For the first time in his life, Bethlehem Steel FC defender Jamoi Topey earned a call-up to Jamaica’s senior-national team. Topey, age 19, had previously featured heavily for Jamaica’s U20 squad in the CONCACAF U20 Championship held in 2018. He had played on the international stage before, but this time he would be playing with Reggae Boyz legends, like Andre Blake and Cory Burke.
“When I first heard that I got called up to play with the senior team, I was feeling very overwhelmed,” said Topey when asked what went through his mind when he found out. “I didn’t even know how to react. It was a joyful moment for me and a true honor.”
In his first-ever senior national team call-up, Jamaica was facing off against a very strong Costa Rica squad in San Jose, Costa Rica on March 26. Topey was able to achieve a life-long dream that night in San Jose, earning his first-ever senior national team cap by coming on as a substitute in the second half against a squad that included players like Real Madrid star Keylor Navas.
“It wasn’t too hard to go up against Costa Rica because I’ve been waiting for that moment all my life, to play against some of the best players in Central and North America,” stated Topey.
Costa Rica scored in the first half from a Keysher Fuller-Spence strike. Topey came on as second-half substitute in the 56th minute of the match, earning solid playing time that totaled 34 minutes in his first cap for the Reggae Boyz. During that second half, Jamaica was able to keep the Costa Rican lead at 1-0, fending off attacks from the likes of Kendall Waston and Ronald Matarrita. Even though Jamaica lost, the experience was one to learn and build from for Topey.
“It was a great experience for me to make my senior team debut at age 19,” Topey noted. “I’m glad I get a chance to understand how big international football feels and represent my country. I’m hoping to be back with the guys soon.”
Topey has played well for Steel FC so far this season. The Jamaican center back has played 180 minutes in two matches for the club, only committing one foul in that period. He started in the Steel’s matches against Birmingham and North Carolina, helping the club keep a clean sheet in their first regular-season match of 2019 against Birmingham. Topey was acquired by Steel FC via loan on March 1, 2019 from Cavalier SC.
Jamoi Topey and Bethlehem Steel FC travel to take on Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 6, at 5:00 p.m. ET at Children’s Mercy Park. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+
