THREE-PEAT? - Portmore United tasked with stopping Cavalier’s JPL playoff dominance

The 2025-26 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) title will be decided this evening at the National Stadium, with defending champions Cavalier taking on former winners Portmore United, in what is expected to be an engaging affair, starting at 8 p.m.

Both teams overturned one-goal deficits in their semifinal ties to book places in today's championship decider, and Portmore coach Rodolph Austin is emphasising having a winning mentality for the most important match of the season.

"It's all about mentality and who wants it more," the former Reggae Boyz captain commented. "It comes down to that. They are playing. We are playing. So it's who wants it the most."

Portmore have improved twofold, especially in attack, since the start of the playoffs, dispatching Racing United (5-3 on aggregate) and the Caribbean Champions Mount Pleasant (4-3 on aggregate) to book their date with Cavalier.

The seven-time champions know what it takes to win a final and Austin said they will be leaving it all out on the field in their quest for an eighth hold on the title.

"We just have to go out there and play and try to win the game. Just give it our all and try our best to win at all cost. That's how football is. That's how you play a final. Be sensible, but go hard to win," he said.

Cavalier assistant coach David Laylor said they have noticed the improvements and changes Portmore have made in the playoffs, and expect a gruelling matchup. 

"I was really surprised by the amount of goals scored on them in the last game. This tells us that the defence is not that tight. It can be opened at any time. They have now switched into attacking mode and by doing that they have left their backline exposed.

"They believe they can outscore the opponent. You can see the amount of goals that have been scored on them (in playoffs). It means that they are giving up something for something else, but once we can keep a tight rein in the defensive unit, and we can perform like we did in the last three games, we can do well to take it home," he commented.

Laylor pointed out that Portmore have been showing they are serious contenders for the Premier League title during the regular season and that in their semifinal win over Mount Pleasant they showed real 'class'.

"They came up against a tough Mount Pleasant and really showed class. So we know this Portmore team is no joke. This is one of the hardest teams for us to play against."

Nevertheless, he said once they can replicate their defensive effort in the playoffs to date and make use of their opportunities, they can win a third straight JPL crown.

"We have to take the chances when we get them. We will get chances, but at the end of the day goals win games. No matter how well you perform out on the pitch, goals win games. So if we can take our chances when we get them, good fortune will follow on the day.

"We really relish this final part of the tournament. When you look at the guys and how they have responded, they have responded really well and have performed like true champions. We just want them to stay focused and if they perform like how they have in the last few games, we really should be good."

The final will be preceded by the third-place match between Mount Pleasant and Montego Bay, starting at 5 p.m.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Montego Bay vs Mt Pleasant – 5 p.m.

Cavalier vs Portmore – 8 p.m.

Games to be played at the National Stadium.