Recognizing the victims of Jamaica's horrendous criminality and exposing the Dummies like Dippy supporting criminals by their deeds.. or their silence.
CARSON, California - Coach Theodore Whitmore was unwilling to sit through a repeat of the 2009 Gold Cup when Jamaica scored only one goal in three games.
The Reggae Boyz's usual attributes of speed and strength, he says, are simply not enough. That's why he took the team to a pre-Gold Cup training camp in Brazil, to focus on scoring.
"Possession and finishing is always a problem so we spent nine days in Brazil and spent a lot of focus on finishing and possession," Whitmore said. "It was basically to keep the players together, the camaraderie and everything."
Whitmore has carried the approach into training ahead of Jamaica's Gold Cup opener Monday night against Grenada, the team it beat in the semifinals of the Caribbean Cup.
While Jamaica's three opponents have held routine training since Friday, Whitmore has emphasized corner kicks and set-play sequences.
Not included was Colorado Rapids striker striker Omar Cummings, who was a late scratch from Jamaica's roster due to injury.
"It's a big blow, but come (Monday) you'll see that Jamaicans, man, we have a lot of players," goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts said. "Come (Monday) you'll see another player stepping up maybe as good, if not better."
Speculation has focused on players like New York Red Bulls striker Dane Richards or Ryan Johnson of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Some analysts have wondered aloud I this side is better than the 1998 World Cup squad that advanced to France.
But they won't come close without scoring goals.
"It's really hard," Whitmore said. "We have a lot of professional players now than then. "But I guess the whole attitude and everything, that sort of mentality, the winning mentality, we want to get that back on our team and we'll need more leaders."
The reigning Caribbean champ, Jamaica reached the semifinals of the Gold Cup in 1993 and 1998, but have not advanced past the quarterfinals since. It didn't qualify in 2007 and didn't get out of the first round two years ago.
Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else - Vince Lombardi
Recognizing the victims of Jamaica's horrendous criminality and exposing the Dummies like Dippy supporting criminals by their deeds.. or their silence.
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