It was a night of drama and defiance at the National Stadium in Kingston on Tuesday, as Mount Pleasant FA launched their 2025 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory over Suriname’s SV Robinhood.
Reduced to 10 men after just 10 minutes, the Jamaican champions summoned remarkable resilience to protect their home turf.
Striker Warner Brown’s early dismissal left Mount Pleasant staring down the barrel of a daunting uphill battle. But rather than collapse under the weight of adversity, they tightened ranks, dug deep, and struck back with a moment of brilliance.
McCalla delivers the breakthrough
The decisive play arrived in the 35th minute from an unexpected source. Rising above a cluster of defenders, Sue-Lae McCalla connected with a perfectly delivered corner from Gadail Irving, directing a thunderous header into the back of the net.
The stadium erupted in celebration, Mount Pleasant’s supporters sensing the importance of that singular moment. For McCalla, it was not just a goal—it was a declaration of intent.
“It was all about fighting for the team tonight,” McCalla reflected after the match. “We knew it would be difficult, but the belief never wavered.”
Defense stands tall
From then on, it was backs-to-the-wall football. Goalkeeper Tafari Chambers marshaled his area with authority, while the defensive line absorbed wave after wave of Robinhood pressure. Determined tackling, tireless running, and sheer willpower defined Mount Pleasant’s performance as they clung to their slender lead until the final whistle.
The victory not only opened their account in Group A but also showcased the grit that has come to characterize Jamaican club football at the regional level.
Cibao exact revenge on Cavalier
The night’s other Caribbean Cup clash carried its own drama, as Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic avenged last year’s heartbreak by defeating defending champions Cavalier FC 2-0 at Estadio Cibao FC.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Ernesto Trinidad carved through the right channel and squared for Omar De La Cruz, who coolly slotted home the tournament’s opening goal. Cavalier, unable to mount a serious response, fell further behind in the 73rd when Carlos Ventura doubled Cibao’s advantage, sealing a statement win for the Dominican powerhouse.
What’s next in the Caribbean Cup
The competition now shifts focus to next week’s fixtures. In Group A, SV Robinhood will attempt to recover when they host Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, while Mount Pleasant travel to face Moca FC in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.
In Group B, Cibao will seek to extend their winning momentum against Barbados’s Weymouth Wales FC next Tuesday, and Cavalier will look to rebound on Thursday when they welcome Haiti’s Juventus des Cayes to Kingston.
