Two Sporting Kansas City players faced off in the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup on Monday as Shavar Thomas and Stephane Auvray each captained their countries in the Group I fixture between Jamaica and Guadeloupe. Thomas and Jamaica prevailed in a 2-0 victory at the Riviere Pilote Sports Complex in Martinique, as both Sporting Kansas City representatives played the full 90 minutes for their second straight international match.
Jamaica’s six points from their first two group games secures first place in Group I for a berth in the semifinals, held Friday, and also qualifies Jamaica for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Guadeloupe enter their final group game with a single point after drawing Guyana in their opener, but can advance to the semifinals with a win over Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday if Jamaica also beats Guyana in the doubleheader.
Thomas, making his 33rd international appearance, received his second yellow card of the tournament in the 59th minute on Monday and will miss Jamaica’s group finale serving a one-game suspension for caution accumulation.
Auvray, who nearly gave Guadeloupe the lead with two scoring chances in the opening minutes of the second half on Monday, made his 18th international appearance in the loss. Guadeloupe is looking for its third straight appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, after Auvray played in both the 2007 and 2009 editions.
The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be held in the United States in June, with the winner earning a berth to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
