Messages

481

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 09, 2015, 04:37:58 PM »

Its obvious that some of us don't like the truth, so much so that they want to know if I have a Phd. Why this is relevant to determine whether I can determine we don't have standards is yet to be stated. However, I am happy to see others like Coache getting to the heart of the matter while others pick out issues about foreign players which was not the point. I referenced foreign players relative to the Naps and Pres comments preferences as an equivalent to an international standard.

Those who don't agree with me, please tell me what our Football standards are for:

1. Coaching-minimum requirements for education, playing and experience
2. Team Manageer-minimum requirements education and experience
3. Physio-education and football specific training program sample for 12 month inclusive of recovery
4. Nutritionist - education,training and provision of sample nutritional annual program for players

What exactly are the qualification/standards required at TTFA:

1. President
2. General Secretary
3. What are requirements for JOMA, our kit sponsor?
4. What is the TTFA 20 year development plan?
5. What is the Ministry of SPort Development Plan
6. Do we have a TTFA formation that all youth teams play? Most Federations play 4-3-3.


Since its not my desire to insult anyone on this forum, I ask for specifics on the items above. As passionate advocates for football we have to be able to answer these questions and many more. If we can't then we don't have and don't know our standards. It might be painful to accept but the Women's coach showed what could be accomplished with standards regardless of TTFA support.

So let's be laser focused on talking about our STANDARDS, no distractions. SO WHAT ARE OUR FOOTBALL STANDARDS?

482

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 09, 2015, 07:32:32 AM »

I as do most want to see our teams at all levels compete and be successful. However, we ALL know the dysfunctional conditions at the TTFA and Ministry of Sports; the TTFA will not disclose its financials while the Ministry spent 200 million on LifeSPort. Sadly, in the backdrop of the poorest country in the Caribbean(Haiti) players having to provide support to the wealthiest country in the Caribbean(TnT) womens' football team we must send young Warriors to play U20 and U17 World Cup Qualifiers. The results speak not to just to TTFA, Ministry of Sports, the coaches but also to ALL of us. Whether we live in Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, USA, England, Germany or Mars we ALL have failed the 20 young men in Honduras. Part of our failure began when we became tribal, saying no foreign based players, only wanting players from Naps or Pres or W Connection. I give credit to the coaching staff for selecting foreign based players; I think we can all agree they brought quality and leadership to the squad.

The RESULTS in HONDURAS of our youth is our FAILURE to prepare them. We accept Jack Warner, we accept Tim Kee, we accept the coaching(good or bad), we accept that just a month ago 400,000 was passed in a car park, we accept TTFA not releasing financials, we accepted Minister two pull. Then we with no standards at all, expect our YOUTH to play at a high standard and bring national glory.

Our youth in HONDURAS were the WARRIORS, they were PATRIOTIC. They know better than most that they were not well prepared, they know better than us about the coaching BUT they agreed to go fight, train and do their best. When will the adults be PATRIOTIC, when will the adults be WARRIORS and show some standards of behavior and stop blaming everybody.

If we want change, we have to be the change.

I said it before, the boys of TnT  born in 1998 and 1999 have the potential to qualify for World Cups, the question is will the adults create an environment for them to succeed. Time will soon tell whether we waste another generation.

483

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 08, 2015, 05:05:10 PM »

Two goals in 4 matches; (1) from left wing back and (1) from right wing back.

484

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 08, 2015, 03:11:16 PM »

Anybody have a link?

485

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 06, 2015, 07:05:32 AM »

Just another day in TnT football against better teams in CONCACAF. From the youth level to the senior level we continue to see bad results. Beating Caribbean opposition is NOT progress simply because the Caribbean region is behind Central America

You are correct the Caribbean region is behind Latin and Central America, however is the path to progress being unsuccessful against other Caribbean teams?

Capturing maximum points(very ambitious maybe fantasy) over the next two games would show some progress for a us as we qualified last for this tournament based on goal difference.

We can only go up from here

486

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 05, 2015, 09:36:14 PM »

They fought hard creating some good chances.  With better preparation these boys have something to offer, it looks like the tournament is over for them but we need to salvage some points against Jamaica and Cuba. The boys deserve that for the way they have fought.

487

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 05, 2015, 08:21:15 PM »

Anybody have a link for this match?

