Jamaica faces two more tests

Jamaica, the first U.S. opponent in the Hexagonal, tied Venezuela 0-0 Feb. 12 in Kingston in its first full international of the year.

Despite good work from midfielders Peter Cargill, Theodore Whitmore and Steve Malcolm, Jamaica could not score on Venezuela, traditionally the weakest of the 10 South American teams.

Coach Rene Simoes used New Hampshire College star Dean Sewell at right back in the game. Sewell, who had been a part of the national team program in the early ’90s, was a Division II all-America for the Penmen this past season.

Rhode Island all-America Andrew Williams was used off the bench.

Jamaica hosts Bermuda and Puerto Rico this week in Kingston in qualifying for the 1997 Shell/Umbro Caribbean Cup.

Ticos reach agreement with Pachuca

Like the United States, Costa Rica faces conflicts with its many players abroad.

According to officials of Mexican club Pachuca, they have reached an agreement with the Costa Rican federation to release strikers Hernan Medford and Roy Myers for half of the qualifiers. They’ll be available for the first two games against Mexico March 16 and the United States a week later. They will also be available in June when Costa Rica travels for the first time to the Copa America.

Two players who won’t have conflicts are Paulo Wanchope and Mauricio Solis. Costa Rica’s top two young talents returned from a three-week trial at English club Queen’s Park Rangers. Both players were impressive — Wanchope had six goals in three reserve league games — but QPR was turned off by the conflicts they have with qualifying. Both also faced the difficult task of obtaining work permits.

“I would say that it is not impossible,” their California-based agent Bob McNab told the Costa Rican daily La Nacion, “but it’s very difficult.”

Costa Rica plays Venezuela tonight in its second friendly of the year in Heredia.

New coach Horacio Cordero will be looking closely at the combination of Solis, Benjamin Mayorga and Luis Diego Arnaez in midfield.

Up front, Cordero will employ Gerald Drummond and Allan Oviedo in front of Ronald Chaves.

Ronald Gonzalez and Luis Marin are back together in the middle of the defense.

Costa Rica’s final warmup is against Cameroon March 9.

Mexico vs. Guatemala tonight in Fresno

Mexico’s first team will be in action night at Fresno’s Bulldog Stadium when it meets Guatemala.

The only two starters absent are the injured Jorge Campos and Benjamin Galindo.

Coach Bora Milutinovic had hoped to use Luis Hernandez, but the Necaxa striker is suffering from a leg injury.

Tonight’s probable starting lineups:

Mexico — Rios, Pardo, Suarez, Davino, R.Ramirez, Coyote, Bernal, N.Ramirez, Alfaro, Hermosillo, Zague.

Guatemala — Obando, German Ruano, Leon, Molina, Giron, Salguero, Funes, Valencia, Julio Rodas, Plata, Acevedo.

Canadians sweep Santa Barbara series

Canada, meanwhile, wrapped the first stage of of its pre-Hexagonal training camp in Santa Barbara, Calif. Bob Lenarduzzi’s team won all three games against local all-star teams 1-0, 3-0 and 7-0. Garret Kusch, who played NAIA ball last fall for Simon Fraser, had a hat trick in the 7-0 win.

New England Revs midfielder Geoff Aunger had at least one goal in each game.

The remainder of Canada’s training camp before its March 2 opener at Mexico:
Feb. 19-23 in Ft. Lauderdale; Feb. 23-28 outside Mexico City; Feb. 28-March 2 in Mexico City.