The Reggae Boyz had an impressive campaign at the Gold Cup, following shortly after being invited guests of the Copa America Tournament. They managed to top their group with a draw and 2 wins, and went on to knock out Haiti and the USA in regulation time to advance to the finals, the first Caribbean team in history to reach that far in the tournament. Unfortunate mistakes allowed Mexico to lift the trophy for the 7th time, but the Boyz’ display didn’t go without pride and praise. Four of the Reggae Boyz [including HVFC international Kemar Lawrence] have been named to Fox Soccer’s best XI of the tournament, written by Kyle McCarthy.
Goalkeeper: Jaime Penedo (Panama)
There were several blips along the way in this tournament for goalkeepers. Penedo ultimately proved the most consistent of the lot for a Panamanian side in need of his aid along the way. His performance in the penalty kick victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the quarterfinals applied a punctuation mark to his work for the duration of the tournament. USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan nearly edged out Penedo for his displays in this accounting and won the Golden Gloves award for top goalkeeper in the competition.
Defender: Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica)
Lawrence — with all factors considered — stood out as the best defender in this tournament. The New York Red Bulls left back locked down opposing wingers with regularity and then pushed forward intelligently to help his team on the break. He played a critical role for a team that functioned wonderfully for much of this tournament.
Defender: Wes Morgan (Jamaica)
The rock in middle of the Jamaican defense established the impenetrable baseline. He operated as an immovable force, the sort of defender capable of manhandling opposing forwards and somehow sliding into position if they eluded him. There were no frills to his work. The Leicester City captain just carried out his duties relentlessly for the duration of the tournament.
Defender: Roman Torres (Panama)
It is tough to imagine a crueler fate than the indignity foisted upon Torres as full time approached in the semifinal against Mexico. The Panama captain functioned as the bedrock for his team for the entire tournament (including in the third-place game), but he suffered through the suspect penalty decision responsible for yanking away a deserved place in the final. His role in the second penalty was clearer, but it did not erase his work throughout the tournament.
Midfielder: Michael Bradley (United States)
Midfielder: Rodolph Austin (Jamaica)
Austin served as the heart and soul in the middle of the compact Jamaican shape. He organized the team impeccably and urged his players to reduce the space between the lines. His combative, effective presence typified the way his team approached its duties and marched through this tournament.
Midfielder: Joevin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago)
Several wingers impressed during this tournament — Garath McCleary offered plenty on the right for Jamaica, for example — and Jones takes the one berth allotted to them. His mixture of delivery and output made him the primary supply line to the T&T front two.
Midfielder: Andres Guardado (Mexico)
Forward: Clint Dempsey (United States)
Dempsey combined with Bradley to pose the only constant threat for the Americans in this tournament. He padded his total with a hat trick against Cuba in the quarterfinal and a tally against Panama in the third-place match, but his overall production — seven goals, tops in the tournament — ensures his place here.
Forward: Giles Barnes (Jamaica)
Forward: Kenwyne Jones (Trinidad and Tobago)
The veteran captain led T&T by example through the four matches. His robust, willing work up front provided a touchstone in desperate need of a reliable presence up front. It came as no surprise to see him score in the quarterfinal against Panama and then sweep home the fifth penalty in that protracted shootout.
Source: Fox Soccer