488

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 05, 2015, 09:34:05 AM »

Tonight is a defining moment for the Warriors, they will make us proud tonight with a victory. Only positivity. I believe we WILL WIN!

489

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 03, 2015, 03:26:42 PM »

Sorry! Much Respect!Mad Scorpion for accepting the change in tone. So much warrior and lion talk ah get confuse.

490

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 03, 2015, 03:25:20 PM »

Much Respect Mad Lion!

All yuh the post below is not mine, Ah copy it from wired868 because I believe is a relative of the U17 captain, Noah Powder post it. It makes sense and encouraging but falls back on us to prepare the youths better.


"We saw the potential of this team last night, the boys controlled much of the match having early chances to take the lead. What is MOST evident after last night is that TTFA, Ministry of Sport, parents and players have to develop a system, process and plan to achieve our goals because we are failing our youth. Last night I watched a group of our young Warriors compete strongly with the USA, our Warriors had 2 International Friendlies with Panama and 1 against a Panamanian U20 Club . Of the USA players 16 have lived in residency at Bradenton, FL training twice per day for over a year and a half, they played the following international matches:

January 20 2014 vs. France                         January 21 2014 vs. Norway
January 23 2014 vs. Scotland                      January 25 2014 vs. Turkey
August 2 2014 vs. China                             August 3 2014 vs. Mexico
August 4 2014 vs. Paraguay                        August 6 2014 vs. Turkey
August 8 2014 vs. Ecuador                          August 10 2014 vs. Brazil
November 28 2014 vs. England                    November 30 2014 vs. Australia
December 2 2014 vs. Brazil                         February 2 2015 vs. Panama
February 4 2015 vs. Panama                        February 20 2015 vs Bermuda
February 22 2015 vs. Bermuda

Imagine what is possible if we get our act together, we have the talent, we have the intellect we need the resources, believe and commitment. The USA live and play together for 18 months, they play 17 international matches but we fight them to the end. We can’t afford to waste this generation of boys nor the next. No more excuses, lets find the path to solutions."

491

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 03, 2015, 11:41:46 AM »

All I can say is wow!  In that game against Guatemala the 2nd and 4th goals are very revealing.  That Keeper not ready at all.  Is one thing to misshandle ah ball and it score, is an entirely different thing to not even touch a ball coming from that distance.  Then that dotish ass run out!  He feel he name Neuer?!  Wha de ass is this?  I only see highlights but I doh feel like that team was so strong to beat we so at all.  That red was rell rell bullshit!

Mad Scorpion

Is not that yuh wrong but please be gentle nah, is one of our youths. He need proper coaching and training.  Last night he was much better, though he was poorly positioned for the free kick. He stood too much behind his own wall leaving the left side of the goal open for the US player to pass the ball into the back of the net. We have given up 6 goals this tournament and 5 or them could have been avoided with stronger defensive play, specifically goal keeping. That said we have to work with the youth, to develop him.

492

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 03, 2015, 05:46:11 AM »

Cuba draw with Honduras leaving us at bottom of the group with no points.

493

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: March 02, 2015, 07:20:29 PM »

Not the result we would of wanted but certainly improvement defensively against a much better team than Quatemala(Jamaica beat Guatemala 2-1). Our keeper look much more confident and the back 4 really kept it tighter.  Three games to go, we can still finish with 9 points and have a chance for play off spot, its not looking good especially with -5 goal difference but we have to push. This is all in preparation for U20 as its the first international tournament this group has played.

We need a little more composure to play out the back and through the midfield to show the promise that is in this team. We would expect Honduras to beat Cuba tonight, with Honduras next on Thursday a victory is a must or we will be home early.

Projected Standings  w/Honduras Victory

USA            6
Honduras     6
Guatemala   3
Jamaica       3
TnT             0
Cuba           0

494

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 28, 2015, 12:13:37 PM »

Nah man that red was hard. The kid did not stamp the player in the chest purposely. The ball bounced high and he swung high the Guatemalan player rushed in after our player swung. The ball was up the field before the ref blew the whistle. The ref did not blow until the acting from the Guatemalan player. You realize when the physio came on the field they was rubbing an ice pack on his leg and ankle. We were terrible, but that red was a harsh decision.

Red card is total rubbish, maybe not even a foul as the Guatemala player miscontrol and is free ball.

