Guardian.co.tt
National players in training recently at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya.
Soca Warriors coach Russell Latapy has named uncapped bmobile Joe Public defender, Carlyle Mitchell in a 20-man squad for Wednesday’s friendly international against Jamaica at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya from 6 pm. Mitchell, has been knocking on the selection door for quite a while and was among the goals for his club in a 4-2 win over Costa Rica’s Brujas to seal a group stage spot in the Concacaf Champions League at Macoya on Thursday night.
Also in the squad which was named yesterday are the Puerto Rico Islanders duo of Kendall Jagdeosingh and Keon Daniel who were part of their club’s two-leg win over MLS club LA Galaxy in another Concacaf Champions League preliminary round series on Wednesday night. However, San Jose Earthquakes striker Cornell Glen will not be available for the match because of last minute overseas commitments. Glen, who was invited for the encounter last week, has indicated his willingness to accept further invitations for upcoming international friendlies once called up again.
The team will also be without midfielders Densill Theobald and Clyde Leon through injury while most of the players who were involved in a 4–1 win over Antigua & Barbuda last month complete the team. They include Joe Public’s Kerry Baptiste, Trent Noel, Makan Hislop, Marvin Phillip and Hayden Tinto; Defence Force quartet, Devon Jorsling, Kevon Carter, Keston Williams and Aklie Edwards and W Connection’s Hughton Hector, Jan-Michael Williams, Shahdon Winchester, Kern Cupid and Matthew Bartholomew. The Jamaicans, who also face Costa Rica in another friendly later this month and like T&T are preparing for the Digicel Caribbean Cup, will arrive this afternoon and will train once tomorrow ahead of the match.
The Theodore Whitmore coached ‘Reggae Boyz” squad is expected to include five overseas-based players in New York Red Bulls’ Dane Richards, San Jose Earthquakes’ Ryan Johnson, Rodolph Austin of Norwegian Premier League side SK Brann and Eric Vernan, currently on loan to Nybergsund IL, in Norway and LA Galaxy goalkeeper Donovon Ricketts. Both Latapy and Whitmore are widely regarded as two of the most decorated and recognised players to represent their respective countries and will be coming head to head for the first time since taking over the positions of coach of respective national teams. However, for Latapy, it is just another key element of what promises to be another intriguing clash between the region’s top two teams.
“Like I said before, we haven’t seen Jamaica in a while and I wanted to see where they are at the moment and I’m pretty sure they will be hoping to do the same. It’s going to give us another idea of where we are at right now in preparations for the Digicel Cup,” Latapy said. Two hours earlier on Wednesday, T&T Under-17 Soca Princesses will face their senior team-mates in a practice match as they continue preparations for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup here in T&T from September 5 to 25. Host T&T will meet Chile in the opening match. Tickets for Wednesday’s match is $40 for adults and $20 for kids and will be available match day at the venue.
team
Goalkeepers: Marvin Philip (Joe Public), Jan Michael Williams (W Connection).
Defenders: Makan Hislop (Joe Public), Keston Williams (Defence Force), Aklie Edwards (Defence Force), Kern Cupid (W Connection), Carlyle Mitchell (Joe Public).
Midfielders: Kendall Jagdeosingh (Puerto Rico Islanders), Hughton Hector (W Connection), Kevon Carter (Defence Force), Hayden Tinto (Joe Public), Keon Daniel (Puerto Rico Islanders), Devon Jamerson (Ma Pau), Trent Noel (Joe Public), Ataulla Guerra (Jabloteh).
Forwards: Matthew Bartholomew (W Connection), Shahdon Winchester (W Connection), Jason Marcano (Jabloteh), Kerry Baptiste (Joe Public), Devon Jorsling (Defence Force).
