US Hosting Jamaica Tonight

Sporting Park will once again host the US men's national team tonight in a World Cup qualifier. It's the third time in the three years the stadium's been open that the Yanks will play here. The US has a perfect record of 2-0 at Sporting Park, winning 1-0 over Guadeloupe in the 2011 Gold Cup and beating Guatemala 3-1 last year to confirm advancement to the Hex.

Combine the results at Sporting Park with the USA's results on the other side of the state line, and the USA is 4-0 in the KC metro area. The USA's first game in KC was actually in 1968, a 6-2 World Cup qualifying win over Bermuda. That game was hosted at the old Kansas City Municipal Stadium. The other game was the 2001 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica that the US won 1-0 hosted at Arrowhead.

Tonight the USA host Jamaica in their final home qualifier ahead of the 2014 World Cup. The US already assured qualification in the last set of qualifiers. With very little chance of the US getting a seed at the World Cup, in theory there is not a lot to play for, for the US. But I don't expect the US to take this game easy, it's not been the mindset of Jurgen Klinsmann to sit back. I'd expect the US to come out and take the game to Jamaica and close out qualifying at home in style.

Sporting Park to Host USA-Jamaica World Cup Qualifier

US Soccer today announced the venues for the USA's final four home World Cup qualifiers.  As had been rumored for a few weeks now, Kansas City will be hosting the USA's final home qualifier and 9th of 10 qualifiers on October 11th against Jamaica at Sporting Park.  This will be the 4th World Cup qualifier held in the KC area (vs Bermuda 1968, vs Costa Rica 2001, vs Guatemala 2011).  KC has also proven to be a friendly home for the US, they've won all 3 of the previous World Cup qualifiers here as well as the Gold Cup game against Guadeloupe in 2010 as well.

The qualifier could very well be a key qualifier for the US, similar to last year's qualifier against Guatemala.  The 9th game has been the game where the US has clinched World Cup qualification in 3 of the last 4 World Cups. 

Personally I struggle to see how this game isn't key for the US, this game will very likely need to be a win for the US for them to clinch a top 3 spot and an automatic World Cup birth.

International Duty for KC Players

Another day of international duty for Sporting KC players today. Four players had national team duty today, three of them started. The one to not start, didn't even appear for his country, as Teal Bunbury didn't make the bench again for the United States in their 1-0 loss to Ecuador tonight in New York. The United States had some bright moments, Brek Shea and Tim Chandler impressed again, and Oguchi Onyewu appears to be returning to form. Onyewu returning to form is a good thing for the United States as neither Michael Orozco Fiscal or Tim Ream have endeared themselves to the position. Tonight it was Ream's turn as he lost Jaime Ayovi way too easily and the Ecuadorian headed the ball past Tim Howard.

In other friendlies, Roger Espinoza and Honduras faced off against Shavar Thomas and Jamaica today as well in Honduras. Both SKC players started for their respective teams in Honduras' 2-1 win over the Reggae Boyz.

Finally in World Cup qualifiers, Peterson Joseph and Haiti took on Curacao. Haiti fell behind 2-0 at home before coming back to tie 2-2. The draw, combined with Antigua and Barbuda's win over the US Virgin Islands puts Haiti into second place in the group. While the draw hurts their chances it doesn't destroy them, because Haiti's next two games are against Antigua, so Haiti can still get by if they can take care of business vs Antigua.

More International Call Ups for KC

To go along with Roger Espinoza's call up for Honduras, four more Wizards players have been called up to represent their respective national teams. Teal Bunbury, Peterson Joseph, Craig Rocastle, and Shavar Thomas have all been called up to the US, Haiti, Grenada, and Jamaica respectively.

The biggest games of the international break are for Joseph and Rocastle whose national teams have two World Cup qualifiers. Joseph and Haiti go on the road to play the US Virgin Islands on the 7th then return to Port-au-Prince to take on Curaçao. Haiti is currently second in group F behind Antigua, but both teams are 2-0 in group play having both beat up on the two other teams in their group in the first two games.

