FC Dallas edges Foreign All-Stars on penalties.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).[/size]
Major League Soccer club FC Dallas made a desperate comeback against the TT Pro League Foreign All Stars to tie the game at 2-2 in added on time before edging the Pro League players 7-6 on penalties in the first match of the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup on Friday.
The extra time equalizer by second half Argentine substitute Juan Toja gave the Americans confidence in the end for a better finish from the spot at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
Fans had to endure ten kickers from the spot as the ‘even Stevens’ dilemma rolled over and over.
However the TT Pro League Foreign All Stars surely would admit that they had victory in their grasp after a more than creditable performance against the MLS club.
FAS and W Connection striker Jonathon Frias had scored two goals in less than two minutes to give the Stuart Charles Fevrier coached side a 2-0 cushion.
Frias’ first item came when he tapped in a parried Jose Luis Seabra corner beating goalkeeper Ray Burse Jr. in the 8th minute. His second came inside the 10th minute when he netted from inside the area.
Dallas were close on two occasions in the 24th minute but Caledonia AIA goalkeeper Richard Reynolds was alert on both occasions for FAS.
In the 27th minute FCD star Brazilian midfielder Denilson had a go at goal from 25 yards which was high.
FAS had a scare two minutes later when Caledonia AIA defender Sheldon Emmanuel had to clear off the line after Ricardinho’s tame attempt on goal bobbled over goalkeeper Reynolds.
But in the 38th minute Kenny Cooper reduced the deficit comfortably netting against goalkeeper Marvin Phillip when he latched on to Denilson’s pass into the area after the Brazilian twisted his way through three FAS players for a 2-1 score.
Three minutes from the interval FCD Blake Wagner failed to beat goalkeeper Reynolds after collecting a right side cross from Denilson as the scores remained in favor of the Foreign All Stars.
In the second period second half substitute Christian Okonkwo slashed an effort wide of goalkeeper Dan Kennedy’s far post after showing off some of his footwork.
FC Dallas’ Ricardinho was denied by both the fingers and post after he blasted an attempt on goal only to see a finger save by Reynolds divert his shot onto the upright in the 54th minute.
FCD goalscorer Kenny Cooper failed to double his tally hitting overbar from inside the area after meeting a Denilson cross just before the one hour mark.
The Foreign All Stars also had missed chances with second half substitutes Christian Okonkwo and Nigel Codrington missing in the 70th and 80th minutes respectively.
Defender Sheldon Emmanuel also had a 24yard free kick saved by goalkeeper Kennedy in the 84th minute.
FAS were good enough to maintain the advantage over Dallas for ninety minutes after Dominic Oduro having a volley wide of Reynolds goalpost.
But Argentine substitute Juan Toja leveled the scores 2-2 in added on time after brilliant flick to keep the ball in play and a scramble inside the FAS area with goalkeeper Reynolds left beaten outside the six yard area to score and sending the match into penalties.
Penalties
Pro League Foreign All Stars v FC Dallas[/b]
Sheldon Emmanuel (scored) David Wagenfuhr (scored)
Collie Hurcules (scored) Aaron Pitchkolan (scored)
Nigel Codrington (missed) Juan Toja (saved)
Christian Okonwko (saved) Marcelo Saragosa (saved)
Elijah Joseph (scored) Abe Thompson (scored)
Douglas Da Costa (scored) Jamie Watson (scored)
Walter Moore (scored) Dominic Oduro (scored)
Howard Lowe (missed) Scott Jones (saved)
Charles Pollard (scored) Andrew Daniels (scored)
Gerrard Williams (missed) Alex Yi (scored)
Teams
TT Pro League Foreign All Stars:[/b] — Richard Reynolds, Elijah Joseph (capt), Dwight Peters (Christian Okonkwo 46th), Howard Lowe, Christian Viveros (Collie Hercules 73rd), Sheldon Emmanuel, Ronaldo Viana, Jose Luis Seabra (Douglas Da Costa 81st), Jonathon Frias (Nigel Codrington 60th), Charles Pollard, Randolph Jerome (Walter Moore 67th).
Goalscorer—Jonathon Frias 8’, 10’
Coach—Stuart Charles Fevrier
FC Dallas: — Ray Burse Jr. (Dan Kennedy 46th), Bobby Rhine (capt) (Marcelo Saragosa 60th), Denilson (Juan Toja 60th), Drew Moor (Aaron Pitchkolan 46th), Michael Dello-Russo (Alex Yi 46th), Blake Wagner (Scott Jones 46th), Andre Daniels, Chase Wileman (David Wagenfuhr 60th), Kenny Cooper (Abe Thompson 60th), Ricardinho (Dominic Oduro 60th), Martin Pautasso (Jamie Watson 46th).
Goalscorers—Kenny Cooper 38’, Juan Toja 90+’
Coach—Steve Morrow
Pro League All Stars ready for battle against foreign clubs.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).[/size]
Coach Jamaal Shabazz and Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier have decided their final 20-man squads for the TT Pro League Local All Star and TT Pro League Foreign All Star teams respectively.
Both All Star teams will tackle FC Dallas of the Major League Soccer and Clube Atletico Paranaense of the Brazilian Serie A.
Both teams checked into the Cascadia Hotel midday today mere hours before 6 and 8pm match times at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
It is understood that Trinidad and Tobago international and San Juan Jabloteh midfielder Trent Noel will captain the Local All Star team coached by Shabaaz and Elijah Joseph of W Connection will wear the armband for Fevrier’s Foreign All Star.
