Racing United seeking striker solution for playoffs push
Second-placed Racing frustrated with seventh draw in 10 games
Published:Saturday | January 24, 2026 | 12:11 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
As Racing United continue their push for a spot in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Premier League (JPL) playoffs head coach Anthony Patrick hopes they can find a solution for a lack of goals.
Racing sit second in the league standings with 34 points but have drawn seven of their last 10 games, dropping a potential 14 points.
In their last outing, they were held to a scoreless draw against Tivoli Gardens in a match Patrick felt his team had several opportunities to win the game.
That has been a running theme for the St Catherine-based club, who have been without a clinical striker this season.
A bulk of the team’s goals has been generated from their midfield, a model which Patrick does not believe is sustainable for the club.
“I think the thing that has been plaguing us is that number-nine position, or those two players up front who can get goals for us in a strike partnership,” the Racing boss said.
“We are relying heavily on our midfielders, you know, Nickyle Ellis and others. All the goals that we have got so far have come from them, it’s all our midfielders getting goals.”
It will not be a quick and simple solution for Racing, as Patrick explained they do not have the finances to bring in a striker of that quality.
He explained he has made several contacts with players, both international and local-based, who have been open to joining the club.
However, further conversations with these players have yet to lead to a signing as the club simply cannot afford to take on-board the costs to their budget.
“I think it’s a little bit difficult now where the transfer market is concerned. Speaking with the stakeholders and things, the funds are not there to go in the transfer market,” Patrick explained.
“I made some contact with some players, both one overseas and a few locally, and it never bore any fruit based on where the funds are concerned to bring them in.”
He added, “But it’s fine. We just have to continue doing what we’re doing now and hopefully we can carry on by the end.”
PLAYOFFS CONTENTION
Racing are one of the favourites to advance to the JPL playoffs at the end of the regular season, which Patrick said is their main objective.
Having only earned promotion last season, the club has made a major push as one of the title contenders this year.
Patrick said he is not surprised at their progress, having shown flashes of their quality last year.
Racing had finished eighth in the league standings, just seven points off from a spot in the playoffs.
“When you look at how we played (last year), we went on a 12-game unbeaten run last season and in the last four or five games, we fell short and started to lose points,” he continued.
“That alone shows that, give us another two or three seasons, we can really, really challenge every time for the top-six positions and challenge going further also.”
A year later, Patrick said they have made major improvements in both personnel and style of play, which has seen them sitting with the top two for most of the season.
“I must say that we are not surprised with the fact that we have been in second place for a very long time. I think we are more equipped this year. We expanded the group with more youngsters who left school last year,” he said.
“Then the few additions that we took in, Chavany Willis, he’s a major one, and the goalkeeper, Aaron Enill from Trinidad, I must say he’s doing a splendid job between the sticks.
“I think he’s the best keeper in the league right now and I must say kudos to him and all the players who are playing their part.”
Racing’s next match will see them in the Portmore derby against Portmore United at Ferdi Neita Park tomorrow, with kickoff set for 3 p.m.