IN BRIEF
Date: Wednesday, September 8
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
TV: None.
Radio: Check Jamaica Radio for online broadcast at www.radiojamaica.com
U.S. Outlook
Unbeaten against Boyz: The United States has never lost to Jamaica in eight matches (five wins and three ties). The teams tied twice in qualifying for France ’98 (0-0 in Kingston and 1-1 in Washington).
Last victory in Kingston: Midfielder Frank Klopas notched two goals in the second half and forward Jovan Kirovski tallied his first international goal as the U.S. convincingly defeated Jamaica 3-0 at the National Stadium on November 22, 1994. Kirovski, 18 at the time, ignited the U.S. in the 25th minute after heading in the first goal off a cross from midfielder Lawrence Lozzano. Klopas gave the Americans a two-goal lead in the 52nd minute on a near-perfect free kick play. Midfielder Mike Sorber crossed in a direct free kick to defender John Doyle at the far post. Doyle headed the ball across the goal mouth, over Jamaican keeper Warren Barrett onto Klopas, who drove the ball with his head into the back of the net. Ten minutes later, Klopas made it 3-0, converting a penalty kick.
Jump into Top 20: With a 1999 record of 7-3-1, victories over Germany (twice), Argentina and Chile, and a third-place finish in the Confederations Cup, the United States jumped into No. 20 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings.
Under-23s on display: With qualifying for the 2000 Olympic Games around the corner, several of the top U-23 national team players have been added. Bruce Arena selected five Olympic hopefuls — forwards Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire) and Chris Albright (D.C. United), midfielder Ben Olsen (D.C. United), and defenders Chad McCarty (Tampa Bay Mutiny) and Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/Germany).
By the numbers: 16 — Number of goals the U.S. has scored this year, in 11 international matches. 7 — U.S. goals against in ’99. 1 — Players earning their first international goal this year include Tony Sanneh, Eddie Lewis, Ben Olsen and Paul Bravo. Players earning their first cap this year include Imad Baba, Leo Cullen, Tom Presthus and Matt McKeon. 96 — The number of international matches Jeff Agoos has played. 0 — The number of international matches for the eight uncapped players: Albright, Cherundolo, Wolff, Henry Gutierrez, Kevin Hartman, Jay Heaps, Chad McCarty, Billy Walsh and Josh Wolff. 58 — The number of players Bruce Arena has seen, first hand, in camp since taking over the national team. 36 — The number of players who have played in an international match for Arena since his arrival. 900 — The number of minutes Jovan Kirovski has played this year, tops on the National Team. 20 — The age of the two youngest players in the current squad, Cherundolo and Albright. 31 — The age of the oldest player in the current squad Henry Gutierrez.
Unique doubleheader: The U.S. has played international doubleheaders with its men’s teams before, the most recent being when the U-23 and senior U.S. teams played Germany in Jacksonville, Fla., in February. The doubleheader in Kingston featuring the U-17 and senior U.S. teams against their Jamaican counterparts marks the first time the U.S. has played an international doubleheader on foreign soil.
Jamaica Outlook
Simoes in the hospital: The Reggae Boyz will be without Coach Rene Simoes, who collapsed in his hospital room before their match with Canada in Toronto on Sept. 2. The Brazilian remains hospitalized suffering from high blood pressure. Assistant coach Peter Cargill, who played for Jamaica in the ’98 World Cup, is in charge of the squad in Simoes’ absence.
Streak on line: Jamaica has a 40-game unbeaten streak at home.
Overseas players back: Eight foreign-based players are in the Boyz squad. David Johnson (Ipswich), Ricardo Gardener (Bolton) and Michael Johnson (Birmingham City) flew in from England for the match, along with midfielders Andy Williams of the Columbus Crew and Chris Dawes, who is playing in Turkey. Five other English-based players, Marcus Gayle, Frank Sinclair, Darren Moore, Darryl Powell and Fitzroy Simpson, played against Canada and returned to Jamaica for the U.S. match. The match coincides with the break in the European season because of Sunday-Wednesday qualifying for Euro 2000. Recalled were local-based stars Theodore Whitmore and Ian Goodison. The rest of the squad is dominated by U-23 players. Jamaica faces St. Kitts & Nevis in Olympic qualifying Sept. 19 and 26.
