The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have announced their approval for defender Lance Laing to play for the Reggae Boyz for upcoming events. Jamaica's national team will play three international friendly games over the next three weeks, one against Guyana on May 18, and a two against Panama on May 27 and June 1.

The Reggae Boyz will be using these games in preparation for CONCACAF round three of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Qualifications will start on June 6 and end on October 16. Jamaica is in Group A along with USA, Guatemala, and Antigua and Barbuda.

"It's a big opportunity to represent myself, my club and my country," said Lance about the upcoming friendly, "It's a big deal as it's a chance to play at a higher level, and I know the Strikers are more than happy to see me get this opportunity."

Laing, who plays at the left back position, is in his second season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and was named to play in the 2011 NASL's All-Star team. He represented Jamaica's Under 17 youth team in 2004 and 2005 and made his international debut with the Reggae Boyz against El Salvador in 2008.

Lance has been in good form this season with one goal and one assist. The Strikers will next face defending NASL Champion, the Minnesota Stars FC, on Saturday, May 19, starting 7.30 p.m. at the Lockhart Stadium.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers earned a thrilling come from behind draw at 3-3 against Carolina RailHawks last Wednesday May 2, at WakeMed Soccer Park in North Carolina. The Strikers earned their first point at WakeMed Soccer Park in franchise history and moved into second place in the NASL standings with nine points.

The RailHawks came out on the attack, forcing the Strikers to defend. Just before half time, Strikers found themselves behind as RailHawks striker Brian Shriver scored.

The Strikers soon found themselves further behind when Nick Zimmerman scored again for the RailHawks. The Strikers were forced to push forward and were rewarded when Lance Laing curled a powerful free kick over the wall and inside the near post from 30 yards out.

Strikers however were caught on the break as Nick Zimmerman again found himself in front of goal. His second attempt fired past goalie Matt Glaeser to restore the two goal advantage.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers suffered mixed results in last week's games, capturing three points at home on April 25 when they fended off a spirited Puerto Rico Islanders by a 3-2 margin. The Strikers got all three goals from Aly Hassan. Islanders replied with goals from Jay Needham and David Foley.

The Strikers however were outgunned on the road by Florida rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies by a 3-1 score line at Al Lang Stadium in Saint Petersburg on April 28.

"They were better than us tonight and got the result they deserve," said Strikers' Head Coach Daryl Shore. "We can't make excuses and we have to regroup."

This marks the Strikers' first defeat of the season in a game dominated by defense. The Rowdies took the lead from the first half with a beautiful strike by Matt Clare and solidified their lead with a penalty strike from Mike Ambersley. The Strikers got on the score sheet with a 90th minute goal from Walter Restrepo. The Rowdies however reclaimed their two-goal advantage with a third in time added on by Keith Savage.

The Strikers now have eight points, two points behind Puerto Rico and on level with Tampa Bay. The Strikers will next travel to Cary, North Carolina to face the Carolina RailHawks on May 2 at the WakeMed Soccer Park.

The final round of the CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Women Under-17 qualification begins on May 2 in Guatemala City, Guatemala at the Estadio Cementos Progresso Stadium.

The Caribbean will be represented by winners of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifiers Trinidad and Tobago, as well as runners-up Jamaica and The Bahamas.

Jamaica is in Group A and will be up against host Guatemala, Canada and Panama. In Group B, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas must fend off USA and Mexico.

The top three teams from this round will qualify for the World Cup. It will not be easy for all three Caribbean teams to qualify as the top three teams, USA, Canada and Mexico, are expected to advance. But, as the USA U-17 team can report following their previous failure to qualify in 2010, "you don't count your chicken before they hatch." Despite outscoring their opponent with an impressive 38-0 during the tournament, the 2010 U-17 USA team lost by a crucial missed penalty kick against Canada.

The final goal for all teams is the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, starting September 22 in Azerbaijan.