Speaking with ‘ttproleague.com’ via telephone, Coach Fevrier said that he had a bit of hiccups with his team.
“As coach of the team I think is was very unfortunate that only twenty-two players showed up for training yesterday.”
Fevrier was without Joe Public players Gregory Richardson, goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa, Jabloteh players Peter Byers and Gason Gregory to name a few.
Byers and Gason are on international duty with Antigua.
“But apart from that the squad that I have is really a really enthusiastic bunch and I know that we are going to go out there and give our best,” he said.
“It is a great opportunity for them and they are really happy to be part of this tournament. The players were very supportive; I didn’t have any problems as an opposing coach in the league to some of them because they understand that this is about the TT Pro League.”
The Foreign All Star team will be captained by W Connection’s Elijah Joseph.
Coach Jamaal Shabazz wasn’t reached for comment but manager of the Local All Star, Muhammed Isa spoke on the team’s behalf.
He told ‘ttproleague.com’, “We had two sessions and everything went well with the guys.”
Just as coach Fevrier, Isa experienced problems with the availability of players.
“We weren’t satisfied with the availability of players but we are going to work with what we have.”
Midfielder Kerry Baptiste, defender Seon Power and striker Kendall Jagdeosingh all from Joe Public are someof the players missed by Isa.
But the Police FC Technical Director is confident that his team will have good performances against the MLS and Brazilian clubs.
The Local All Star will take on Clube Atletico Paranaense in the second match from 8pm at the Port of Spain venue and will be captained by Trent Noel of San Juan Jabloteh.
Foreign All Star Squad: — Anthony Abrams, Nigel Codrington, Sheldon Emmanuel, Howard Lowe, Charles Pollard, Walter Moore, Dwight Peters, Richard Reynolds (Caledonia AIA), Christian Okonkwo, Sherwayne Morris, Randolph Jerome (North East Stars), Collie Hercules (Tobago United), Vurlon Mills (United Petrotrin), Douglas Da Costa, Elijah Joseph, Jose Luis Seabra, Ronaldo Viana, Christian Viveros, Jonathan Frias, Gerrad Williams, Joao Mansano (W Connection).
Technical Staff
Stewart Charles-Fevrier (Head Coach)
James McLean (Assistant Coach)
Brian Williams (Assistant Coach)
Raymond McLean (Manager)
Trevor Nottingham (Goalkeeper Coach)
Anthony Walcott (Physiotherapist)
John Jerry (Equipment Manager)
Local All Star Squad: — Cleon John, Ian Gray, Cyd Gray, Trent Noel (Jabloteh), Marvin Phillip, Clyde Leon, Nickcolson Thomas, André Toussaint (W Connection), Keston Williams, Kevon Carter, Richard Roy, Akiel Edwards, Devon Jorsling (Defence Force), Corneal Thomas (Superstar Rangers), Noel Williams, Romauld Aguilera, Keon Daniel (United Petrotrin), Marvin Oliver, Hayden Tinto, Conrad Smith (Caledonia AIA).
Technical Staff
Jamaal Shabazz (Head Coach)
Kerry Jamerson (Assistant Coach)
Anthony Streete (Assistant Coach)
Muhammad Isa (Manager)
Jerry Moe (Trainer)
Dave Isaacs (Physiotherapist)
Michael Williams (Equipment Manager)
Denilson, FC Dallas to treat Trinidadians.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).
Brazilian World Cup and FC Dallas player Denilson assured one thing this weekend, and that is to showcase the world of talent that he is known for in the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup.
Denilson is probably the highest rated player in the two-day tournament put on by the TT Pro League in conjunction with FC Dallas and Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense.
When asked if he was still the type of player as in the 2002 World Cup, Denilson was quick to respond, “I want you to be sure that is what you would be seeing.”
“I’m never conservative of my style of play. We have two games and we are going to do our best, so that when the people come, they would be able to enjoy the football that they see,” said Denilson.
However Denilson is not underestimating his Pro League opponents.
“We know about their (T&T) appearance in the World Cup last year and from my experience knowing what it means to a nation, a team to play in the World Cup which is what happened to Trinidad in itself.”
“I don’t know much about their League in itself, but it is something I am looking forward to this weekend.”
Denilson was certain of one thing through, “I know it’s very hot here,” he smiled.
FCD Head Coach Steve Morrow said, “We’re very much looking forward to the games and most of all to proving that American soccer is very advanced. We respect the challenge to be invited and we have brought down a very strong team with a lot of talent.”
But Morrow isn’t over confident, “I think the games would be very competitive seeing that there is also a lot of talent here in Trinidad and that comes to the third reason why we are here. We are also here to have a look at the local talent down here as well,” said the Dallas coach who is currently in off-season and also scouting talent.
“There are a lot of Trinidadians doing particularly well in the world, like in England, Kenwayne Jones with Sunderland and Stern John with Southamthon to name two.”
“We know that there is a lot of talent here and we are hoping to steal some away and take them to Major League Soccer.”
FC Dallas faces the TT Pro League Foreign All Star team from 6pm on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
“We would like to thank Trinidad for the hospitality here. We’re pleased and delighted for a few reasons, firstly and most important to pay tribute to Shaka Hislop. We were lucky to have Shaka at FC Dallas for two years before the end of his great career.”
In support of local kids, FC Dallas bought two hundred and fifty tickets for Sunday’s matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium which would be distributed to kids of two football clinics and selected orphanages.
