Job done

Reggae Boyz interim head coach Rudolph Speid believes Jamaica achieved several of its key objectives in qualifying for the quarterfinals of the 2026 Concacaf Nations League while giving a number of young players valuable international experience.

Jamaica advanced to the knockout stage following Monday’s 1-1 draw with Honduras at the Chelato Ucles National Stadium, finishing second in Group B on seven points.

Although the Boyz were unable to hold on to their lead after Tyreece Campbell’s 27th-minute opener, Speid said the result was enough to fulfil the team’s main target.

“Maybe [we deserved the win], but we did what we set out to do, which was qualify for the next round,” Speid said during the post-match press conference.

Jamaica will now face Mexico in a two-legged quarterfinal tie in November, with the winner automatically qualifying for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.

For Speid, however, the significance of the campaign extended beyond qualification. Jamaica used the four-match series to assess several players who could become long-term members of the national programme.

“Six or seven players played their first game for Jamaica in this series of games,” he said.

“We were able to look at about 25 players over the four matches, and it will form the basis of our squad going forward. We have been able to see all the players play in top-level competition games.”

Speid believes the experience gained by the younger players will be crucial as Jamaica looks ahead to the next cycle, including preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

He pointed to Toronto FC’s Jahmarie Nolan and Waterhouse’s Jamone Lyle, both of whom gained valuable senior international minutes during the campaign.

Nolan also marked his debut with an assist in Jamaica’s victory over El Salvador.

“They were very young, 16 or 17-year-olds. It’s very good for the future of Jamaica and to qualify for the 2030 World Cup,” he said.

Game of two halves

Speid described Monday’s draw against Honduras as a game of two halves, with Jamaica creating several opportunities on the counterattack in the first period before Honduras took control after the break.

He explained that as Honduras increased the pressure late in the match, he made a series of substitutions to protect the point Jamaica needed to advance.

“Honduras was really putting a lot of pressure on us, so I really wanted to stem the tide,” Speid said.

“I thought the first half belonged to us. The second half probably belongs to them.”

With their quarterfinal place secured, Jamaica will now turn its focus to a two-legged showdown with Mexico, with Gold Cup qualification and continued momentum towards the next World Cup cycle on the line.

The winner of the tie will automatically qualify for the Gold Cup, while the loser will have to navigate the qualifying route.

This will be Jamaica’s third consecutive appearance in the Nations League quarter-finals. The country’s best finish came in 2024 when it secured the bronze medal.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com