For Rocastle, he'll likely get his first action since the Gold Cup when Grenada go to Belize on the 7th and then go home to take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Grenada really need to get results from those as they currently are at the bottom of group E with 0 points as Guatemala leads the group currently.

Bunbury and the United States have two friendlies during the window. They start with a game against Honduras in Miami before playing Ecuador at Red Bull Arena. Meanwhile, Thomas and Jamaica appear to only have one game during this window, the game against Honduras.

The five players will miss no competitive games for Kansas City during the time. The 5 though are likely to miss the friendly on October 12th against Chivas Guadalajara due to their national team commitments though.

The one name missing from the list this time is Kei Kamara, whose national team, Sierra Leone have a must win qualifier for the African Cup of Nations against South Africa. According to Kamara's Twitter he did receive an invitation to join the national team but then said "oh oh wait but that also mean "AM SUSPENDED SMH"". Not sure what exactly the meaning of the second half of his Tweet but it doesn't look like Kamara will be traveling for the game.

Thomas and Jamaica Fall to Colombia

Shavar Thomas and Jamaica closed out another international break with a loss in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Jamaica fell to Colombia 2-0 thanks to two second half goals. Thomas started and went 90 minutes as captain for the Jamaican side in the loss at Lockhart Stadium. The Jamaica's are waiting for the current round of CONCACAF qualifying to finish up before they enter in the next group phase along with the USA and Mexico, where they are grouped with the US.

Sporting KC and National Teams

It's an international friendly weekend and of the three Sporting KC players with their respective national teams, two had their games tonight.  Defender Shavar Thomas and Jamaica took on Ecuador in Quito today.  Thomas went the full 90 minutes in Jamaica's 5-2 loss on the road where to MLS players, Omar Cummings and Ryan Johnson got the two goals for the Jamaican team. 

Closer to home, tonight the US took on Costa Rica at the Home Depot Center.  While the game is still going on at this point, Teal Bunbury is not playing a part in this game.  Bunbury was not named to the 18 man roster for the game tonight.  Hopefully Bunbury is in the plans for the game in Belgium, or he'd be better served staying in KC and sitting out his suspension on Monday against the Galaxy instead of having the site out the Houston game.

Bunbury, Thomas, Kamara, and Espinoza National Team News

Lots of international team news was announced today, and 4 Sporting KC players were affected. First, Kei Kamara's call up for the Sierra Leone national team was confirmed by the team today, although I think Kamara tweeting last night that he'd been called up was proof enough that he'd been called up for their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt at home.

In other news, and probably the most surprising of KC's call ups, was the news that Teal Bunbury has been called up for the US national team. Bunbury returns to the national team for the first time since Camp Cupcake this past January. A little surprising in the call up as Bunbury's form hasn't been extremely good. But it has improved since earlier this year. The US play Costa Rica in LA on Friday the 2nd before heading to Belgium to take on the Belgians on the 6th. Combine his absence with Kamara's and KC's front line is going to take a hit for the LA game next weekend.

Shavar Thomas has also received another call up for Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz have a friendly in Quito, Ecuador on September 2nd. It'll be another opportunity for Thomas to captain his country. Thomas could possibly be back in town for the game against LA, but may not be needed depending on the health of Aurelien Collin and his ability to play.

Finally, word from the team today is that while the forward line will suffer against LA, the midfield is just a little better. Roger Espinoza will not be leaving to join the Honduran team for their friendlies against Colombia and Paraguay and will instead be available for selection against the Galaxy. That's a big boost to the midfield, especially since Collin is unlikely to be 90 minutes fit yet, and that leaves KC a little short in the d-mid position.

Caps for Thomas and Espinoza

Shavar Thomas and Roger Espinoza both started for their respective national teams today in friendlies. Thomas and Jamaica were in China to take on the Chinese. Thomas started and played the full 90 minutes after apparently missing his original flight from Kansas City and only arriving in the country over night. The Chinese scored on a corner in the first half and held on for the win, 1-0.

