Theodore Whitmore - file

VIRGINIA, United States:

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz are ready to shelve the joyous mood that accompanied Jamaica's recent Olympic success and 50th Independence celebrations and buckle down to preparing for upcoming World Cup qualifiers (WCQ) when they face El Salvador tonight in a friendly international in the United States.

While the team is getting a major confidence boost from the accomplishments of Olympic champions such as Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaica's footballers are bearing down on their own task, which includes two crucial WCQ against the US next month.

"It's a great achievement (at the Olympics) and it motivates me as a coach," said head coach Theodore Whitmore.

"I think it should do the same for our players. I don't think it could have come at a better time for us to be motivated going into the USA game. But it's down to business."

fine-tuning

The game between the two teams engaged in the semi-final round of CONCACAF WCQ, kicks off 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Jamaica time) at RFK Stadium in the United States capital Washington DC.

The Boyz are using tonight's match as the first of two warm-ups, the second on August 25 against Kenya also in the US, leading up to the clash with the Americans, first at home on September 7 and away in Columbus, Ohio, on September 11. That fine-tuning, according to Whitmore, must be perfected, despite the absence of several starters who played Jamaica's first two WCQ in June, a win against Guatemala at home and a draw with Antigua and Barbuda away.

"We have the El Salvador and the Kenya game where we can try all that we want to do, because we have to get it right come the 7th of September," the coach said.

Whitmore said he would be considering several adjustments to Jamaica's playing formation and personnel tonight and against Kenya. Several players who were not available for different reasons in June are expected to see extended action. They include strikers Omar Cummings, who missed out with injury, and outstanding 21-year-old Major League Soccer (MLS) rookie Darren Mattocks.

Defender Dicoy Williams is also back after suffering a serious knee injury at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. But central midfielder Jason Morrison, who was originally listed in the squad for tonight's game, did not make the trip. Whitmore said he suffered a knee injury on Saturday.

Former captain Shavar Thomas, who had been dropped, also returns. So too Damian Williams, a bright spot for Jamaica in midfield at the Gold Cup and O'Brian Woodbine, who featured in the failed 2010 WCQ campaign.

They join six others who played in June, including goalkeeper Dwanye Miller, defender Lovel Palmer, midfieders Dane Richards and JeVaughn Watson, and forwards Luton Shelton and Ryan Johnson.

maximum six points

So far, Whitmore is pleased with Jamaica's WCQ efforts, which leaves the Boyz tied atop Group A with the US after two games.

"I thought we did well in both games," he said. "As much as possible we wanted to get maximum six points, but we have four points. So I think we met our objectives, by winning (at home) and at least getting a point away."

The objective for Jamaica tonight is also to win. However, the coaching staff is also looking to bolster the pool of players for upcoming WCQ. Bolt, however, is not on his wish list, despite the track star's insistence that he could excel at top level football.

"Definitely Usain Bolt is a legend in Jamaica," said Whitmore laughing yesterday in response to the question. "Well I think he's just joking around. I don't think Usain wants to play any football. Usain does well at what he's doing right now."

Although still laughing, the coach did not rule out the option of having six time gold medal winner in his future plan either.

"We can sit and discuss it (playing for Jamaica) with him," said Whitmore.

With precious team places at stake, members of the current squad are raring to go with some expressing willingness to do whatever it takes to be part of Jamaica's campaign for a spot in World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

"I'll play anywhere," said Cummings, who plays for Colorado Rapids in US Major League Soccer. "You might not feel it's your best role, but you have to go out there and do your best."

Omar Cummings (left) will make a return to the national team after injury.ap