continue to perform. We want to beat them, but we want to beat them same way with love,” added Butler.

Chapelton missed out on the playoffs last season after finishing eighth, but Butler believes the combination of new recruits and promising young players can make a difference this campaign.

Among the players expected to add an interesting subplot to today’s encounter are several former MBU players who have switched allegiance to Chapelton.

Brian Brown, Leonard Rankin, Jordan Britto, Josiah Trimmingham and Darnell Hospedales are among those who have made the move, with Butler particularly excited about Brown’s ability in front of goal.

“We have a couple players from them. The key is to understand that they are at Phoenix now, and they’re committed to Phoenix. We are liking what we’re seeing. Brian is a top player, very good goalscorer,” Butler told The Gleaner.

“Last year, we created a lot of chances, but we didn’t have a finisher, and he’s able to finish. So we’re excited about having him up front and also younger players to come in, perform and finish,” he added.

Chapelton, who made their JPL debut in the 2022-23 season, are entering their fourth campaign in the top flight after previously competing in the Clarendon FA Major League.

The Maroons will play their home matches this season at the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann, sharing the venue with Mount Pleasant FA.