Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush sports medicine doctor Jeffrey Mjaanes, M.D. has traveled to Jamaica with the U.S. U-17 Men's National soccer team. He will be sending updates on the training sessions and qualifier rounds.

Friday, February 18 12:00 AM - We have been training all week as well as resting in preparation for today. In about 30 minutes, we start our second match of the CONCACAF U-17 World Cup Qualifier Tournament, this time against Panama. We are already guaranteed a place in the second round due to our win over Cuba, but we are playing for first place.

The weather has been a bit cloudy, but today is sunny and hot, but with a nice breeze. In other news, the Haitian team left the tournament after two of their players tested positive for malaria, and they couldn't field a team for their match against El Salvador.

More information can be found at www.concacaf.com or www.ussoccer.com

- Jeff

Wednesday, February 16 10:00 AM - Yesterday we had our first match in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) U-17 Tournament. The final score was USA 3, Cuba 1. Our first goal was scored by Alfred Koroma at minute 27. Within the first 10 minutes of the second half, Esteban (Stevie) Rodriguez and Andrew Oliver also scored. We suffered no major injuries. (Attached is pre-game picture with Cuba on the left, USA on the right).

Today the team had a training session for those who did not play in yesterday's game and a cool-down session for those who did play. Also the guys had a bit of free time. Tomorrow, more training. The weather is comfortable, mid-80's but just a touch of humidity. Keeping the guys hydrated is key.

Our next match is against Panama on Friday 2/18. Game time is 4:30pm EST.

- Jeff

Monday, February 14 11:00 AM - Our team includes 20 men plus staff. We had a training session yesterday afternoon and again this afternoon.

This morning we did a walk-through of the official game stadium, Catherine Hall. We are getting acclimated to the heat and humidity - harder for me coming from Chicago than for the team which lives in residence year-round in Florida. Good thing I'm not playing, just providing medical care!

We have no major injuries and feel good about our chances in the tournament. Still some of the teams are tough. The four top teams will head to the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Mexico this summer.

Our first match is against the Cuban national team tomorrow. Will write more later-for now, bye from (sunny and hot) Montego Bay, Jamaica ;)