495

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 28, 2015, 12:10:24 PM »

Sam

Levi Garcia turns 18 November 20th, this a U17 tournamant. What yuh want?

I agree the keeper make me cry, but look at all our keepers on U15, U17 and U20 is a systematic problem. So many keeper mistakes on U20 in Jamaica, so is part the players but mainly us for not preparing them. Ah cant believe 10 year old boys dreaming to be Shaka, Cech, Iker, Buffon, Loiris or Manuel Neuer. Everybody want to be Yorke, Latapy, Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho, Xavi, or Yaya .etc so the best athletes usually at a young age don't end up in the goal mouth.

I don't know the keeper but lets remember is somebody son, a youth we have to be positive and supportive. Don't destroy him like dat.

496

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 28, 2015, 07:23:06 AM »

Not the start we needed, have to put this one behind us as a big game next. A quick recap:

1. Referee was ridiculous to give a straight red card or even a foul on to our defender.
2. We were reasonably organized but shocking players by defense and keeper.

I am still positive on this group because we can see they have ability, however defense and goal keeper have to improve.

This is not an attack on this keeper but after watching the U20 in Jamaica and some of those keeper errors. Its obvious, we need to improve everywhere but especially in keeper training and preparation. I don't know if our keepers are short, tall, slim, overweight, tactically unaware but since they are young these errors have to improve. The keeper trainer/coach need to put some work in to prepare for the next game.

Furthermore, nationally we have to recognize its too important a position to not provide some specialized, focused and exclusive time for keepers. Bring in some quality coaches, maybe Shaka can come work with these boys mentally to help them to play at the higher level.

Let's get ready for the USA, we are not out of the tournament. GO Warriors

497

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 20, 2015, 06:48:32 AM »

Oh GAWD is scared girls on this forum or what? The facts are:

1. The boys lost 4-0 on Monday
2. The coach made some adjusts in training which yield a 0-0 halftime score with our boys playing some excellent football.
3. Then we get 1st red card down to 10 men.
4. Then we get 2nd red card down to 9 men.
5. We lose 5-0, playing with 9 men and giving up two penalty.

If you just looking at 9 goals in two games then you need to look a little deeper. I am an Arsenal fan, I cant remember but somebody give us 8 or 6 last year but we fight on.

Again, we have an excellent crop of boys here but emotionally and tactically they need to develop as a group. The truth is playing against Pro League team and Howard prospects is not good preparation but that was the funding available. They are now learning what it takes to win in Honduras, I expect better results in the next practice matches as they are now coming together.

Support the boys, this is SocaWarriors forum. Its for warriors not complainers, nor whiners. Be a DAMN WARRIOR.

498

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 18, 2015, 06:55:21 PM »

9-0 in two games vs. Panama? Worsened by 2 red cards in a friendly warm up came.  Lawd. This is a wake up call, I watched the videos on somoslasele.com/videos/la-sele/ too much walking and not enough HUNGER! Panama was moving at least three gears faster than us, we going to have to understand this pace of play at this level.

499

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 18, 2015, 05:41:03 PM »

The news I am receiving is we lost 5-0 today to the Panamanians, haven't seen any video yet so not sure how to comment on the result.

500

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 18, 2015, 03:07:40 PM »

Our boys playing Panama U17 again, looking for an improved result today. Watching the video its evident that these games will help the boys tremendously. The first goal scored with 5 TnT players and the goalie closer to the ball than the one Panamanian. The second goal with 5 TnT players defending 3 Panamanians, unfortunately our center backs were two far apart, not sure who is/was wing back covering. In a 4-3-3 the midfielders must push the play wide and back, this did not happen. The boys allowed Panama to enter danger area too easily.

As I said before our boys are technically and physically equal; our success will be determined by emotional/psychological maturity and tactical awareness. Panama is a good team with a good becoming very good Federation so this is the type of challenge we needed now. By starting with tough competition then probably playing lesser clubs to rebuild confidence, I think the TTFA is moving in the right direction to prepare the boys considering the failure to do it earlier.

Lets wait and see the results.

