Jamaicans set to clash in USL conference finals

No matter what unfolds during this weekend's United Soccer League (USL) Championship conference finals on Saturday, Jamaica is poised to have a winning outcome by the time a champion is crowned.

National players will be featured in both games as Devon 'Speedy' Williams of Louisville City hopes to advance to another championship game when they host the Jordan Scarlett and the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Eastern Conference final at 6:30 p.m. Jamaica time. Meanwhile, Damion Lowe and Kevon Lambert of Phoenix Rising will play against Saeed Robinson of El Paso Locomotive FC at 9:30 p.m.

The 28-year-old Williams has been here before, having won the title twice with Louisville and played in four straight championship games. He says that the fact that a Jamaican player has participated in the final four of the USL play-offs is great for the Reggae Boyz overall profile, but he quickly reminded everyone that he is going the win.

"It shows the quality we bring to the league and the continued success we're having. Yes, there is extra motivation competing against fellow Jamaicans, but it's not for bragging rights," Williams told STAR Sports. "It's for my personal growth as a player and as a winner."

Lowe, who joined Phoenix in September, says that it will be a victory for Jamaica regardless of who wins it all. Each player will be personally driven to ensure that they can reap the rewards of success

"We all want to win trophies, and we all want to put our names in the history books so, of course, we want our names there and nobody else's," Lowe said. "But if it's not for us, then another man is going to get it and it's a fellow Jamaican, so we're all just going to be happy for them either way."

Williams has scored four goals in 16 appearances this season, while Lowe has only played twice in the regular season but has featured in both play-off games in 2020.

The USL championship final will be played on November 1.w