Espinoza also started for Honduras tonight in Miami against Venezuela. The midfielder went 82 minutes for Honduras as they defeated Venezuela 2-0 thanks to two goals by Carlo Costly.

Call Ups for Espinoza and Thomas

Another international break is coming up this next week, and two Wizards players have been called up to their respective national teams for the games this week. Roger Espinoza and Shavar Thomas will be joining their respective national teams for friendlies this next week. Espinoza will be joining the Honduran national team in Miami for a friendly in Miami against Venezuela. Espinoza is not going to miss any games for Sporting due to the call up. With his red card suspension for this weekend, and with next weekend off for KC it doesn't hurt them in the long run either. Thomas and Jamaica are heading to China to take on the Chinese national team on the 10th as well. Thomas has apparently already left to join Jamaica as they prepare to head to the Far East for their friendly. It certainly says plenty about Thomas' place in the current team that he's been allowed to join his national team early with only 3 other central defenders currently healthy.

Thomas and Jamaica Bow Out of Gold Cup

Shavar Thomas and the Jamaican national team had not allowed a goal in the group stage of the Gold Cup, but Sunday at RFK against the United States, the Jamaicans once again could not beat the United States, falling 2-0 to the US. Thomas captained the Jamaican side as they took on the US. Overall Thomas actually had a solid game for Jamaica as their midfield was overrun at times in the first half, Thomas and LA Galaxy goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts helped to reorganize the back line to keep the US pressure off. It took a deflected goal by Jermaine Jones off of Jermaine Taylor, a red card to Taylor on a dive by Jones, and a nice finish by Clint Dempsey to see the United States through. The US now move on to play Panama in the semifinals in Houston.

Thomas meanwhile returns to KC, probably at a fairly good time. With Aurelien Collin suspended for the game Wednesday in Philadelphia, Thomas could possibly find himself immediately back on the bench backing up Matt Besler and likely Julio Cesar in the center of defense on Wednesday as the Wizards only have the 3 center backs available.

Thomas and Espinoza Sit for Gold Cup Game

Shavar Thomas and Roger Espinoza were both on the bench for their respective national teams last night in their Group B encounter. Neither player made it into the match that Jamaica won 1-0 on a Noel Valladares own in the 35th minute. Jamaica advanced out of Group B as the group winners and will play the second place team out of Group C, which could be the United States. Honduras gets to play Group A runner up, Costa Rica in their quarterfinal matchup.

SKC at the Gold Cup (Rocastle Hurt!)

Only one of Sporting Kansas City's Gold Cup call ups made the field tonight. Shavar Thomas started and played the full game for Jamaica as they took out Guatemala 2-0 thanks to two goals by Demar Phillips. The Jamaicans now sit on top of their group as the only team to win both of their games with a plus 6 goal difference. Jamaica closes out their group on Monday when they'll take on Honduras.

Speaking of Honduras, Roger Espinoza was on the bench for tonight's game against Grenada, but didn't see the field as Honduras cruised 7-1 over Grenada. A hattrick by one time Wizards target, Carlo Costly, a brace by Jerry Bengtson, and goals by Walter Martinez and Alfredo Mejia finished off Grenada who actually took the lead through Clive Murray before surrendering 7 unanswered.

The worst news those of the night was that Wizards defensive midfielder, Craig Rocastle didn't even dress for the game. After doing some looking, I found that Rocastle apparently has some ligament damage, that he is having a scan done on to find out the extent of the injury. On the low side it could just end his Gold Cup, on the other side this could be a disaster for the Wizards as Rocastle's presence in the center of midfield had calmed the team after their rough start. Luke Sassano filled in well last night but I'm not sure he's the long term solution there. So hopefully this ligament damage is minor and Rocastle will be back quickly.

