A plan for Pepi
Andrew Price recognises young American striker’s threat to Reggae Boyz’s defence
WHEN JAMAICA face the United States of America (USA) in Concacaf World Cup qualifying in Kingston tomorrow, the American party will include 18 year-old marksman Ricardo Pepi, who scored both goals in a 2-0 victory for the USA over Jamaica in Austin, Texas, on October 10. Football analyst Andrew Price says the Reggae Boyz will have to mark him very closely tomorrow to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The FC Dallas striker didn’t score on Friday when the USA took the l ead over t he Octagonal round with a 2-0 win over Mexico. Instead the Americans triumphed with late goals from Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. USA and Mexico both have 14 points and are separated on goal difference.
On the same November 12 fixture date, Jamaica drew 1-1 with El Salvador and have six points from seven games and hold sixth position in the eight-team group.
Price recommends a continuation of t he defensive steel that has seen Jamaica concede just once in three games.
“If we can be resolute in defence and deny the United States from scoring, then half the battle is won,” Price said.
“If we continue to have that good shape and good fixity of purpose, where we don’t allow our opponents too many shots, then we should be in good stead and I believe this US team, despite the first showing in Texas, it’s a team that Jamaica can beat.”
Pepi has been scoring freely from his days on the USA U17 team and was the spearhead of a speedy USA attack in Austin. Price says Jamaica will have to regard him as dangerous. Asked to evaluate the merits of a zonal marking system against Pepi and his teammates, Price said: “Once it comes into the final third, your defensive final third, one has to be man-to-man. Even if you’re marking him primarily throughout the game, if he comes into a dangerous zone, the closest man has to get to him and once they’re aware that somebody is dangerous, sometimes you may need to double-team that individual. It all depends on the situation and where Pepi, is but entering the final third, he needs to be marked very closely.”
Mindful that the Reggae Boyz will have the likes of Leon Bailey, Shamar Nicholson, Michail Antonio, and Kemar Roofe on duty, Price is optimistic that the home team will score.
“Once we put our heads together, do the basic things of getting behind the ball and transitioning quickly into attack, with people like Bailey available, Nicholson available, Antonio available, Roofe available, it could definitely be big points at the National Stadium, which is what we need to do.”
The game kicks off at the National Stadium tomorrow at 5 p.m.