FGSL Labor Day games preview; Grenada will seek their fourth Int'l FGSL title versus Jamaica

Labor means hard work, well the FGSL have a ton of work to do this Labor Day weekend. Four games will be played this Sunday at Old Boys High Athletic Field. The most anticipated one is of course the International FGSL final between two juggernauts Grenada and Jamaica; the Supporters Cup will also start with Guyana taking on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Trinidad and Tobago will be in a action as well as they will face Saint Lucia for the third place Int'l FGSL silverware. And not to forget, Atlanta Legends will play an exhibition match versus Unity F.C's over-35 team.

Here's a preview of the FGSL Labor Day games this weekend:

Int'l FGSL final: Powerhouses Grenada and Jamaica battle for the Int'l FGSL trophy

The last and certainly not the least game of the day will be the Int'l FGSL championship match between the speedy Grenadians and defensive powerhouse Jamaica at 7:30 p.m., which will be the second consecutive Int'l FGSL final played under floodlights.

The Spice Boyz won the title last year, besting Guyana 1-0, and owns the most Int'l FGSL trophy, winning the league three times in 2012, 2014 and in 2017, as mentioned.

Ex-Jamaica international star Jermaine Hue holds Grenada in high regard but expressed that his country has a bold and talented team.

"Yes, we have to give Grenada respect because they are the defending champs," Hue said. "We are Jamaica and we are a confident team with a lot of very good players that love to win championships. This is a game that we are going to take very seriously, a game that we must win."

Jamaica playmaker Jermaine Hue in a match versus Saint Lucia. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images


The Reggae Boyz have one Int'l FGSL title to their name, winning the league in 2015. They're going in the final undefeated in the league with a 8-0-3 record and conceded the least goals, allowing five goals in 11 outings.

Jamaica clinched the final by cruising past Saint Kitts and Nevis 8-1 in the quarterfinals and slimming past Saint Lucia 1-0 in the semis after ending the regular season in second spot.

As for Grenada, they finished the regular season in first place by just one point over Jamaica with a 7-1-1 record and after enjoying a bye round in the quarterfinals they conquered Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in the semis.

Last time the two teams faced in the Int'l FGSL the match ended 2-2. Grenada 23-year-old midfielder Shavon John-Brown, who also plays for the national team, shared that his side's pace and chemistry will be beneficial in breaking down The Reggae Boyz defense.

"I think my team's pace and chemistry will be very valuable because we know what Jamaica can bring to the table," John-Brown said, "they are one of the best the team in the league, lots of talent,  so I'll just hope that on game day my team together with myself are up for the challenge and willing to go that extra mile."

Grenada starlet Shavon John-Brown. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Sunday's final will be the youngster's first final for his country at any level as he missed last season's championship match due to his collegiate season.

"I played in many finals before, but this one is a little different since it's my country I'm representing," John-Brown said. "I'm going out there to give everything I have in the tank, so that after the game win or lose I can say I did my best."

The 23-year-old netted in the semis against Trinidad and is the fifth top scorer with eight goals. Two more Grenadians with eyes for goals to watch out for in the final are Clive Murray, who leads the league in goals, tallying 11 and Marcus Julien who's second behind Murray with nine goals.



Supporters Cup: Guyana vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 4:15 p.m.

The Supporters Cup will start this Sunday with a match-up between Guyana and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 4:15 p.m. The FGSL started the Supporters Cup last season due the lack of soccer competitions in Brooklyn after Labor Day. 

Guyana manager Akintunde 'Riggit' Rudder is thrilled that his team will take part in the Supporters Cup.

"These cups add more exciting soccer for the players and most of all for the fans across the FGSL," he said.

"We the Guyana staff are very exited to participate in this Supporters Cup mainly to entertain our fans whom surely didn't get enough of us this season of the international league."

Riggit is also keen to pivot The Golden Jaguars to a successful Supporters Cup after losing in the quarterfinals of the Int'l FGSL to Saint Lucia 1-0.

"And yes, I'm eager to be very competitive after being out of the big four [of the international league]."

Guyana recently won a FGSL cup, the Players Cup, overpowering Saint Vincent 2-1 in the final. 

About playing a rematch of the Players Cup versus Vincy Heat, Riggit said: "Saint Vincent is and was always highly respected by Guyana's squad so we know it's not an easy day at the office but we are up and looking forward for a great game."

Saint Vincent is also the runner up of the Supporters Cup, losing to Saint Lucia 1-0 in the final last year.


Int'l FGSL third place game: Trinidad and Tobago vs Saint Lucia at 5: 45 p.m.

