Caribbean Cup SF Game-Changer: Orlando Russell of Cavalier

MIAMI, Florida – It has been a Concacaf Caribbean Cup to remember for Jamaican side Cavalier, as they have rolled into the Final of the tournament after a 5-0 aggregate victory over fellow Jamaican club Harbour View in the semifinals.

All five goals came in the first leg victory away at Harbour View, helped in large part by a two-assist performance from attacker Orlando Russell. Based on his performance over the two legs, the 22-year-old Russell is the Game-Changer for the 2023 Caribbean Cup semifinals.

“It makes me feel great because I didn’t start that well in the first three matches and coming up against Harbour View I got two assists in that game, so I’m very grateful for those two assists,” said Russell in an interview with Concacaf.com. “I come from Harbour View, so any time I play against Harbour View I always have my ‘A’ game. My team and I know what I’m capable of, so I just go out there and do my best,” added Russell. Cavalier boast the youngest squad in Jamaica and one of the youngest rosters of any club side in the world, and Russell points to that as one of the secrets of the team’s success in the Caribbean Cup.

Adding fuel to Cavalier’s fire has been the electricity they feel playing in an international tournament. Russell and his teammates are thriving on the big stage because that’s where opportunities reside. “Concacaf games are special because it gives us experience. We get to travel, we get to play in different stadiums, going to different countries, so it is like it is preparing us for our professional careers. Concacaf is good for us because it gives us experience to what we want to do in the future. It’s building you to become better,” said Russell. Cavalier roared through the group stage with three wins and a draw prior to their semifinal victory against Harbour View. Now in the Final, they will take on another team that has dazzled fans and onlookers alike, Robinhood of Suriname. “We were in two finals this season and didn’t win, so we are really going to go for this one. We need to bring home this one, so we are going to do everything in our power to get this done. My team and I are ready,” said Russell. By reaching the Final of the Caribbean Cup, Russell and his Cavalier teammates have also secured a place in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Russell is already counting down the days until he can get a crack at the region’s best. “I’m very grateful to get a chance to play in that tournament because as a youngster growing up, that’s my dream, to go to different countries and play. Playing in this Champions Cup will give me more experience so other teams and coaches can see me show my talent. I’m very grateful to be playing in Concacaf Champions Cup,” said Russell. Adding to the allure is the possibility of meeting Argentina superstar and 2022 FIFA World Cup champion Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Round of 16. Russell can’t help but break into a wide smile when he considers the chance of going up against Messi.

And Russell would like nothing more than for Cavalier to enter into the Champions Cup as the reigning Caribbean Cup champions. “Winning this Caribbean Cup would be a big stepping stone. It would expose our team more knowing that we are the youngest team winning this Caribbean Cup. As the youngest team, if we win, people will ask, ‘What has Cavalier been doing to be achieving this?’ It would be a big steppingstone for us and motivating going into the Champions Cup,” concluded Russell.