New York Red Bulls winger Dane Richards has rejected a call from the Jamaica national team to focus on pre-season training.

The 28-year old has turned down the invitation from the Reggae Boyz for upcoming friendlies with Cuba and New Zealand as he would prefer to concentrate on the imminent MLS season with the Red Bulls.

"I'm just going to stick with the team for pre-season," said Richards.

"The friendly was right before the week before MLS (opens). Travel to New Zealand, I think is going to be too far. It would kill me. I turned it down.

"Hopefully it will work out good for me. It's also a friendly. I don't want to go away for friendlies. There are more important games coming up, like World Cup qualifiers. I'd rather go for those games than for a friendly game."

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