No rest for the Montreal Impact starting goalkeeper. Donovan Ricketts was confirmed a few hours ago by the Jamaican Football Federation on the list of players for the June 1 friendly against Panama and the two World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and Antigua & Barbuba.
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The Reggae Boyz have convened for training on Monday in Trelawny, Jamaica in preparation for a first friendly against Panama, on May 27 in Kingston, Jamaica. The other out-of-country players called will leave their club on Sunday to join the group.
Apart from Ricketts, Toronto FC striker Ryan Johnson and midfielders Je-Vaughn Wtson (Houston), Demar Phillips (Aalesunds, D1-NOR) and Rodolph Austin (SK Brann, D1-NOR) will join the national side in time for the June 1 friendly.
Three other strikers, NYRB’s Dane Richards, Motherwell’s Chris Humphrey and Birmingham City’s Marlon King will fly to Jamaica later this week.
The Reggae Boyz are set to kick-off their World Cup qualifying campaign at home against Guatemala, on Friday, June 8 and will travel to Antigua & Barbuda for the June 12 clash. The United States complete this qualifying group.
In 2012, Jamaica has a 4-0-1 record against Cuba, Guyana, New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Donovan Ricketts, 34 has not played for the Reggae Boyz since the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup tourmanent. Since 1999, he played 16 international matches including 15 starts. He will fight for the starting spot with 27-year-old Jacomeno Barrette from local club Montego Bay and 24-year-old Dwayne Miller of Swedish first division side Syrianska.
Since the beginning of the MLS season, Ricketts sports a 3-6-3 record with 1,50 GAA and a pair of shutouts in 12 starts.