By Ainsley Walters, Staff Reporter
Jamaican-born Jeff Cunningham. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
COACH BRUCE Arena and a confident squad of United States players arrived in the island yesterday evening, looking to maintain their dominance against Jamaica's Reggae Boyz when the teams meet on a newly-laid National Stadium pitch tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.
Armed with almost an all-Major League Soccer squad, which lost 0-1 against what has been reported to be a young but skilful Argentinian side Sunday afternoon, Arena's only foreign-based addition has been defender Steve Chernuldo.
"He's just one of our young players who was part of our World Cup team and I decided it would be a good opportunity for him to come here and get the exposure," said the US coach, commenting on the Germany-based defender's call-up for the Jamaica game.
Sunday's loss at the Orange Bowl, Arena said, won't faze his team on the road.
"I'm not worried about that," he said, adding that his squad is part of a process of evaluating players and building a new team to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
The last time Jamaica played the USA in a friendly, the Reggae Boyz lost 5-0 in New Jersey. However, in their last meeting at 'The Office', the Boyz held Arena's team to a 0-0 draw in their unsuccessful 'Orient Express' World Cup qualifying campaign.
Although the Reggae Boyz got their first look, and feel, of the newly-laid stadium turf yesterday evening, Arena seemed quite up to date with happenings at Independence Park.
"That's what I understand," he said, commenting on the new pitch. "I'm looking forward to seeing it," he added, almost sarcastically, no doubt thinking of the bumpy turf which he often cited, along with the weather, as reasons why Jamaica are tough to beat at home.
Among the US squad was much-heralded young striker Landon Donovan and a Jamaican, Jeff Cunningham, who played the last 12 minutes against Argentina.
Cunningham, a former Herbert Morrison Comprehensive student, who had one Premier League season with Seba United before finishing high school in Florida, played two MLS seasons alongside Jamaica's Andy Williams at Columbus Crew.
"I don't know how people will react," said Cunningham, who was called to the US squad just before their 2002 World Cup campaign started.
"I would love a warm reception but I've got a job to do," added Cunningham, who has never played at the stadium before nor score for the US in the less than 10 games in which he has played.
Donovan, an exciting young player, who is no stranger to the US senior team nor Jamaica, having played three Under-17 internationals here before, will be facing the senior Boyz for the first time outside the USA. "It will be hard to play against Jamaica here," he said. "There's the crowd and I heard the field will be good.
"It will be a good match," he added
