GORDON WILLIAMS, STAR Writer
TORONTO, Canada:

The competition for places in Jamaica's squad for this year's Caribbean Cup heats up today when the Reggae Boyz tackle Canada in a friendly football international here.

According to head coach, Winfried Schäefer, the 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Jamaica time) clash with a CONCACAF rival at BMO Field will provide a vital showcase for players seeking selection for the mid-November regional championships.

"It's a test for them," Schäefer said yesterday.

The players are not only vying for starting roles, but also as insurance for established starters.

"I want to see these players," said Schäefer. " ... I need alternatives. I need a pool."

Among those under the microscope will be Upston Edwards, who naturally plays on the left side of central defence, an area where Schäefer's options are scarce. Midfielder Evan Taylor, once a teenage starter for Jamaica in World Cup qualifiers, is also on trial, especially since regular captain Rudolph Austin misses today's game with a leg injury.

Midfielder Omar Holness, a 20-year-old student at the University of North Carolina in the US, who led Jamaica at the 2011 Under-17 World Cup, is in line for a senior international debut.

"He was the captain (in Mexico)," said Schäefer. "He was a good player ... I want this player back in the team."

Defender Nicholy Finlayson, forward Jamar Loza and midfielders Kenardo Forbes and Keithy Simpson also come with much to prove. So too goalkeeper Ryan Thompson.

Jamaica's first action

Today is Jamaica's first action since a tough four-game tour between May and June, when the Reggae Boyz lost to Serbia (2-1) and Switzerland (1-0), drew 2-2 with Egypt, before being trounced by World Cup-bound France 8-0. The players believe that stint toughened them for the challenges ahead.

"You could see the progress from game to game," said Simon Dawkins, an attacking player with Derby County.

Ten Boyz who played in at least one of those games are available today. But Darren Mattocks, originally in the 18-man squad, has been ruled out. Schäefer said the striker's Major League Soccer (MLS) club Vancouver Whitecaps is concerned about a foot injury and he prefers not to risk him ahead of the Caribbean Cup.

The Boyz will instead look for goals from Dawkins, Loza of Norwich City, Deshorn Brown, of MLS's Colorado Rapids and Jermaine "Tuffy" Anderson.

Canada's 23-man squad lists professionals scattered across North America and Europe. At least five have Jamaican family connections, including Doneil Henry, Ashtone Morgan, Julian de Guzman, Tosaint Ricketts and Simeon Jackson.