Trinidad and Tobago will square up with Saint Lucia in the small final at 5:45 p.m. Trinidad fell to Grenada 3-1 in the semifinal while Saint Lucia lost to Jamaica 1-0. 

Saint Lucia and T&T both ended the regular season with 19 points. The Soca Warriors got the best out of Saint Vincent 2-1 in the quarterfinals as St. Lucia vanquished last year's finalists Guyana 1-0.

Lucia recently knocked Trinidad out of the Players Cup on July 29th.


Exhibition match: Atlanta Legends vs Unity F.C Over-35 at 2:30 p.m.

Experience will kick off the Labor Day weekend games at Old Boys High Athletic Field as Atlanta Legends will go head to head with two-time FGSL club champions Unity F.C's over-35 squad at 2:30 p.m.

Int'l FGSL semifinals recap

Grenada overpowers 10-man Trinidad 3-1 to reach the final again

Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images

Last year champions Grenada will once again play in the Int’l FGSL final as they got the best out of 10-man Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 on Sunday evening at Old Boys High Athletic Field.

Just seconds after the first whistle, The Spice Boys were rewarded a penalty kick when T&T keeper Kern Griffith fouled Ariel Jacob in the box.

Griffith made up for conceding the PK, diving on his right to block Grenada veteran player Shane Rennie from the spot.

“Ah, it was hard,” Rennie said about missing the penalty.

He later added: “I put the penalty behind me because it happened already, my teammates continued pushing me and tell me ‘It’s gone already’.”

Grenada player Shane Rennie. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images.

It seemed that missing from the spot early in the game didn’t demoralize the Grenadians as 11 minutes into the encounter they took the lead.

Marcus Julien looped an inch perfect through ball to Shavon John-Brown, who managed to beat the offside trap to bury a shot beyond keeper Griffith from inside the 18.

The Soca Warriors searched for an equalizer in the first half but couldn’t direct a shot on target. One of their best chances as when Taejan George whipped a shot to the side netting after completing a swift one-two with Shastri Speacer.

It didn’t take too long for Trinidad to hit a shot on frame and score after the break.

Two minutes inside the second half, Billy Scantlebury beamed a shot from outside the 18 off the crossbar; the rebound fell to Jabari Salandy, who steered the ball back toward the goal but Grenada keeper Simeon Peters blocked his shot away. Teyon Edward pounced on the rebound to easily tap the ball in the net.

T&T went down a man in the 50^th minute when keeper Griffith received a second yellow card for accidentally palming the ball outside the box.

Grenada took full advantage of their extra man as Rennie banged Clive Murray’s cross in the net from close range an hour into the match.

“I was relieved,” Rennie said after he had missed a penalty, “but was still pushing hard because 2-1 up is not a victory, you got to work hard until you get another one.”

The Spice Boyz did score another goal in the 66^th minute. Julien elegantly twisted and turned by a couple of Trinidadian defenders in the box before pushing the ball to Murray, who confidently hit a shot low and hard in the net.

Grenada will play Jamaica in the final on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. at Old Boys High Atheltic Field.

“It’s a good feeling when you work and end up in the finals,” Rennie said. “This season it was harder because we have less men this season to put us through to the final.”

Edwards‘ solitary goal pushes Jamaica past St. Lucia to the final

Jamaica forward John-Ross Edwards. Brooklyn Soccer Nations Images.

After losing in the semifinals last year, Jamaica are in the FGSL final this season, edging St. Lucia 1-0 in the first semifinal on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys High Athletic Field.

The Reggae Boyz almost opened the scoring three minutes into the game as R. Bull hammered a long range hit off the crossbar. John-Ross Edwards attempted to score from the rebound but curved a shot past the right upper corner of the net.

St. Lucia was also eager to score early on for Bryant curled a shot to the upper left corner but only to find Richie’s glove.

Lucia outshot Jamaica 6-5 in the first half however it was The Reggae Boyz who opened the scoring in the 25^th minute. Jermaine Hue hit an inch perfect through ball to Edwards, who took a couple of touches in the 18-yard box before driving a low shot to the far-right corner of the net.

“It’s always good for a forward to get on the scoresheet, that’s our main focus. It feels good to score the victorious goal today,” Edwards said after the match.

Carlito came close to even scoring for St. Lucia, beaming a free kick off the crossbar in the 33^rd minute.

Jamaica didn't add to their tally in the second half but kept The Piton scoreless to secure the win and move to the final.

“It feels good to reach the final,” Edwards said. “We have a rivalry with Grenada—if they make it there—likewise Trinidad (Grenada and T&T had not played yet).”

He later added: “It’s going to be a very difficult final. Everybody knows we’re playing for a trophy, you know, bragging rights, I think every player are going to come out and put a hard fight for their country.”

