Kansas City Wizards defender Shavar Thomas started and played 89 minutes last night for the Jamaican National Team as they defeated Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in an international friendly at Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago.
Thomas earned his 28th international appearance for the Reggae Boyz and nearly scored his first career international goal off a corner kick in the early moments of the match, but his header went just high at the back post. The game was his first for Theodore Whitmore’s squad since February 10 when he faced Argentina in a 2-1 loss in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and was his third overall appearance of the 2010 calendar year after playing in his country’s 1-0 home win over Canada on January 31.
Jamaica, ranked No. 82 in the recently released FIFA rankings, opened the scoring on a goal from New York Red Bulls forward Dane Richards in the 7th minute. Rodolph Austin grabbed the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 30th minute, and Kevin Bryan sealed the victory with his second-half strike in the 52nd minute. Trinidad and Tobago’s lone tally came in the 28th minute from Devon Jorsling.
Thomas served as captain for Jamaica’s 2004 Olympic squad (U-23) and was also a member of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup team. Jamaica will next play Costa Rica at home on September 5 and then again two days later against Peru in Miami.
Thomas was re-acquired by the Wizards in a trade with Philadelphia on June 30, after spending three seasons in Kansas City from 2004-2006, and has started every game since his return. Thomas will rejoin the Wizards in San Jose and is expected to be available for Saturday’s match against the Earthquakes.
