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Whitmore back again, this time hoping to bring Jamaica some Gold Cup glory
By Gavin Day
Jamaica has tried some big names, now it once more will try the one coach that hasn't lost a game for the Reggae Boyz.
Theodore Whitmore has returned as interim manager for the third time, this time taking the Reggae Boyz of into CONCACAF Gold Cup after they missed the tournament in 2007.
Whitmore is the third manager in nine months following Rene Simoes, who was let go after Jamaica was virtually eliminated from World Cup qualifying, and John Barnes, who left in early June to become manager of English third-division club side Tranmere Rovers.
The transition should be a smooth one, since Whitmore was an assistant under both Simoes and Barnes.
Whitmore, who filled in after Bora Milutinovic was dismissed in November 2007, nearly rescued Jamaica's World Cup qualifying chances last fall, beating Mexico, Honduras and Canada before being eliminated on goal difference.
Barnes replaced Whitmore for the Digicel Caribbean Championship, leading Jamaica to a fourth title and seemingly on track for a bright Gold Cup. But his interest in England made him expendable.
The 36-year-old Whitmore's familiarity with the team is bolstered by his record: unbeaten in six games as head of the Reggae Boyz. In his six games, Jamaica did not concede a goal.
The team is bolstered by a number of European-based players. Forward Luton Shelton of Aalborg in Denmark joined the squad for the last of three friendlies this spring. He has scored 27 times for his country in 42 appearances.
The team also features a number of locally based players. Richard Edwards from Harbour View and Navian Boyd and Roland Dean of Tivoli Gardens, were impressive in the prep games and could figure into Whitmore's plans.
So far this spring, Jamaica drew with Haiti 2-2 draw in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and 0-0 against El Salvador in Washington and beat Panama 3-2 - all fellow Gold Cup qualifiers.
With its Caribbean title in hand, Jamaica will try to at least match its best Gold Cup finish - a semifinal appearance in 1993. Its run ended with a 6-1 loss to Mexico in the semis, and then tied Costa Rica in the third-place game.
This time out, Jamaica will open in Group A at the Home Depot Centre in Los Angeles July 3 against Canada for their third meeting in 11 months.
The Reggae Boyz then travel to Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, to face Costa Rica on July 6 before finishing the first round against El Salvador on July 10 against El Salvador at Florida International University Stadium in Miami.
http://www.goldcup.org/page/GoldCup/...696988,00.html
By Gavin Day
Jamaica has tried some big names, now it once more will try the one coach that hasn't lost a game for the Reggae Boyz.
Theodore Whitmore has returned as interim manager for the third time, this time taking the Reggae Boyz of into CONCACAF Gold Cup after they missed the tournament in 2007.
Whitmore is the third manager in nine months following Rene Simoes, who was let go after Jamaica was virtually eliminated from World Cup qualifying, and John Barnes, who left in early June to become manager of English third-division club side Tranmere Rovers.
The transition should be a smooth one, since Whitmore was an assistant under both Simoes and Barnes.
Whitmore, who filled in after Bora Milutinovic was dismissed in November 2007, nearly rescued Jamaica's World Cup qualifying chances last fall, beating Mexico, Honduras and Canada before being eliminated on goal difference.
Barnes replaced Whitmore for the Digicel Caribbean Championship, leading Jamaica to a fourth title and seemingly on track for a bright Gold Cup. But his interest in England made him expendable.
The 36-year-old Whitmore's familiarity with the team is bolstered by his record: unbeaten in six games as head of the Reggae Boyz. In his six games, Jamaica did not concede a goal.
The team is bolstered by a number of European-based players. Forward Luton Shelton of Aalborg in Denmark joined the squad for the last of three friendlies this spring. He has scored 27 times for his country in 42 appearances.
The team also features a number of locally based players. Richard Edwards from Harbour View and Navian Boyd and Roland Dean of Tivoli Gardens, were impressive in the prep games and could figure into Whitmore's plans.
So far this spring, Jamaica drew with Haiti 2-2 draw in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and 0-0 against El Salvador in Washington and beat Panama 3-2 - all fellow Gold Cup qualifiers.
With its Caribbean title in hand, Jamaica will try to at least match its best Gold Cup finish - a semifinal appearance in 1993. Its run ended with a 6-1 loss to Mexico in the semis, and then tied Costa Rica in the third-place game.
This time out, Jamaica will open in Group A at the Home Depot Centre in Los Angeles July 3 against Canada for their third meeting in 11 months.
The Reggae Boyz then travel to Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, to face Costa Rica on July 6 before finishing the first round against El Salvador on July 10 against El Salvador at Florida International University Stadium in Miami.
http://www.goldcup.org/page/GoldCup/...696988,00.html
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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