Mt Pleasant talisman returns today

Veteran midfielder Sue-Lae McCalla is set to make his return to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) today when he suits up for Mount Pleasant Academy against hosts Dunbeholden. Match time is 3:30 p.m.

McCalla, 33, recently rejoined the St Ann-based club after spending a year on loan at Belgian amateur side RAEC Mons.

Mount Pleasant sporting director Paul Christie said the club is delighted to welcome back its captain.

“Our longstanding captain would have had a one-year stint in Belgium with our partner club and he would have garnered a lot of experience over the year. It is a part of the MOU that both clubs share, so he is back and scheduled to play very soon,” Christie said.

“He has not missed a beat because it is a really good level that he was playing at in Belgium. He trained consistently, has a lot of personal discipline, and it is like he has never left. He is back in excellent condition.”

Christie added that McCalla’s experience abroad will positively impact the team.

“He has bled the blue all his life since I have been here at Mount Pleasant, so it is a no-brainer to incorporate him back into the team. He understands the culture, the mindset, and it was deliberate why he was chosen as captain,” Christie explained.

“It was also deliberate when he was allowed to go over to RAEC Mons in Belgium with other Jamaican players, because he helped them settle based on his leadership skills. That project is now in an advanced stage, so we think this is the perfect time to have him back to help advance the Caribbean and Concacaf project we have here in Jamaica.”

McCalla, one of the longest-serving players at the club, played a pivotal role in Mount Pleasant’s 2023 JPL title triumph.

Mount Pleasant, winless from two games this season, enter today’s contest following a 1-0 defeat to Racing United last weekend and a 4-0 loss to Tru-Juice in their opener. They will face Club Sando of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Cup semifinals on October 14.

“We would always love to start on a winning note, but we can understand that we were playing two games a week and the priority at that moment was to give ourselves the best chance to advance in the Caribbean Cup,” Christie said.

“We are still on target to win the Caribbean Cup and to make ourselves Jamaica Premier League champions. There is no cause for concern. We understand points need to be on the board, but it is a long season with 40 more games left, so we will catch up.”