501

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 15, 2015, 11:53:03 AM »

Coache and Madness

The boys leaving today for Panama , lets stay positive and encourage them ALL. I have a Jamaican friend who's son playing on their U17 and he telling me its the same local vs. foreign born non sense on reggaeboyz forum.  With some talking but Cavalier and others about Cornwall...the British have premier league and they leave us fighting over secondary school football. Ask Jamaicans what would have happen if Sturridge and Sterling decide to play for Jamaica, all the foreign talk DONE!

We have to stand for excellence wherever it comes from, past records of predominately local players show that you need to mix. If America bringing German based, Mexican based, British based and local USA players how the hell we could compete with a small sample of 1.5 million people; not to mention one of FIFA WORST FA, weak Pro League and best talent playing secondary school football.

This foreign vs. local thing is throughout the Caribbean it even exists in the US national team when Klinsman bring in players and drop Donovan. Frankly, Trinidad and Jamaica too small to have that internal problem, we must stand for excellence. Let's remember a predominately LOCAL team went to Haiti and had to squeeze in the back door to qualify, how can you take that same team to a higher level tournament. Kudos to the Coaches for recognizing the need to upgrade technically, physically and emotionally.

For us on forums and with kids we have to STOP this NAPS, Pres, local vs. foreign stupidity. If you don't even know what formation the the coach playing how yuh talking? If you don't know if a player is selected because he can play wing back, center half and holding midfield in case of injury what yuh talking?  Some don't even know if the player left footed, right footed or good with both feet; so what yuh taking?

My point is wi on the forum need to get educated about what we talking or is just rum shop talk online.

The team selected is the best possible of available players, lets ALL get behind the boys so we can finish in TOP 3. Either win the group or get into one of play off spots.

502

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: February 09, 2015, 03:44:59 PM »

Well we are 17 days from the opening match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras vs. Guatamela. I understand they are heading to Panama for warm up matches, which seems like a very good idea as Panama has really developed football in the last 10 years. I believe the boys are a talented bunch, as prepared as possible based on finances now they need to bond as a team and develop the BELIEVE.

503

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: January 21, 2015, 07:16:06 PM »

Can we learn from the U20's Experience?

The U20 team is technically and athletically equal or better to most of the teams they played. However, tactically, emotionally and mentally they were far behind. Look at the games:

Jamaica to kill off the game dropped points 2
Guatemala 2 defensive errors 1 defender 1 keeper, no goals from run of play-- possible dropped points 1
Panama best team in group(playing with 9 men) ridiculous goalie error possible dropped points minimum 1

We could have entered the game with 8 points and played for a draw but the mental, emotional and tactical mistakes that included disqualifying two players put us in a must win situation. Its over for the U20's but the U17's head to San Pedro Sula, Honduras in one month.

I hope, pray, and wish that the coaching staff and players learn from this experience. The coaches must focus on positive motivation, mentally focused preparation and emotional control for the boys. A small nation of 1.5 million challenged a country of 300 million and what separated us was the consciousness and confidence of the coaches to be infused into the players. Its time we learn that negative psychological motivation does not work..it never worked telling a child he guh be a dunce to encourage him to study. This is much of what the foreign coaches bring ..read the comments about Benneker(not at tactician) only that he was a great motivator but HOW?

I support local coaches but we need local coaches to emotionally and mentally grow up and realize that its all about confidence and believe after a certain physical and technical point.  A national coach cant make his team physically fit, the players must come fit, if they don't you cant select them because it reflects their discipline. A national coach has players from all over so he must be SOLID with his system of play, tactics, and method of motivation. What is the best way to install your views in your team in a short period of time? Once we do some serious work to answer that we will get the results we deserve but we have to do the work.

Its our consciousness, Stupid!

Lastly, it would have been nice to have Shaq Moore playing right wing back for us instead of the US, his father(Wendell Moore) brought him at a young age to TNT and was discourage by what some say was an anti-foreign based player mentality focused on running the boys for 1 1/2 hours without touching the ball.  I hope the U17's don't make the same mistake because I hear a large crop from USA, Canada and Europe have expressed interest and traveled for trials.

Its over for U20's but lets get behind the U17, at least one age group can qualify for a World Cup this year.

504

Football / Re: 2015 Under-20 FIFA World Cup Thread.

