- Simba French
- 12 hrs ago
- 0
BAYAMÓN, Puerto Rico — The Bahamas senior men’s national soccer team was in action last night against Puerto Rico in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and like a vast majority of athletes, a pre-game routine is something that is almost innate for them.
Several players from Team Bahamas shared how they get ready for games on actual game day. They played at the Estadio de Juan Ramón Loubriel in the 2023 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League in Bayamón last nigh
“I don’t have much of a routine, but I just relax and play some music – kompa music to get in a groove and keep my mind clear for the task at hand,” St. Fleur said.
One of the most vocal players on the team is Marcel Joseph. He missed the first window that included games against Puerto Rico and Guyana but he played in the next window and is available for this window.
“I love to play dancehall music to keep my energy up, and touching the ball during warm-up. Going through a routine before a game will help me stay focused,” he said.
Jean Tilo, who has his hair locked, was watching the humidity last night, trying to decide whether or not to put his hair in one. This is the second away game that he got to play in.
“I normally relax before a game. I play better when I am calm. I like to study my opponents play and I was able to watch Puerto Rico play to see where they can be exploited. I also listen to rap, dancehall and afrobeats to get me focused,” Tilo said.
The Bahamas’ leading goal scorer this season is Wood Julmis. He is a little different from Tilo, St. Fleur and Joseph.
“For me, I like to take a cold shower and relax. After a cold shower, I like to turn the hot water up and let the steam help me to focus,” Julmis said. He is a forward on the field and is hoping to score more goals so he can break out his celebration moves.
Jonathan Miller has been playing for The Bahamas since 2018. The 25-year-old said he ensures that he gets in enough water and listen to music.
“I try to zone out and visualize what I am going to do in the game and see what I need to work on. I look at the other team’s strengths and weaknesses and think about the next 90 minutes,” Miller said.
Ricardo McPhee, who plays midfield, said he does a lot of self-motivation and reflection before a game.
“That pre-game routine puts me in the right mindset and state of mind. I tell myself that is a beautiful day to play football and it gets me going,” McPhee said.
St. Fleur said that it is important to get relaxed and do whatever you have to do to get to that point before a game.
As a team, they pray in the huddle and have a little talk after the anthems are sung at the beginning of each game.