Thomas, Jamaica Roll Rocastle, Grenada, Espinoza Doesn't Dress

Shavar Thomas and Jamaica got their Gold Cup campaign off to a good start last night with a 4-0 win of Craig Rocastle and Grenada. Both players started their game for their respective teams. Thomas helped anchor the Jamaican defense which completely shut down Grenada. Rocastle on the other hand was subbed at half time after getting injured in a collision in the first half of the game. Rocastle and Grenada missed the presence in the midfield of Sharlie Joseph who ended up turning down the call up. Although I Joseph wouldn't have provided enough to overturn the 4 goal difference.

In the other group B game, Honduras saw their opponents, Guatemala, earn 2 red cards, but were unable to find the net as they drew 0-0. Sporting KC defender Roger Espinoza did not dress for the game for the Hondurans. The next games for the teams are on Friday when Jamaica plays Guatemala and Honduras takes on Grenada.

Espinoza Capped in Draw with El Salvador (Thomas Plays in Friendly)

Roger Espinoza earned his 16th cap of his international career over the weekend playing for Honduras in Houston against El Salvador. Espinoza came on as a substitute in the 54th minute. At that point Honduras had a 2-0 lead over El Salvador, but two goals in the span of 3 minutes saw El Salvador tie the game at 2-2. Honduras begin the Gold Cup on June 6th in LA against Guatemala. The cap ties Espinoza with Gary Glasgow for the most capped non-US player while a member of the Wizards.

In other international news for KC, Shavar Thomas and Jamaica had a friendly against the reserve side of Brazilian club Palmeiras FC. The Reggae Boyz fell 2-0 to the Brazilians, with Thomas being called for a penalty that led to the second goal after Jamaica's keeper mis-hit a clearance after a back pass from Thomas. Jamaica is in the same group as Honduras and opens against Craig Rocastle and Grenada out at the Home Depot Center on the 6th.

Thomas and Jamaica Top El Salvador

The travel troubles for Jamaica did not affect the Jamaicans as Shavar Thomas and Jamaica topped El Salvador 3-2, even though they went down a man. Thomas went the full 90 minutes for Jamaica as they picked up their first ever friendly win in Central America. Thomas now gets to turn around and come back to KC to potentially start on the weekend against Vancouver if Julio Cesar is still unable to play.

Thomas and Jamaica Fall to Venezuela

While Sporting KC was struggling to find a center back, Jamaican center back, Shavar Thomas was working to get to El Salvador for Jamaica's second friendly. Flight trouble pushed back the game in San Salvador to Tuesday. The delay could certainly affect next weekend's game against Vancouver for Thomas. On Friday though, Thomas and Jamaica were taking on South American side, Venezuela at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Jamaica. Thomas went the full 90 for the Reggae Boyz in their 2-0 loss as fellow MLSer, Alejandro Moreno scored.

Thomas Called Up for Jamaica Friendlies

Kansas City is getting ready to start the season next weekend when they play Chivas USA, but the following weekend it looks like KC will be without at least one player when they take on the Chicago Fire. Jamaica has named their roster for friendlies on March 25th against Venezuela in Catherine Hill, Jamaica and on the 27th in San Salvador against El Salvador. Sporting KC central defender, Shavar Thomas has been called up by Jamaica for the two friendlies. With this call up Thomas is set to miss the second league game against the Chicago Fire. Late in 2010 Thomas captained the Jamaican side to the Digicel Caribbean Cup championship and is looking to make this summer's Gold Cup roster.

Thomas and Jamaica Lift Digicel Cup

It took penalty kicks, but Shavar Thomas and the Jamaican team defeated Stephane Auvray and his Guadeloupe team 1-1 (5-4) in the Digicel Cup final. Colorado Rapids forward, Omar Cummings gave Jamaica the lead in the first half, but shortly after Guadeloupe equalized through Ludovic Gotin. Jamaica had the better of play through most of the rest of the game, but some good defending and goalkeeping, along with the some poor decisions by Jamaica kept the score level. Guadeloupe also had some good chances going forward, but couldn't find the net either. In extra time, Jamaica continued to be the more impressive team but didn't create many chances, the best came in the first overtime period where a Rodolph Austin volley had to be parried wide by Guadeloupe's goalkeeper. In the PK shoot out you saw a virtual clinch on how to take PKs on the first 9 kicks, as all were well taken with the keepers never getting a hand on any of them. On the final PK of the first set of 5 though, Jean Luc Lamboude placed his kick wide of the post giving the title to the Reggae Boyz. Thomas lifted the trophy after being subbed out late in the second period of extra time in a tactical move for penalty kicks while Auvray went the entire 120 minutes for Guadeloupe.