« on: January 21, 2015, 06:57:33 PM »

The team is technically good and athletically equal or better to most the teams they played. However, tactically, emotionally and mentally they were far behind. Look at the games:

Jamaica to kill off the game dropped points 2
Guatemala 2 defensive errors 1 defender 1 keeper, no goals from run of play-- possible dropped points 1
Panama best team in group goalie ridiculous error possible dropped points minimum 1

We could have entered the game with 8 points and played for a draw but the mental, emotional and tactical mistakes that included disqualifying two players but us in a must win situation. Its over for the U20's but the U17's head to San Pedro Sula, Honduras in one month.

I hope, pray, and wish that the coaching staff and players learn from this experience. The coaches must focus on positive motivation, mentally focused preparation and emotional control for the boys. A small nation of 1.5 million challenged a country of 300 million and what separated us was the consciousness and confidence of the coaches to be infused into the players. Its time we learn that negative psychological motivation does not work..it never worked telling a child he go be a dunce to encourage him to study. Sadly, this is much of what the foreign coaches bring ..read the comments about Benneker(not at tactician) only that he was a great motivator but HOW?

I support local coaches but we need local coaches to emotionally and mentally grow up and realize that its all about confidence and believe after a certain point. What is the best way to install that in your team? Once we do some serious work to answer that we will get the results we deserve but we have to do the work.

Its our consciousness, Stupid!

Lastly, it would have been nice to have Shaq Moore playing right wing back for us instead of the US, his father(Wendell Moore) brought him at a young age and was discourage by what some say was an anti-foreign based player mentality.  I hope the U17's don't make the same mistake because I hear a large crop from USA, Canada and Europe have expressed interest and traveled for trials.

505

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: December 28, 2014, 04:19:19 PM »

Elan

You are 1000% correct. The need for simulating the intensity is even greater when you consider that funding challenges may limit international match opportunities. Unfortunately, as I observe our football at the younger ages it does not appear that the coaches understand that this is a mental game. I here Coach Hart talk about mental toughness of players yet our preparation is not targeted at technical, tactical and emotional development; we still running the boys.

We have the talent, locally and internationally BUT we must change our approach to develop that talent. The coaches have to believe its mental, our coaches still using negative reinforcement with 16 year old boys. The sad part is that the i, youtube,  UEFA and FIFA websites  have free information on training and  that any coach can use to develop their craft but the effort appears to be lacking.

506

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: December 28, 2014, 12:47:12 PM »

ANC2 I apologize it was a typo, obviously I would not judge based on one practice as it could of been fitness. I attended 5 sessions in total, each session if I was not clear had 1 1/2 hours of fitness. I agree that fitness is required but St. Lucia and Haiti ran pass us after good one/two touch passing once they has a 1v1 then they beat us. Secondly, they were able to run primarily up the middle due to poor tactical awareness, poor positioning and extremely poor tackling technique.  The coaches need to work on this , most of the midfileders dive in and get beat in vs. Haiti and St. Lucia forcing the next player to commit thereby weakening the formation. 

Your comment supports my point, that team speed comes with good technique and ball movement. Look at the best midfielders in the world, outright speed they do not have but technique and quick decision making coupled with good positioning allows them to play fast.  The field players do not lack speed, so the coaches need to focus elsewhere. I suspect that they done know how to teach the other components so they focus on speed. On each 5 days, even during the scrimmage sessions the coaches don't stop and correct or stop and teach. I never watch a training session in my life where a quality coach doesn't talk to his players.

507

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: December 28, 2014, 10:34:04 AM »

I went to Ato Bolden Stadium to watch the preparation of the boys for Honduras, based on what I see we are in big trouble. The coaches running the boys like horses, nothing technical and nothing tactical. In a three hour session, half of the time is used for fitness and strength in December for a February tournament. This doesn't make sense especially when you have new players many of them foreign to evaluate; you need to determine their technical ability to assess the tactical  of current, new and past players but all I see is running and running.

It's like these coaches forget the results in Haiti, I hope they are not naive enough to think player speed and strength will help us qualify for the World Cup. The speed of play comes with good technical ability to move the ball. One man running fast with the ball will not work, team speed is the team's ability to move the ball fast with good one touch or two touch passing. I fear that these coaches either dont know or dont understand.  I always want to support local coaches but we need better coaches for this U17 team regardless of where the coaches from.

If you have time go to Ato Bolden Stadium on Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm or Saturday and Sunday 9-12 to witness the absolute madness.

