Bell expects ‘a lot of noise’ from Boyz

REGGAE BOYZ defender Jon Bell is beaming with confidence ahead of Jamaica's Copa America opener upon his return to the squad following club duties with Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Despite being named in head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson's 26-man squad last Tuesday, Bell would only join the team's training yesterday due to club commitments.

He played 80 minutes in Seattle's 2-2 draw with Houston Dynamo before joining the national squad ahead of tomorrow's opener against Mexico.

The centre-back said despite his tired legs, he is excited to be part of the squad set for the Copa America.

"It's a blessing," he said.

"Every chance you get to represent your country feels great to be here. I feel great and I feel confident. Obviously, I'm a little bit tired, I played some heavy minutes but we had a good result. We played well so overall it's a good feeling."

The Jamaica team has been drawn in Group B of the Copa America alongside Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador.

Bell, who is entering his first international tournament with the Reggae Boyz, is confident the quality within the squad is capable of creating 'a lot of noise' throughout the competition.

"You work hard each day for opportunities like this to come and for him to call me up, it is a great chance to show myself. I think we have a really great squad with a lot of potential to make a lot of noise in the tournament.

"I think it is going to be a great opportunity for everybody in this squad to showcase what Jamaica really has," he added.

Bell is making his return to the national team following his debut against Guatemala in an international friendly played in November last year.

Then, Bell played just the first half of the contest but felt it was a special moment to make his international debut with his family in attendance.

He was recently named in the World Cup qualifiers squad, but was ultimately replaced by Cavalier's Gadail Irving.

"It was a great feeling. Obviously, it was my first opportunity and it was special to have all of my family there, my parents and my cousins so it was a great feeling," he explained.

"My dad is actually from Kingston, Jamaica, and we still have a lot of family there living in Kingston and Montego Bay so mostly all of the family is really Jamaican."

Jamaica take on Mexico tomorrow at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas at 8 p.m.