Chris Humphrey (left) and Adrian Mariappa. - Ricardo Makyn

NEW JERSEY, United States

Ever since he embraced football at age three in his birthplace St Catherine, Chris Humphrey has had his mind set on wearing the country's jersey.

"I knew it was always my dream to play for Jamaica," the 26-year-old said ahead of Jamaica's game against Serbia last Monday.

Humphrey didn't anticipate controversy would turn it into a nightmare, leading to a disgraceful exit from the national programme.

While he remains silent on whether punishment for a curfew violation in May 2012 was fully deserved, Humphrey is grateful to return to the Boyz' fold. He's shelved the past and hopes to capitalise on a second chance to make an overdue first impression. Today, he gets another opportunity against Switzerland in Lucerne. His mood is decidedly relaxed.

"I enjoy it a lot more now," Humphrey said.

Devastation was closer to what the wide player felt when then coach Theodore Whitmore booted him and striker Marlon King from Jamaica's team after only his second international in Panama. Humphrey insisted, "We weren't told we couldn't go out," although they "weren't told we could" either. There was no curfew after a game against Panama in Kingston days earlier, he claimed, and other players were out that night.

"We weren't alone," Humphrey said, "but we got caught."

Yet Humphrey never blamed Whitmore and his staff, including Brazilian Alfredo Montesso, for the official two-match ban and long international drought that followed.

"They weren't the reason I went home," said Humphrey. "It was me."

Still, he understood only a coaching change would likely make a return possible.

coaching staff

"I did think that it was over as long as that coaching staff was in charge," Humphrey said.

Current coach Winfried Schäfer recalled Humphrey and he played against Costa Rica in a September World Cup qualifier and was in the squad against Panama. He started against Serbia.

"Schäfer obviously has confidence in me," said Humphrey.

He never got that feeling when he joined the Boyz in 2012, when he met King for the first time at the airport on his way to Jamaica for the ill-fated Panama games. Although he grew up in Jamaican culture while being raised by an aunt in England and played alongside the Boyz at British clubs, Humphrey didn't know anything about the national squad. He felt isolated.

"You were just thrown in," said Humphrey. "At times, it was hard. It's getting used to the Jamaican football way."

Now, he's more familiar with Jamaica's system and players. It's a new perspective.

"I look at things differently now," said Humphrey.

Schäfer has refueled his desire to compete for a national place, with important tournaments upcoming, including the 2018 World Cup campaign. Humphrey, who migrated to England at age five and played for Preston North End in League One last season, vowed not to repeat "the mistake".

"I've learned from it now," he said. "It won't happen again."