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Big chance for Cummings
GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor
René Simoes ...the national jersey can be heavy. - file
A Jamaica squad heavily laden with local-based players will face El Salvador in a friendly football international tomorrow in the United States.
But its US-based newcomer Omar Cummings who could draw particularly keen attention from a Reggae Boyz coaching staff still searching for additional talent ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
According to technical director René Simoes, the 26-year-old forward, a second-year starter with US Major League Soccer's (MLS) Colorado Rapids, is likely to get significant playing time against El Salvador. Simoes recently went to the US to see Cummings play an MLS game and came away impressed by the speedy 5' 10", 165-pound player who has so far notched four goals and two assists for his club.
"This is a player I've had interest in him," Simoes said yesterday from the team's hotel in Texas. "I saw him play against DC United. He was doing well ... I like what I see."
GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor
René Simoes ...the national jersey can be heavy. - file
A Jamaica squad heavily laden with local-based players will face El Salvador in a friendly football international tomorrow in the United States.
But its US-based newcomer Omar Cummings who could draw particularly keen attention from a Reggae Boyz coaching staff still searching for additional talent ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
According to technical director René Simoes, the 26-year-old forward, a second-year starter with US Major League Soccer's (MLS) Colorado Rapids, is likely to get significant playing time against El Salvador. Simoes recently went to the US to see Cummings play an MLS game and came away impressed by the speedy 5' 10", 165-pound player who has so far notched four goals and two assists for his club.
"This is a player I've had interest in him," Simoes said yesterday from the team's hotel in Texas. "I saw him play against DC United. He was doing well ... I like what I see."
More proof
But the Brazilian needs more proof Cummings is ready to join the Reggae Boyz for the August 20 qualifier against Canada and the remaining games on the road to World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Simoes said although Cummings, who was scheduled to join the squad yesterday, has been impressive at club level, he needs to see him perform on the international stage.
The transition, he explained, is not always easy and many struggle to make it successfully.
"Some players are club players," the technical director said. "The national jersey can be heavy."
Omar Cummings
With no other warm-up game officially announced prior to the Canada match, Cummings will probably have his only opportunity tomorrow to prove to the technical director that he is ready to take the next step.
Already in front of him in the pecking order for forwards are the likes of Marlon King, Ricardo Fuller and Luton Shelton, all experienced internationals.
"You cannot draft (Cummings) straight into the World Cup qualifier," Simoes explained. "You have to see him in a (international) game first."
Tomorrow will be the first time that Cummings will be part of a senior Reggae Boyz team under Simoes's guidance. Although he was invited, club commitments prevented him from joining the team for a recent friendly in Grenada.
But the Brazilian needs more proof Cummings is ready to join the Reggae Boyz for the August 20 qualifier against Canada and the remaining games on the road to World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Simoes said although Cummings, who was scheduled to join the squad yesterday, has been impressive at club level, he needs to see him perform on the international stage.
The transition, he explained, is not always easy and many struggle to make it successfully.
"Some players are club players," the technical director said. "The national jersey can be heavy."
Omar Cummings
With no other warm-up game officially announced prior to the Canada match, Cummings will probably have his only opportunity tomorrow to prove to the technical director that he is ready to take the next step.
Already in front of him in the pecking order for forwards are the likes of Marlon King, Ricardo Fuller and Luton Shelton, all experienced internationals.
"You cannot draft (Cummings) straight into the World Cup qualifier," Simoes explained. "You have to see him in a (international) game first."
Tomorrow will be the first time that Cummings will be part of a senior Reggae Boyz team under Simoes's guidance. Although he was invited, club commitments prevented him from joining the team for a recent friendly in Grenada.
Club decisions
Club decisions have also ruled out other MLS players Tyrone Marshall of Toronto FC, and Dane Richards of New York Red Bulls,for the El Salvador match, according to team manager Vin Blaine. But veteran Andy Williams, of MLS's Real Salt Lake, along with Trinidad-based Wolry Wolfe, was expected to join the squad yesterday in Texas. Another squad member, Jevaughn Watson of local team Sporting Central, did not receive his US visa in time to leave Jamaica with the other 16 players, a group that includes English-born Nathan Koo-Boothe. Watson was scheduled to arrive at the Texas camp yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Boyz have settled into their accommodations in Texas, despite flight delays which forced their arrival at a Texas hotel around 3 a.m. Wednesday. Training sessions were scheduled for yesterday and this evening.
The squad was greeted warmly - literally - on arrival in the 'Lone Star State' with temperatures hovering around the mid-90s and humid. According to Simoes, flight delays and climate changes are part of the learning experience for the Boyz.
"It's just another thing we have to get used to," he said. "They have to learn to adapt."
Game time tomorrow is 6 p.m. (Texas and Jamaica time) at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.
Club decisions have also ruled out other MLS players Tyrone Marshall of Toronto FC, and Dane Richards of New York Red Bulls,for the El Salvador match, according to team manager Vin Blaine. But veteran Andy Williams, of MLS's Real Salt Lake, along with Trinidad-based Wolry Wolfe, was expected to join the squad yesterday in Texas. Another squad member, Jevaughn Watson of local team Sporting Central, did not receive his US visa in time to leave Jamaica with the other 16 players, a group that includes English-born Nathan Koo-Boothe. Watson was scheduled to arrive at the Texas camp yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Boyz have settled into their accommodations in Texas, despite flight delays which forced their arrival at a Texas hotel around 3 a.m. Wednesday. Training sessions were scheduled for yesterday and this evening.
The squad was greeted warmly - literally - on arrival in the 'Lone Star State' with temperatures hovering around the mid-90s and humid. According to Simoes, flight delays and climate changes are part of the learning experience for the Boyz.
"It's just another thing we have to get used to," he said. "They have to learn to adapt."
Game time tomorrow is 6 p.m. (Texas and Jamaica time) at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.
