Jamaican-Based Dynamic Duo Chase Glory For T&T
Trinidad & Tobago bring in attacking midfielders for CONMEBOL Copa America play-off against Canada
Kaile Auvray and Nathaniel “Natty” James, the midfield maestros at Jamaica Premier League club Mount Pleasant FC, have been selected for a tough task with relative minnows Trinidad & Tobago.
The attacking pair have been drafted in for the CONMEBOL Copa America play-off against Canada at the Toyota Stadium in Dallas next Saturday (23 March).
Trinidad & Tobago’s head coach Angus Eve, who last month blooded youngsters in back-to-back unofficial friendlies against Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, has primarily selected players from the twin islands with the focus on defending well.
French-born whizzy winger Auvray and teenage sensation James, who made his international debut for the Soca Warriors in a friendly last year against Jamaica, will be relied on for their attacking prowess when they lock horns with Canada.
Eve has just two recognised strikers for the clash, both who ply their trade overseas, with Canada-born forward Malcolm Shaw currently without a club. The onus for goals will be on injury-prone Levi Garcia (AEK Athens, Greece) and Reon Moore (Pacific FC, Canada) against Canada, who are FIFA-ranked no.50 to lie a whopping 46 places higher than Trinidad & Tobago.
Some notable players, all members of the Soca Warriors’ Gold Cup contingent, have been overlooked for the crucial clash by Eve.
These include Leland Archer (Charleston Battery, USA), Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren, Belgium), Aubrey David (Alajuelense, Costa Rica), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim, Norway), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots, USA), Tristan Hodge (Hartford Athletic, USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United, USA), Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew, USA), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers, Canada) and Ryan Telfer (Miami FC, USA).
The winner of this one-off match will make a debut appearance at the Copa America tournament. Either Canada or the Soca Warriors will join Group A to tackle world champions Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, mighty Mexico, Panama and the United States are the other CONCACAF nations that will contest the Copa America tournament, which kicks off on 21 June.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SQUAD
Goalkeepers | Christopher Biggette (Defence Force FC, T&T), Adrian Foncette (Police FC, T&T), Denzil Smith (Club Sando FC, T&T)
Defenders | Aubrey David (CS Cartagines, Costa Rica), Justin Garcia (Defence Force FC, T&T), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots, USA), Alvin Jones (Police FC, T&T), Noah Powder (Northern Colorado Hailstorm, USA), Robert Primus (Police FC, T&T), Andre Raymond (GD Vilar De Perdizes, Portugal), Ross Russell Jr. (La Horquetta Rangers, T&T), Jesse Williams (Chattanooga FC, USA), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC, USA)
Midfielders | Kaïlé Auvray (Mount Pleasant FC, T&T), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United, USA), Judah Garcia (AEK Athens B, Greece), Real Gill (Northern Colorado Hailstorm, USA), Kevon Goddard (Defence Force FC, T&T), Nathaniel James (Mount Pleasant FC, Jamaica), Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone FC, Scotland), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers, Canada)
Strikers | Levi Garcia (AEK Athens, Greece), Reon Moore (Pacific FC, Canada)
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