Hot Mattocks for US game

DARREN MATTOCKS, the most exciting first-year player in the Major League Soccer (MLS), and the man considered the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year award in the league, was yesterday named to a Reggae Boyz squad of 24 for an encounter with the United States in group World Cup qualifier at 'The Office' on Friday, September 7.

Soon to be 22 years old, Mattocks made his national team debut on August 15 in a friendly international against El Salvador, coming on as a second-half substitute in Jamaica's 2-0 win. While he did not find the back of the net, Mattocks has an excellent record as a goal scorer, finding the target 39 times from 47 appearances for Akron University over a two-year period.

His outstanding performances saw him being drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in January, with the second overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. The skilful and speedy six-footer has not disappointed, scoring seven goals in 13 games - the most for his team and the most as a rookie. He has taken the second most shots for his team - 14 shots in all on goal for a conversion rate of 50 per cent of shots on goal.

Also included in the squad is the country's new central defensive pair of Reading's Adrian Mariappa and Watford's Nyron Nosworthy. Both played together at Watford before Mariappa's off-season move to the Premier League club. They made their national debut together in a 1-0 win over Guyana at Catherine Hall Stadium. This encounter will mark their fifth game together for the country.

Rodolph Austin, who earned the status of cult hero after just one game for Leeds United with a performance which saw him bossing the midfield, spraying passes forward and testing the opposing goalkeeper with a few long-range shots, is also included and is expected to be the engine of the team's midfield.

Beneficial partnership

The Turkey-based Luton Shelton, after his double strike against El Salvador, his first goals since the Gold Cup last June, should be full of confidence and eager to extend his record as the country's leading scorer. His partnership with Ryan Johnson, the man who assisted on both of his strikes against El Salvador, should also serve the team well.

Jamaica are seeking to take over the leadership of Group A as, despite the fact that both teams are on four points after two games in the four-team group, they are being edged out of first place by the United States, who have a superior goal difference.

SQUAD: Goalkeepers - Dwayne Miller (Syrianska, Sweden), Duwayne Kerr (Strommen, Norway), Jacomeno Barrett (Montego Bay United, Jamaica). Defenders - Jermaine Taylor (Houston Dynamo, USA), Adrian Mariappa (Reading FC, England), Dicoy Williams (Toronto FC, Canada), Andrae Campbell (Nottodden SK, Norway), Nyron Nosworthy (Watford FC, England), Shavar Thomas (Montreal Impact, Canada), Lovel Palmer (Portland Timbers, USA), O'Brian Woodbine (VPS Vaasa, Finland). Midfielders - Rodolph Austin (Leeds, England), Je-Vaughn Watson (Houston Dynamo, USA), Errol Stevens (Arnett Gardens FC, Jamaica), Jason Morrison (Aalesund, Norway), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United, Jamaica), Joel Senior (Harbour View, Jamaica). Forwards - Luton Shelton (Karabukspor, Turkey), Ryan Johnson (Toronto FC, Canada), Kavin Bryan (Vicem Hai Phong, Vietnam), Dane Richards (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids, USA), Tramaine Stewart (Aalesund, Norway), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada).