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JAM | Sep 18, 2024

Reggae Boyz Antonio and Palmer named in the CONCACAF League A Best XI for September

Howard Walker

Howard Walker / Our Today

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Michail Antonio about to score against Honduras from the penalty spot in Jamaica’s 2-1 win. (Photo: CONCACAF)

Two Jamaicans Michail Antonio and Kasey Palmer were named in the CONCACAF League A Best XI for the month of September for outstanding displays in the two games against Cuba and Honduras.

The 34-year-old Antonio, who plays for West Ham in the English Premier League, scored a penalty in Jamaica’s 2-1 win in Honduras after leading from in front.

The press release from CONCACAF said, “Antonio continued to prove why he is recognized as one of Jamaica’s leading attackers, contributing a goal and taking five shots”.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Palmer, who plays midfield for Hull City, also impressed and was an ever presence in Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Cuba and their 2-1 win over Honduras.

Jamaica’s Kasey Palmer of Hull City (Photo: JFF)

“Palmer was all over the pitch for the Reggae Boyz. He was a rock defensively in midfield with eight steals, while also completing 92.42 per cent of his passes and being a constant threat in attack”.

It was also a proud moment for Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaica Football Federation.

“Well this is indeed another proud moment for our Senior men’s programme,” Ricketts told Our Today.

“These two players would have certainly impacted our national team for the last few months. It is indeed deserving and I think it’s a feather in the cap of our technical staff. Huge congratulations to Kasey Palmer and Michail Antonio,” said Ricketts.

Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaica Football Federation.

With the United States of America, Canada and Mexico missing from the first-round set of games, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala each had two selectees. There were one each from Guyana, Suriname and Guadeloupe.

The 3-4-3 formation consists of:

Goalkeeper

Nicholas Hagen, Guatemala

Hagen played a key role for Los Chapines to kick off the campaign unbeaten and momentarily sit in second place in Group A. Guatemala’s goalkeeper registered four saves and six clearances and kept a clean sheet against Costa Rica.

Defenders

José Pinto, Guatemala

Guatemala’s captain got the job done at both ends to help his nation to an undefeated start. Pinto converted from the spot in the win against Martinique and helped the back line keep a clean sheet against Costa Rica.

Juan Pablo Vargas, Costa Rica

The towering centre-back was a solid presence in defence, recording four ball recoveries and three clearances in two clean-sheet performances for Los Ticos. Vargas also dished out an assist in Costa Rica’s home win against Guadeloupe.

Francisco Calvo, Costa Rica

Calvo continued to lead the back line for Costa Rica while also contributing offensively. The captain of Los Ticos contributed two ball recoveries and nine clearances to a backline that conceded no goals. He added a goal to take his tally to six all-time in the CNL and extend his lead as the nation’s top scorer. He also completed 95.45 percent of attempted passes.

Midfielders

David Ruiz, Honduras  

The 20-year-old midfielder impressed for Honduras and announced himself as one of the players to watch this campaign. Ruiz bagged a goal in each match for Los Catrachos and completed 95.45 per cent of his passes.

Kervin Arriaga, Honduras

Arriaga was one of Honduras’s most influential players in the team’s opening matches. He scored a goal, contributed three ball recoveries from midfield, and completed 91.67 per cent of his passes.

Jordan Leborgne, Guadeloupe

Leborgne made history for his nation by scoring against Suriname, as his goal was the first-ever for Guadeloupe in League A and went on to be the match-winner for the first set of three points for Les Gwada Boys.

Kasey Palmer, Jamaica

Palmer was all over the pitch for the Reggae Boyz. He was a rock defensively in midfield with eight steals, while also completing 92.42 percent of his passes and being a constant threat in attack.

Forwards

Isaiah Jones, Guyana

With his brace in the team’s visit to Martinique, Jones secured the first points of the campaign and a significant draw for Guyana.

Virgil Misidjan, Suriname

Misidjan was excellent for Suriname, notably leading the attack with a goal and an assist to help Suriname kick off the 2024/25 CNL with a win against Guyana.

Michail Antonio, Jamaica

Antonio continued to prove why he is recognized as one of Jamaica’s leading attackers, contributing a goal and taking five shots.

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