Jeff Cunningham of Toronto FC. - file

If Jamaica make it to the final round of qualifiers for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the young Boyz may not be the only footballers listening to reggae or searching the menu for jerk chicken, oxtails and rice and peas in Trinidad.

There is a growing possibility that the United States, which already booked a place in the CONCACAF round set for March, could feature several players with deep Jamaican roots. And, despite their commitment to the land of their birth, those players are not shy to embrace their island heritage.

"My upbringing was more Jamaican, especially when I was younger," admitted 19-year-old midfielder Anthony Wallace, a candidate to captain the US team. "No matter what, my Jamaican roots will be important to me ... It's just ingrained in me."

Wallace, originally from New York, is one of two players currently attending a US training camp in Florida who were born to Jamaican parents. The other is goalkeeper Sean Johnson from Georgia. But more could end up in Trinidad, including forward Tristan Bowen. Some have participated in previous camps and played for the US.

For Johnson, it's a welcome chance with the US team. However, his attachment to his parents' roots is equal to his birthplace and he's learned to adapt.

"My whole family is basically still in Jamaica," explained Johnson, whose father Everet is originally from St James and mother Joy from Manchester. "My household (in Georgia) is typically Jamaican ... Every year I go back to Jamaica. I feel like it's home away from home. I'm used to the culture there and I'm used to the culture here."

OPPORTUNITY

Yet the youngsters understand the opportunities football - soccer - brings in America. Last month Bowen and Wallace played for a US under-20s against professional clubs in Spain. Wallace is signed with F.C. Dallas of North America's Major League Soccer and appeared in several MLS games as a rookie last season. He played in the 2007 Under-20 World Cup and also represented the US under-17s and under-18s. He has noticed the number of players with Jamaican background entering America's programme.

"Especially lately," said Wallace, whose father Anthony Sr and mother Audrey McNeal are from Kingston. "As the years go on you're starting to see more and more coming in."

For many of those youngsters, the choice to represent the US or Jamaica is easy. The US signalled its interest in Wallace early, drafting him into a youth academy in Florida. That exposed him to training on and off the field that has prepared him for a pro career.

"It helped me grow," said Wallace, who claimed he spent more than 90 per cent of his time at the academy where he also attended school.

Jamaica didn't call, so Wallace's decision was clear-cut.

"No difficulty," he said when asked why he chose the US, "because I was never approached by anyone in Jamaican football. When I started to get serious (about the game), the opportunity was there to play for the US so I took it."

Bowen was a school and local club star in California. Too young to participate in a tryout staged by the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS, he snuck in anyway.

"Our coaching staff thought he was the best player on the field," said Galaxy's then general manager Alexi Lalas.

Bowen too embraced his Jamaican upbringing, but was reluctant to commit his football future to the country.

"Anything can happen," Bowen, now 17, said last year. "I haven't ruled it out."

Due to his age, the Galaxy placed Bowen in its development programme. But recently he signed a pro contract with the club, becoming the first player to move directly into the senior squad. He recently played for the Galaxy in an exhibition game in New Zealand and is hoping to kick off his MLS career in 2009.

DILEMMA

Johnson faced a different dilemma. He once attended an under-17 camp in Jamaica. Earlier this year, the 6' 4", 220-pound 'keeper said he trained with the under-20 Boyz as well. He even acquired a Jamaican passport.

"It was kind of hard for me," said the University of Central Florida sophomore. "I was born in the US. and wanted to play for the US. But Jamaica came up."

Jamaica's courting didn't last long, however, and Johnson said he was unclear about the country's plans for him.

"I flew down (to Jamaica), trained for a week and then flew back," he said. "Actually, I didn't get a response."

Last month Johnson accepted an invitation from the US.

None of the current under-20s with Jamaican background has played for the senior US team in official FIFA competition. That makes them eligible to play for Jamaica down the road. Yet while America's growing football quality eliminates any guarantee they'll make future US national teams, Johnson, Wallace and most of the other American-Jamaican players have made a choice.

"I'll probably stay in the US, but you never know," Johnson explained. "I like the position I'm in now."

Others before have done the same, including current US international Cory Gibbs. The defender's parents are from Jamaica, but he picked the American jersey. Forward Jeff Cunningham wanted to play for Jamaica where he was born. He was invited for friendly internationals with the Boyz in the 1990s. But, despite being among the most prolific goalscorers in MLS history, he was not recalled. He too took the chance when the US called and, like Gibbs, even played against Jamaica. Many American-Jamaican youngsters based their choice on football's more solid structure in the US.

"It depends on what your goals are ... the best platform to display your talent," said Johnson, who has a good chance of making the final squad to Trinidad.

DOUBLE DIP

Tristan Bowen

That does not prevent Wallace and Johnson from embracing what Jamaica and the US have gifted them. Both listen to the music. Beenie Man is Wallace's favourite reggae artiste. But the two players are also into American rap. And while Wallace loves jerk chicken and curried goat, and Johnson oxtail, both youngsters enjoy American favourites as well. They credit their Jamaican family background for much of their success. It's the best of both worlds.

"(My family) taught me a lot in terms of how they were brought up (in Jamaica)," explained Wallace, who has visited the island twice, the last time in 2006 to attend his grandmother's funeral.

"(My parents) always stressed good grades and discipline," added Johnson. "They did a good job. If I didn't do well I wasn't allowed to play."

Before Jamaica can go to Trinidad, the Boyz must first advance from the Caribbean Football Union's final round.

According to Wallace and Johnson, there will be no hard feelings if the US eventually faces Jamaica. Neither will there be confused loyalties.

"No, it will actually be pretty fun playing against them," Wallace said. "I've seen them play and I've always wanted to. But I want the US to win."

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.