Reggae Boyz jet off for Costa Rica friendly

TORONTO FC striker, O'Brian White, has been included in Theodore Whitmore's 18-man Reggae Boyz squad, which will face Costa Rica in a friendly international at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

White, a former Ocho Rios High standout who has represented Jamaica at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 levels, has never been included in a senior Jamaica squad before. He got a call-up for Jamaica's previous friendly international - against Trinidad and Tobago last month - but could not take up the offer due to club commitments.

However, the Canadian Major League Soccer franchise has not advanced to the decisive stages of the North American Championship, thus, White is available and Whitmore, as well as the other members of his coaching staff, is keen to have a look at the forward, prior to the Digicel Caribbean Cup Finals, which will be held in Martinique beginning late November.

Defending champions

The Jamaicans are the defending champions and have also included a number of players who are expected to play a key role in their title defence.

New York Red Bulls winger, Dane Richards, numbers among those individuals, along with European-based players Luton Shelton, a striker with a healthy scoring tally for the national team, along with midfielders Rodolph Austin and Jason Morrison.

Also included is regular captain and sweeper, Shavar Thomas, who plays in the MLS; and goalkeeper Dwayne Miller, who has been doing exceptionally well in Europe.

The Jamaicans are expected to hold a training session at the Lockhart Stadium this evening, beginning at 6 p.m., and another tomorrow, between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

The full squad is: Goalkeepers - Richard McCallum, Dwayne Miller; Defenders - Shavar Thomas, Adrian Reid, Keneil Moodie, Jermaine Taylor, O'Brian Woodbine; Midfielders - Richard Edwards, Keammar Daley, Troy Smith, Rodolph Austin, Lovel Palmer, Jason Morrison, Dane Richards; Forwards - Dever Orgill, Luton Shelton, Shaun Francis, O'Brian White.

The officials are: Linnel McLean (head of delegation), Theodore Whitmore (head coach), Bradley Stewart (assistant coach), Warren Barrett (goalkeeper coach), Dennis Howard Bell (team manager), Dr Derrick McDowell (team doctor), Norman Stone (equipment manager).