INJURIES ROCK BOYZ - Speid explains selection decisions as Jamaica prepare for Mexico quarterfinal assignment

Several familiar faces will be missing from Jamaica’s squad for their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Mexico, with injuries, limited club appearances and other commitments influencing interim head coach Rudolph Speid’s selection.

The Reggae Boyz will play Mexico in a two-legged tie, with the first leg to be played at the National Stadium on November 14 before the return leg at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on November 17.

In announcing his squad, Speid admitted several familiar faces will be missing from action this window due to injuries and club commitments.

One of the notable absentees is Wrexham striker Bailey Cadamarteri who has been a regular in recent camps.

Speid explained Cadamarteri’s omission is not injury related, but rather a decision made to allow the forward to focus on his club career.

“He has been in every camp since his debut, but we just want him to get some minutes at his club,” Speid explained.

Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR) striker Rumarn Burrell and Ephron Mason-Clark were also omitted from the squad as both players are currently out injured.

Speid revealed Mason-Clark was initially selected for the squad but the Coventry City striker picked up an injury during a training session on Thursday.

Kaheem Parris, who has recently made waves in the UEFA Champions League, is also out injured with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) receiving a medical report from his club.

Speid also explained several players who have recently returned from injury were also omitted from the squad due to concerns surrounding their match fitness.

The Reggae Boyz boss said the demands of the quarterfinal meant he had to be more cautious with his squad selection.

“For a playoff game, you have to be sure of every single person that you put in that squad, because we only have 23,” he explained.

“If you have people that are doubtful and you bring them in the squad, you could end up with a lot less players than you really need. And I’m telling you, in this particular game, players have to be fit. Mexico is no joke.”

He said this criterion led to the omission of Leon Bailey, Ian Fray and Di’Shon Bernard.

Bailey recently made his way back from injury and scored his first goal from Greek club Olympiacos.

Similarly, Fray recently returned from injury which saw him miss a month of action for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).

For Bernard, the defender is just back from a knee injury which saw him sidelined for almost two years.

He last represented the national team during the quarterfinals of the 2024 Nations League.

In the case of veteran defender Ethan Pinnock, Speid explained he was omitted from the squad as he opted for Miguel Freckleton who impressed during the October international window.

“I thought Miguel Freckleton was outstanding. Ethan Pinnock is a good player, but every time you pick somebody, you have to drop out somebody. And I just thought that Freckleton, at this point in time, was the best option for us at left centre-half.”

The two legs will not only determine the semifinalists for the Nations League, but will also act as qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The winners will automatically qualify for the Gold Cup, while the losers will advance to the Gold Cup preliminary round.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Amal Knight, Jahmali Waite

Defenders: Christopher Ainsworth, Miguel Freckleton, Denzel Hall, Richard King, Joel Latibeaudiere, Damion Lowe, Kyle Ming, Ronaldo Webster

Midfielders: Karoy Anderson, Courtney Clarke, Brandon Cover, Tyrese Hall, Kevon Lambert, Dwight Merrick

Forwards: Warner Brown, Tyreece Campbell, Renaldo Cephas, Kaheim Dixon, Javon East, Khori Bennett

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com