Earlier in the day, Craig Rocastle and Grenada played Cuba in the 3rd place game. The game turned out to be quite a bit better than the team's previous encounter when the two played to a drab 0-0 draw that saw both team's qualify for the semifinals. A 12th minute goal from Roberto Balmaseda was all Cuba needed in the game. Rocastle started again for Grenada and went the full 90 for the Spice Boys.

Jamaica and Guadeloupe to Meet in Digicel Cup Finals

Stephane Auvray and Guadeloupe will get a chance to get back at Jamaica for their loss in group play on Sunday in the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals after both teams won their semifinals tonight. In the early game of the day, Auvray actually was not in the lineup for Guadeloupe as they took on Cuba. Cuba grabbed the lead in the first half through Reysandri Cervantez. In the second half, Guadeloupe started to push the game more, equalizing in the 55th minute through Gregory Gendrey. In the 78th minute, Guadeloupe grabbed the winner through Jean Luc Lamboude on a free kick from about 35 yards out. Guadeloupe held on for the 2-1 win.

It took a little extra work for Shavar Thomas and Jamaica to get past Craig Rocastle and Grenada though as the team's were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes. A goal in the first period of extra time led to Jamaica pulling out the 2-1 win. Thomas captained the Jamaican squad who grabbed the lead in the 7th through Dane Richards off an assist from Ryan Johnson as Jamaica's MLS contingent continues to play well in the cup. In the 13th though, Grenada found the equalizer through Kitson Bain. Both sides pushed throughout the rest of the game with Jamaica being the more dominate side. After 90 minutes with the sides still level and went to extra time. Early in extra time Rodolph Austin found Troy Simmons with a cross, Simmons collected and then finished. Grenada pushed for the equalizer and were boosted by a Jamaican red card, but Jamaica advanced to the finals. Both Thomas and Rocastle went the full 120 minutes for their sides. Jamaica and Guadeloupe now meet in the final while Grenada will meet Cuba in the third place game earlier in the day.

Auvray and Guadeloupe Advance to Gold Cup

Next summer just got even more interesting for Sporting KC, as now it would appear that at least 3 players will be representing their national team this summer at the Gold Cup. Shavar Thomas (Jamaica) and Craig Rocastle (Grenada) have already qualified for the 2011 Gold Cup and tonight with their win over Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica's win over Guyana, Stephane Auvray and Guadeloupe have also qualified for the Gold Cup. If that's not enough, Roger Espinoza and Honduras could possibly be in the tournament as well provided they finish in the top 5 in this January's UNCAF Nation's Cup. Add in the potential of Teal Bunbury playing for the US or a bit of a surprise call up for Omar Bravo, and KC could possibly be without half their starters for league play while the Gold Cup is going on. It certainly doesn't sound like a good way to open the new stadium with so many starters potentially missing time.

Guadeloupe needed the win tonight and pulled out a narrow 1-0 win over Antigua and Barbuda on a first half goal from Jean Luc Lamboude. They were able to hang on for the win as Auvray went the full 90 as captain for . They were then forced to sit and wait on the second result. Jamaica though took care of business early, scoring in the second minute and not turning back as they won 4-0. Shavar Thomas didn't play for the Reggae Boyz tonight as they rested a few players in the game.

The semifinals on Friday will see Auvray and Guadeloupe first take on Cuba and in the second game, Thomas and Jamaica will take on Rocastle and Grenada.