Strike Squad vs USA — De re-match
By: WALTER ALIBEY (T&T Newsday)
Sunday, November 19 2006
THERE is no place at the World Cup South Africa 2010 at stake, but the Trinidad and Tobago “Strike Squad” and Team USA will have something to prove to each other when they re-live their vital 1989 World Cup qualifying clash at the same venue, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, from 5 pm today.
It was 17 years ago when the US with a Paul Caligiuri goal, a shot which flew past goalkeeper Michael Maurice which turned out to be the only goal of the match.
And the 1-0 victory earned Team USA a place in World Cup Italia ’90 and turned the infamous “Sea of Red” into a “River of Tears.”
President George Maxwell Richards, US Ambassador Roy Austin and Ashwin Creed, representing Sports Minister Roger Boynes, have been invited to present medals to the national 1966, 1973 and the “Strike Squad,” and a commemorative plaque to Team USA.
Captain Clayton Morris and his men have been keeping in trim, travelling throughout the twin-island republic playing a series of friendly matches.
Most of the players, some of whom have turned to coaching, will sport the red, white and black of the “Strike Squad” today.
Rugged rasta hair-styled defender Brian Williams is now coach of the national Under-20 squad, while Floyd “Ninja” Lawrence is at the helm of Alutrint La Brea All Stars, while the energetic Marvin Faustin is coach of his own academy but seem capable to securing a place on the present Soca Warriors team.
United States striker Paul Caligiuri touched down on local soil on Thursday night and had a motivational session with students of St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain, the next day at noon.
But although admitting that he would have liked to have most of his teammates back for the match, he said it is difficult to keep all the players together. After a practice session at the stadium yesterday, he told Newsday it is a unique situation to come back to face the “Strike Squad” 17 years later.
He describes it as more of a reunion for his players who carry the memories of that encounter at the same venue.
Caligiuri stressed however, that the bigger picture is the people of Trinidad and Tobago who will be made happy from this match.
Caligiuri will have with him goalkeeper Tony Meola who explains that he remembers the big screen and the “Sea of Red” shirts while between the uprights for Team USA.
Other members of the US team who are here, John Stollmeyer, Eric Eichman, Mike Windischman, Phillip Gyan, Steve Tittschuh, Yari Allnut, Paul Crumpe, Robin Fraser and Chris Henderson.
A number of players were also expected to fly in last night for the match.
The match will follow an exhibition schoolgirl match between St Joseph’s Convent and Providence from 3 pm.
