Odds stacked against T&T Clubs.
Both Trinidad and Tobago Professional League clubs W Connection and Central FC were hit with a jaw dropping fixture when the CCL fixtures came out today revealing that both teams will play it's first two games away from home.
The 2015-16 Concacaf Champion League (CCL) opener will see newly crown Pro League Champions Central FC come up against one of MLS most celebrated teams LA Galaxy on August 6th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California from 7pm.
As we all know LA Galaxy are packed with many top players, however, all eyes will certainly be on none other than former Liverpool FC and English legend midfielder Steven Gerrard. While Brazilian Juninho as well as the Republic of Ireland attacker and captain Robbie Keane are also a sight for sore eyes.
As for Central FC, they are currently in the market for a new manager after current head coach Terry Fenwick walked out on the club last week when negotiations broke down between both parties that failed to agree personal terms. Fenwick told wired868 that: "The club is in no shape or form ready for a CONCACAF draw against Galaxy.”
"There is no understanding at what goes into making a successful team at board level,” he said, “and I am not prepared to continue with no staff and no players while we get closer to what is a huge game for Trinidad and Tobago football (against LA Galaxy)."
Fenwick's predecessors Serbian-born and current national under 23 men's team head coach Zoran Vranes and former North East Stars coach and T&T player Angus Eve, who were Fenwick understudy at San Juan Jabloteh are shortlisted as Fenwick replacements.
Operations Director for Central FC Kevin Harrison told the SWO: "I think the fixtures work in our favour. Both teams will have to come to T&T when we will have been in training for 10 weeks. I also imagine that we would have played several Pro League games by that time."
"As long as we can give decent performances away from home to keep us in contention, both home games will be exciting as the 9 hours flight from LA, coupled with the fact that they are at the end of a long season will be big advantages for Central."
"Galaxy have had good home form this season, but haven't won away all season, having drawn two and lost three."
If we can fill Hasley Crawford Stadium, I'm sure that we can create an unsettling atmosphere for them."
"We have some very good players and each one will know that this is their big chance in the shopping window with a TV audience of millions. "
"The CONCACAF Champions League is evolving nicely and gets bigger each year. I sincerely hope that we can get two T&T clubs out of the group stages, but we know it will be tough, ended Harrison."
Meanwhile, the other T&T club will also be in action, but a day earlier as the 2014-15 Pro League runners-up W Connection are set to do battle with Mexican giants Santos Laguna on August 5th at the Estadio Corona
Torreón, Coahuila in Mexico.
Santos Laguna are no strangers to the CCL and despite never being crowned Champions they were runners-up in both 2011–12, 2012–13 only to have fallen to fellow comrades C.F. Monterrey in the finals both times. Some of their biggest victories came in 2012 when they destroyed MLS teams Seattle Sounders FC (7-3) in the quarterfinals and Toronto FC by the same scoreline in a semifinals match-up.
Central FC will be making its maiden entry into the league while W Connection will be on it's fourth. The winner will qualify as the CONCACAF representative at the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup. América are the defending champions.
A complete television schedule for these games will be announced at a later date.
Full Fixtures for T&T Clubs.
AUGUST
August 5th, Santos (MEX) vs W Connection
August 6th, LA Galaxy (USA) vs Central F.C.
August 20th, Saprissa (CRC) vs W Connection
August 27th, Comunicaciones (GUA) vs Central F.C.
SEPTEMBER
Sept 16th, W Connection vs Saprissa (CRC)
Sept 17th, Central F.C. vs Comunicaciones (GUA)
Sept 22nd, W Connection vs Santos (MEX)
Sept 23rd, Central F.C. vs LA Galaxy (USA), 5pm
Copyrights of the Soca Warriors Online - Any press using the following article written by Inshan Mohammed are welcome to do so providing they reveal the source and writer. Furthermore, no portion of this article may be copied without proper credit as well.