Jamaica’s nationwide senior males’s soccer crew begins its marketing campaign on the Copa America in opposition to reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico on Saturday on the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 pm (EST).
And head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, has famous that it’s a privilege for the Reggae Boyz to take part within the competitors, making their third look within the prestigious match, and they’re the one Caribbean nation within the 2024 version.
The match commenced on Thursday, with Lionel Messi’s brilliance main Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Canada on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Jamaica is grouped with Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela in Group B. The winner of the group will advance to a quarter-final match in opposition to the second-place crew from Argentina’s Group A, which incorporates Canada, Chile, and Peru.
Hoping for a turnaround in Jamaica’s Copa America fortunes
Hallgrimsson, hoping for a turnaround in Jamaica’s Copa America fortunes, said, “It’s a case of seventh-time fortunate for the Reggae Boyz within the Group B opener.” Jamaica’s earlier Copa America outings have led to six losses from six matches. In distinction, Mexico might be making their eleventh look, having performed 49 matches, essentially the most by any CONCACAF nation. Mexico’s finest finishes had been runner-up in 1993 and 2001, with 5 semi-final appearances.
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Mexico, underneath head coach Jaime Lozano, goals to safe a second continental trophy in consecutive years. Santiago Gimenez, who scored the successful purpose within the 2023 Gold Cup remaining, might be one of many key gamers for Mexico. Edson Alvarez will captain the crew, bringing expertise from two Gold Cup titles and a number of CONCACAF Finest XI picks.
The Reggae Boyz, who certified for the match by reaching the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League finals, might be with out Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey. Bailey opted out of taking part in within the Copa America attributable to ongoing disputes with the Jamaica Soccer Federation.
Hallgrimsson addressed Bailey’s absence final week, stating, “On this case, he [Bailey] determined to not play for Jamaica. That’s his determination, and that’s each participant’s proper to refuse to play for his or her nation. He opted to try this, and that’s the top of the story for me, completely the top of the story. Now, I’d simply need everybody to concentrate on these gamers who wish to play for Jamaica, and let’s put our help and concentrate on these gamers.”
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A formidable squad
Regardless of Bailey’s absence, Hallgrimsson has referred to as up a formidable squad that includes Fulham’s Bobby Decordova-Reid, West Ham’s Michail Antonio, and Clermont striker Shamar Nicholson. Gold Cup Finest XI participant Demarai Grey will even be an important participant to look at.
Mexico has a powerful document at Houston’s NRG Stadium, being undefeated in all however considered one of their 11 official encounters there. Their final match in opposition to Jamaica at this venue was a 1-0 victory throughout the 2005 Gold Cup group stage. This match marks their second Copa America encounter, with the primary being in 2016 the place Mexico gained 2-0.
Whereas Mexico are favorites, they’ve misplaced three of their previous 4 matches, which could create some uncertainty for Lozano’s aspect. In distinction, Jamaica has gained three consecutive matches, together with a 1-0 victory over Panama and World Cup qualifying wins in opposition to Dominica and the Dominican Republic.