FGSL semifinals preview: Grenada squares up with T&T before St. Lucia's clash with Jamaica

The FGSL displayed one of the most illustrious amateur soccer finals in Brooklyn last year as powerhouses Grenada and Guyana played a delightful game in front of a soldout Old Boys High School field in Brooklyn’s first ever amateur soccer final played under light. Four teams will go at it this Sunday with the hope of reaching the highest point of the most prestigious soccer competition in Brooklyn: the FGSL final.

It will start with Jamaica taking on Saint Lucia at 4:00 p.m. at Old Boys High School and end with a massive fixture between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago at 5:30 p.m. at the same venue.

Grenada vs Trinidad and Tobago at 5:30 p.m.

First placed team and last year champions Grenada shockingly crashed out of the Players Cup with a 3-0 loss to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines then lost the third-place game to Saint Lucia 2-1.

Grenada defender Chevy Augustine is confident that his side will bounce back with a win on Sunday.

“I believe we were in a good position to win the Players Cup, we didn't have a great performance on that day as a team and that happens. I've played the game enough to know this,” Augustine said.

“Now, two weeks later, we are at the same position we were before. Will it be the same? I think not. This time, I believe there will be a much bigger fight because not only is there a league title to defend, but also a reputation to maintain.”

Despite their substandard Players Cup, the Spice Boyz are still one of the favorites to win the Int’l FGSL title as they ended the regular season at the summit of the table with a 7-1-1 record while scoring the most goals, hitting the net 26 times. Grenada has three players in the top five scorers chart, Clive Murray [10 goals, first], Marcus Julien [9 goals] and Shavon John-Brown [7 goals, fifth].

Julien expressed what it’s like going in the semifinals as one of the favorites to win the league.

“As favorites it brings both confidence and pressure. Pressure yes, because after playing for years your number one priority is pleasing your supporters. You never love seeing a disappointed face in the stands.

“But more so it gives confidence, nothing is satisfying as a football player to know you are deemed in high regard. And at this stage we want nothing more than to play at a standard we know we possess. Once we play well, with confidence, then a win is inevitable.”

On the other end, Trinidad & Tobago is entering the game as the underdogs. T&T missed the playoffs last year, qualified this season as the fourth seed with a 6-2-1 record.

The Soca Warriors' top scorer of the season, Andre Toussaint, explained that as the least favorite to win they’re going into the game without a weight on their shoulders.

“For me the underdogs don't have anything to lose so the pressure is on Grenada,” he said.

Trinidad and Tobago forward Andre Toussaint. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images

Trinidad got the best out of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Toussaint is assured that he and his teammates have the talent to win their next game on Sunday as well versus Grenada to reach the final.

“I know it's not going to be an easy game but I have a lot of confidence in any team we put on the field,” the forward said.

Last time the two teams met, it ended in a 6-4 win in favor of Grenada. Toussaint scored a brace for T&T. 

Jamaica vs Saint Lucia at 4:00 p.m.

  

The other semifinal features a matchup between the best defensive team in the league Jamaica, who only gave away four goals in nine league games and the second best offensive team Saint Lucia, who netted 21 league goals. The Piton’s forward Bradley Nestor is the tournament’s third top scorer with eight goals.

Jamaica defensive stalwart Meshach ‘Yabba’ Tinglin is well aware of Lucia’s dangerous attack hence emphasized on how important it is for he and his teammates not to lose their concentration and to believe in one another’s ability.

“In order for us to put up another great defensive display,” Yabba said, “we have to know that it's imperative we remain focused, continue to believe in each other on the pitch, and last but not least play and enjoy the game as a unit. We also bare in mind and remember that our defense begins from the strikers not only defenders. This has been one of the reasons our defense has been so good.”

Jamaica center back Meshach 'Yabba' Tinglin on the ball. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images.

Jamaica powered past seventh placed Saint Kitts and Nevis 8-1 in the quarterfinals. As for Lucia they notably edged last year finalists and Players Cup champions Guyana 2-1 to reach the semis and in their previous match they conquered Grenada 2-1.

After Lucia’s last two remarkable performances, the Reggae Boyz will make sure they bring their A game on Sunday.

“Those two results for St. Lucia definitely inspired my team to come out stronger in this semi-final,” Yabba said.

“However we will not be thinking much about any past results this coming Sunday. We will be focused on the task on hand. We as a unit respect each team and are fully aware that no result is guaranteed until the final whistle.”

Lucia and Jamaica will be the two closest teams in the table to face each other in the playoffs so far as the Reggae Boyz ended the regular season in second position with 21 points and The Piton one spot below them with 19 points.