Midfielder Silvio Spann is the only addition to the 20-man T&T squad that will depart for Martinique today to participate at the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup Finals which kicks off on Friday.
Spann comes in to the team at the expense of Under-20 striker Shahdon Winchester as Russell Latapy has decided to stick with the majority of players who made up the squad that topped the recent Digicel Caribbean Cup group phase where T&T defeated Haiti, Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Latapy conducted a final session yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium minus LA Galaxy defender Yohance Marshall who was scheduled to arrive in Port of Spain last night. Spann, now attached to W Connection after leaving Welsh club Wrexham earlier this year, says he’s ready to cement his place.
He appeared briefly during the 2010 World Cup campaign after being a regular member during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers before missing the Germany Finals because of injury.
“It’s always an honour to play for the national team and it’s basically about getting back in the starting team and cementing a spot. I want to help the team continue from its winning ways and hopefully we can secure the title in Martinique,” Spann said. “Fitness wise I’m getting back to my best and there’s always room for improvement.
The good thing is I'm now at a different stage in my career and I’m more experienced so I know how to control my body a lot better and I can assess game situations better.” Spann said it was important that the senior players like himself lead by example.
“I honestly believe that I can offer a lot more in terms of passing on the experience. Players like myself and Densill Theobald are now considered to be the senior players and we have to carry that responsibility well. It’s also about building positive vibes off the pitch as well,” Spann added.
Coach Latapy expressed confidence in his squad which does not include San Jose Earthquakes striker Cornell Glen who is out through injury and LA Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall who was excused due to club and personal commitments.
“We have to go there with the mindset that we are going to win and that’s what our preparations have been based on. My feeling remains the same. The Caribbean’s top two teams are T&T and Jamaica.
I will like to think that if all goes to form, both teams can top their groups and end up in the final. “My job is to get the best eleven players on the pitch.
In all fairness to the squad that played in the qualifiers, we played some decent football and got three good results, so the players deserve to be part of the squad for the Finals,” Latapy said following yesterday’s session.
T&T faces Cuba in their opening match on Friday and will then meet Grenada and Martinique. The Final is carded for December 5. The top four finishers will qualify for the Concacaf Gold Cup next year while the winners will receive US $120,000.
Squad
Goalkeepers – Jan Michael Williams (W Connection), Marvin Phillip (Joe Public)
Defenders – Kern Cupid (W Connection), Yohance Marshall (LA Galaxy), Julius James (DC United), Daneil Cyrus (Caledonia AIA), Joevin Jones (W Connection), Anthony Wolfe (DirecTV North East Stars).
Midfielders – Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Lester Peltier (Ma Pau), Kevin Molino (Ma Pau), Clyde Leon (W Connection), Trent Noel (Joe Public), Silvio Spann (W Connection), Keon Daniel (Puerto Rico Islanders), Kendall Jagdeosingh (Puerto Rico Islanders), Hughtun Hector (W Connection).
Forwards – Devon Jorsling (Defence Force), Jamal Gay (Unknown), Kerry Baptiste (Joe Public).