Marshall, Cummings out

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's senior national football team has been dealt two more crushing blows on the eve of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Following on the heels of Ian Goodison's omission for failing to join the squad for a recent training camp in Brazil, striker Omar Cummings and defender Tyrone Marshall will also miss at least the Reggae Boyz's opening game of the tournament, which kicks off tomorrow in the United States.

Cummings and Marshall had been selected in the original squad and were scheduled to join the Boyz in California ahead of Jamaica's first game, on Monday against Grenada at the Home Depot Center in the city of Carson.

But the speedy 28-year-old striker, who has played 21 times for Jamaica's senior team, is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered while playing for his club, Colorado Rapids, in US Major League Soccer (MLS).

According to a club source, the St Catherine native is only able to jog and participate in light on-field exercises. He is unable to change direction sharply and still not allowed to join contact drills.

Cummings' return to action could still be weeks away, the source said, meaning he is definitely out for Monday's game and is likely to miss the entire Gold Cup, which runs from June 5-25.

When asked about the physical condition of his club and national teammate, Marshall confirmed Cummings is unlikely to be ready for action in the near future.

"Omar's ankle is still bothering him," said Marshall yesterday from Colorado. "He's out of the Gold Cup, period.

"... Obviously he thought he would be ready for the Gold Cup but ... he's definitely a way away from being back to full strength."

Meanwhile, Marshall, a veteran of 70 caps who joined Colorado this season as an insurance policy for the reigning MLS champions, has been summoned for major club action recently due to injuries to regular starters at his position.

The Rapids have a home MLS game today against the Philadelphia Union and a few others lined up for the weeks ahead, where the 36-year-old is expected to possibly play a key role.

Might play later

"I'm definitely out for the Grenada game," he said, "because of some injuries here at the club."

According to Marshall, if the club's situation improves enough for him to leave, he could join Jamaica later in the Gold Cup.

"I was supposed to meet up with the team in (Carson)," he explained. "Now I won't be there for the first game, but maybe as the tournament progresses.

"At the club, the injury bug has hit us. It's kind of tough."

Jamaica's squad, which arrived in California on Thursday, also includes central defenders Shavar Thomas, Adrian Reid, Jermaine Taylor and Dicoy Williams. Thomas, Taylor and Williams also play in MLS.