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Andy Williams knows what ails the Reggae Boyz, currently stuck in a four-game losing skid.
"I think Jamaica's national team lacks a creative midfielder," declared Williams, who played that role often in more than 90 internationals for the Boyz and follows the seniors' progress "absolutely, every game."
Without imaginative, playmaking flair and the consistent threat to score from the centre of the park, he explained, a promising core of attackers, including Omar Cummings, Ryan Johnson, Ricardo Fuller, Luton Shelton and Dane Richards, are in danger of becoming wasted talent during Jamaica's bid for a place at football's 2014 World Cup.
"They're all top-quality forwards," said Williams, who plays for United States Major League Soccer (MLS) club Real Salt Lake (RSL).
"If you can't feed those guys (the ball), you know, you're not going to score many goals. They're just gonna run up and down all day."
Yet, despite owning the precise tools to help fix Jamaica's problems, and in possibly the best form of his career, the skilful 34-year-old has ruled himself out.
"(Jamaica Football Federation representatives) always asked me about the national team and I just tell them right away, 'nah, I'm finished'," said Williams, currently focused on RSL's run to the 2011 MLS title, which the club won in 2009.
He believes Jamaica's younger players deserve opportunities.
"They're the ones who need to establish their career," Williams said.
medical condition
The medical condition of his wife, Marcia, who is recovering from cancer, has also factored into his decision. Williams worries about her care whenever football takes him away from home in Utah. This year, she was hospitalised for weeks. Williams is always on high alert.
"I have to be ready to take a flight every time," he said.
Yet, Williams believes Jamaica's head coach Theodore Whitmore has a real option to the midfield playmaker puzzle.
"The most promising player I think for that role is Keammar Daley," said the man nicknamed 'Bomber'. "He seems to have the tools."
Daley, named in Jamaica's squad for the October 11 international against Honduras, impressed at the 2011 Gold Cup and signed with Preston North End in England. Williams pins his development - and possibly Jamaica's hopes - on playing time.
"Hopefully (Daley) can get some quality minutes, and not just in the reserves," he said. "It will help the national team."
The Boyz need a boost. Williams watched Jamaica set off on a promising Gold Cup, before losing to US in the quarter-final, then crash to China, Ecuador and Colombia. He's convinced he could contribute to a turnaround.
"I do think I could help," said Williams, who insisted he will only reconsider Jamaica's invitations with Marcia's blessings.
Observers agree. Jamaican-born Robin Fraser, who coaches Chivas USA in MLS, believes Williams, who played in World Cup 1998, is in his prime.
"He is playing the best ball he's ever played," Fraser said earlier this year.
According to RSL coach Jason Kreis, if employed correctly Williams, who has made over 300 appearances for six clubs in an MLS career that began in 1998, would be an asset for Jamaica.
"I think every national team needs somebody with his type of experience," said Kreis.
"He's somebody to be there in the most critical matches; maybe not in every single match. You also need somebody like that to help with the younger players.
"So, I definitely feel like Andy Williams should be considered for international duties still."
"I think Jamaica's national team lacks a creative midfielder," declared Williams, who played that role often in more than 90 internationals for the Boyz and follows the seniors' progress "absolutely, every game."
Without imaginative, playmaking flair and the consistent threat to score from the centre of the park, he explained, a promising core of attackers, including Omar Cummings, Ryan Johnson, Ricardo Fuller, Luton Shelton and Dane Richards, are in danger of becoming wasted talent during Jamaica's bid for a place at football's 2014 World Cup.
"They're all top-quality forwards," said Williams, who plays for United States Major League Soccer (MLS) club Real Salt Lake (RSL).
"If you can't feed those guys (the ball), you know, you're not going to score many goals. They're just gonna run up and down all day."
Yet, despite owning the precise tools to help fix Jamaica's problems, and in possibly the best form of his career, the skilful 34-year-old has ruled himself out.
"(Jamaica Football Federation representatives) always asked me about the national team and I just tell them right away, 'nah, I'm finished'," said Williams, currently focused on RSL's run to the 2011 MLS title, which the club won in 2009.
He believes Jamaica's younger players deserve opportunities.
"They're the ones who need to establish their career," Williams said.
medical condition
The medical condition of his wife, Marcia, who is recovering from cancer, has also factored into his decision. Williams worries about her care whenever football takes him away from home in Utah. This year, she was hospitalised for weeks. Williams is always on high alert.
"I have to be ready to take a flight every time," he said.
Yet, Williams believes Jamaica's head coach Theodore Whitmore has a real option to the midfield playmaker puzzle.
"The most promising player I think for that role is Keammar Daley," said the man nicknamed 'Bomber'. "He seems to have the tools."
Daley, named in Jamaica's squad for the October 11 international against Honduras, impressed at the 2011 Gold Cup and signed with Preston North End in England. Williams pins his development - and possibly Jamaica's hopes - on playing time.
"Hopefully (Daley) can get some quality minutes, and not just in the reserves," he said. "It will help the national team."
The Boyz need a boost. Williams watched Jamaica set off on a promising Gold Cup, before losing to US in the quarter-final, then crash to China, Ecuador and Colombia. He's convinced he could contribute to a turnaround.
"I do think I could help," said Williams, who insisted he will only reconsider Jamaica's invitations with Marcia's blessings.
Observers agree. Jamaican-born Robin Fraser, who coaches Chivas USA in MLS, believes Williams, who played in World Cup 1998, is in his prime.
"He is playing the best ball he's ever played," Fraser said earlier this year.
According to RSL coach Jason Kreis, if employed correctly Williams, who has made over 300 appearances for six clubs in an MLS career that began in 1998, would be an asset for Jamaica.
"I think every national team needs somebody with his type of experience," said Kreis.
"He's somebody to be there in the most critical matches; maybe not in every single match. You also need somebody like that to help with the younger players.
"So, I definitely feel like Andy Williams should be considered for international duties still."
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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