(Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. with news about Williams’ selection.)
PITTSBURGH (Sept. 13, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC goalkeeper Jahmali Waite has been called up to the Jamaican National Team, and defender Jesse Williams has been brought in to the Trinidad & Tobago National Team for the upcoming international window.
It is the second time that Waite, 23, has been called up to the senior national team, having previously represented Jamaica at the Under-17 level. The first-year pro did not make an appearance when he was previously called up in June. Williams, 21, has made six appearances for Trinidad & Tobago since debuting for the Soca Warriors in summer of 2021.
Waite and the Reggae Boyz will face Argentina in a friendly at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m., which means Waite’s international debut could come against the likes of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria with Argentina getting prepared for the FIFA World Cup in November.
In his first year with the Hounds, Waite has made 16 league appearances, posting a 0.94 goals-against average and seven shutouts. The former University of Connecticut goalkeeper also made a season-high five saves in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, as his standout performance helped the Hounds blank MLS club FC Cincinnati for 90 minutes before falling in extra time, 2-0.
Williams will be logging extra frequent flyer miles with Trinidad & Tobago, which will take part in the 2022 King’s Cup in Thailand from Sept. 22-25. The Soca Warriors are scheduled to face Tajikistan in the opening match at 5:30 p.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET) on Sept. 22, while Malaysia and host Thailand round out the field.
Also in his first year with the Hounds, Williams has made six appearances, including two starts in league play this season. He most recently came on as a substitute to help the Hounds close out a 2-1 win at Loudoun on Sept. 4.
The Hounds are currently on the road to face Birmingham Legion FC in a USL Championship match Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. The 8 p.m. match can be streamed on ESPN+.
