Reggae Boyz head coach Steven McClaren hopes Jamaicans support the national team as they did to witness Cavalier face the Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami when the World Cup campaign resumes.

Englishman Steve McClaren announced his 23-man squad, which surprisingly included nine local-based players to face St Vincent in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifiers set for March 21 in St Vincent and March 25 in Kingston.

“I’ve got to say this morning [last Friday] I woke up quite buoyed after last night. Great night at the National Stadium…Cavaliers against Inter Miami and what it was to see the stadium, full house” said McClaren, during his virtual press conference on Friday, March 14, 2025.

“I know we nearly got it near against the USA, but to see a full house, that’s the goal. I said to everybody, all the staff, everybody I spoke to, that’s the goal to fill the stadium. So, it was great to see,” he added.

Jamaica’s Caribbean champion Cavalier lost 0-2 to Inter Miami on Thursday, March 13, losing 0-4 on aggregate and were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in which Messi scored in the 90^th minute to send the crowd into a frenzy.

The National Stadium has a capacity of 35,000 but it was bursting at the seams and hundreds of fans were left outside. This kind of crowd was last seen during Jamaica’s historic qualification to the 1998 World Cup in France under the guidance of the Brazilian Rene Simoes.

“What a great game. Spirited performance from Cavaliers I thought,” McClaren pointed out. “The most important thing for, I suppose, all the supporters was to see Messi play. Not many people get and are fortunate to see Messi alive, but Jamaica saw that…

“So, we appreciate that from him because he didn’t have to come. I spoke to Mascherano [head coach of Inter Miami], before the game and he said he wanted Messi to come and play for the Jamaican people.

“So, that’s what he did. So, we thank them for that. It was a great night and a great performance by Cavaliers,” he added.

“I saw a full house, 35,000 in the National Stadium last night. We had 29,000 against The USA. We want to full out again, and we’ll only achieve that if we’re successful and heading towards the World Cup. So, the supporters get behind the teams through thick and thin. There will be ups and downs,” he reiterated.