508

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: October 26, 2014, 08:54:19 PM »

Viva Ayiti

509

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: October 25, 2014, 12:08:15 PM »

I am thrilled that we got 3rd place, I know its not the option we hoped but we are in. I want to make a comment to Deeks because he said we make a good attempt to attract foreign players. I disagree with this, I will compare our attempts to Klinsmann who not only has challenged US Soccer Federation but also challenged MLS Commissioner Garber by dropping Donavan and bringing 3 USA/Germans to the club, albeit German black boys which pisses Americans off even more. But Klinsmann has been willing to challenge the Federation that employs him as well as tell MLS that they are not helping. I point this out because I wonder if our coaches have the same courage, even though they don't have Klinsmann stature in global football.

If MLS is a better league than our Pro league, then why wouldn't we want to attract our own within MLS Academy systems? By attracting the foreign based players we will actually improve the local talent because the standard will improve for us as a nation. The failure to bring in foreign players is a huge mistake being consistently made by local coaches.

I made an observation that I think we all need to consider when looking at the U17 team, it seem to be dominated by W Connection players. I am not accusing anyone of favoritism but other than Barcelona most clubs at any level do not field a high percentage of national team players. Look at the data:

The U 17 Team that went to St. Lucia had the following number of players from the respective Club:

W Connection           9
St. Ann's Rangers   4
San Juan Jabloteh   5

The U 17 Team that went to Haiti had the following number of players from the respective Club:

W Connection           8
St. Ann's Rangers   3
San Juan Jabloteh   3


My Haiti numbers need help because the Federation changed naming Clubs to secondary schools because of complaints of bias to certain clubs and schools. I don't know enough about the background of the coaches, manager and selectors to say that bias exists but I think the question needs to be answered by some of you on this forum that know better than I.

Please tell me whether you think part of the selection problem is that someone or a group of people have too much influence on the FINAL decision. Klinsmann can tell them to go to HELL but maybe Cooper cant.

510

Football / Re: 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship Thread.

« on: October 24, 2014, 01:41:24 PM »

The selection process is one of the root causes of the problem, how can you go to Haiti with 3 players born in 1999 and 2 players born in 2000 while everyone else is playing boys born in 1998. One year makes a huge difference at this age. I agree some boys physically develop early but for international tournaments you need maturity, tactical awareness and proper technical development. Cooper changed 4 players from the team that won the group in St. Lucia, that may have had an impact but I don't know.  Furthermore, Cooper (TTFA) had access to at least 3 USA/Trinidad and Tobago players that could have played holding midfield or along the back four but opted to not select players that are currently in the starting 11 on MLS Academy rosters. Coincendently, another 2 players one a forward and another a midfielder are also eligible for TNT and are part of the United States Soccer Development Academy system.  Last point on selection, not one player from Tobago. A highly talented Tobago midfield player was in Trinidad during trials but was sent home before final selection after being told that he will not be part of the team. Is it a wonder that we produced nothing in the midfield. Let me clear, I am not saying that any of those USA/ Trinidad and Tobago or Tobago players are better than those selected but I am saying the TTFA and coaching staff should give them a serious evaluation considering the gaps in the current team. One thing we all have to respect that its kids we talking about and we do not want to tear down any of the current players, we are asking the coaches and TTFA to do a better job of screening and selection.

The sad part of the TTFA's ability to recruit the foreign talent is that its damn easy. The US Development Academy has a website with all their games nationally, they have a Winter Showcase in Florida every year at the end of November, they hold a Adidas Next Generation Tournament with all dates and locations on website. The irony is that Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador and other coaches are at all these tournaments trying to lure players to play for the land of their parents while TnT is rejecting these players. Mexico just lured the US under 17 starting wing back, where he has changed the country he is representing.

Another major problem is the lack of adequate preparation due to the funding by SportTT and TTFA; this is a larger problem that can't be addressed here. I am confident that the coaches have not been paid, that uniforms were late to arrive and hotels/meals confirmed very late. The size of this problem can not be understated, it is disgraceful that the wealthiest country in the Caribbean cant support its men and women athletes.

If Martinque and Quadeloupe provide a miracle, this MUST be a time for TTFA to look at the coaching, team selection process and financing before forming a team to send to Honduras in Febraury.