CRUNCH TIME!

Automatic semi-finalists Mount Pleasant FA and play-off qualifiers Montego Bay United, first and second, respectively, in the Jamaica Premier League, are looking forward to the elimination stage of the competition, both with an eye on lifting the championship trophy.

The Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore-coached Mount Pleasant, on 81 points, secured their semi-final spot on Monday when they beat Chapelton Maroons 2-0 in the first game of a double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

The Paul “Tegat” Davis-coached Montego Bay United, who climbed to 67 points after their 3-0 win over Racing United in the second game at the venue, will finish in the top six, along with Arnett Gardens (67) and Portmore United (63).

Defending champions Cavalier FC, Waterhouse, Tivoli Gardens and Racing United are in the hunt for the other two places.

After booking their top-six spots, Whitmore and his former Seba United and Jamaica Reggae Boyz teammate Davis have the luxury to turn their attention to preparation for the last phase. Both agree that squad rotation will be key to any success they hope to get.

On Monday, Mount Pleasant included a number of teenagers in the starting team.

“[Squad] rotation gives us an opportunity for other players to contribute, manage fatigue and injury prevention, rest to key players, tactical flexibility, and allow us to experiment with different line-ups and strategies,” he told the Jamaica Observer from Mount Pleasant’s St Ann base.

Whitmore said the coaching staff will “analyse opponents and adjust the team accordingly” for the remaining matches.

Mount Pleasant, who won the title in 2023 and were finalists last year, are odds on favourite to make a third appearance in the championship match. They are on a record-breaking run, winning 25 of their 34 games, while scoring 82 goals. They have four players who have scored at least 10 goals so far and have been prevented from scoring in only three matches. At the other end, their goalkeepers have combined for 20 games without allowing a goal.

Whitmore said he does not expect Mount Pleasant to lose their edge when they sit out the play-off stage which will determine the remaining semi-finalists.

“Before the start of the competition we would have known the format so hence the break should not be an issue,” he said, adding that all the necessary processes will be in place to support the players. “Hydration, recovery, all of those are important factors, managing and maintaining players load is going to be key.”

Davis admitted it will be “helpful” to get into the top two and cement early qualification for the semi-finals.

He said he, Technical Director Andrew Peart and Assistant Coach Dillon Thelwell have been keen to rotate players.

“Players who had not been playing regularly are now getting a lot of playing time. Goalkeeper [Davonnie Burton] was not getting a lot of game [time] and now he could be seen as the number one goalkeeper. It makes a difference because you want to keep the team happy and once they are happy, they will produce.”

He noted, however, that there is no slowing down.

“It’s important for us to continue the work, taking it game by game, we can’t take any thing for granted as there are no easy games in the Premier League, whether top or bottom, so we have to focus and do what we have to do and we need to pace ourselves so we can go on and win this championship,” Davis said.

Since the second half of last year, Montego Bay United have been on a roll. They were unbeaten over the final 10 games of last season, and marginally missed a play-off spot.

This season they have picked up where they left off, only falling out of the top four for brief periods. They have lost only four of 36 games.

Davis, who took over from Argentine Rodolfo Zapata, is unbeaten in 12 games, winning six of those.

He said he was pleased with what he saw from sidelined Reggae Boy Peter-Lee Vassell, who came off the bench to score on his debut on Monday.

“It was good to see Peter-Lee back in action after two years out. He played 25 minutes [on Monday] and got a goal and maybe that can boost his confidence. But he has to get fit, match fit, and he may be one of the players who can help us down the road.”

Davis is also awaiting the return of top scorer Shaniel Thomas who has missed the last six games due to a shoulder injury.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

5:00 pm — Racing vs Cavalier @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

7:30 pm — Arnett Gardens vs Mount Pleasant @ Anthony Spaulding Complex