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Offline Controversial

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #180 on: June 04, 2017, 03:37:26 AM »
If we can't assemble our full strength team far enough in advance then friendlies are a kind of moot point in my opinion. Does it put us at a disadvantage? Yes. Other teams with bigger talent pools can have better offerings and thus be better prepared. We literally have no more than 15-18 1st team players with half playing in North America which is in active season during this time


With 1/4 of T&T's population, how does Iceland do it?

How does Jamaica manage to do it year after year?  And they not even in WCQ and have way more players playing in MLS than we do


Confused by your questions, I am talking about arranging of friendlies outside of FIFA windows with full strength teams.

Iceland's top players who would form part of the core of their national team plays within the normal european football calendar season so those players will be available to play friendlies and WCQs which ever is on their schedule. If they use players from their domestic league which is currently underway, then its all within their authority to extract those players like US is doing with its MLS players to play international games.

Jamaica's friendlies are within the FIFA window so they can  call up a full strength team to play friendlies which make sense.

Most teams participating in friendlies 'this week' which is outside of the FIFA window 'next week' are made of players whose domestic season is over, unless they involved in UCL final this Saturday.



TT is intentionally kept down, everyone knows our talent, giving us friendlies and the best prep would mean top 3 status in concacaf

House negroes don't want that, they can't  make money that way

Similarly if crime was ultra low, that would mean no burglar proofing, no robust security industry and other industries that thrive off of a violent society

Or the cure to cancer and diabetes, less hospitals, pharma would be compromised and how would doctors make all that money with a healthy society

The plight of TT football is another mans success
« Last Edit: June 04, 2017, 03:55:18 AM by Controversial »

Offline Controversial

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #181 on: June 04, 2017, 04:02:15 AM »
US look beatable against venezuela just now. Ven coulda be 3-0 in the 1st half. But Pulisic again. Him or Altidore good for 1 I feel. But Kenwyn would match up well against their defense, if we get the numbers forward. I call an exciting 3-2 for T&T.

The US may be beatable but they know our players extremely well, they play in the US and our captain has been analyzed and figured out

It's easy to beat a team if you know their players inside out and plus you're paying a lot of them

My mantra is, never play for opposing Nations club teams, iwho are qualifying in your region for the wc because it can backfire on you..
« Last Edit: June 04, 2017, 04:04:01 AM by Controversial »

Offline Fyzoman

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #182 on: June 04, 2017, 09:30:11 AM »
Oh how I wish the coach could say "eff everybody" and just unleash Levi Garcia on the US, regardless of how he performing in practice!

He might still have a little sharpness left after spending a whole season playing in that 3rd Division league in Vietnam. Oh and same goes for we worst defender, Bateau.
"Practice is the best of all instructors"

Offline kounty

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #183 on: June 04, 2017, 10:27:47 AM »
Senior Men enter final week of build up to WCQ with USA in Colorado.
TTFA Media.


Lawrence’s pool increased with the arrival of European-based duo Khaleem Hyland and Sheldon Bateau while Colorado Rapids defender Mekeil Williams also joined the camp to begin training with the squad. Lawrence is expected to name his final squad on the weekend for the encounter at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
...


any news on this?

Offline kounty

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #184 on: June 04, 2017, 10:53:34 AM »
watching armenia puttin a wallop on St Kitts/Nevis. If most of their national players from the league Peltier might really deserve a call up.

Offline Flex

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #185 on: June 04, 2017, 11:32:53 AM »
Lawrence names 24-man Roster to face USA in WCQ on Thursday.
TTFA Media.


Head Coach Dennis Lawrence today announced a 24-man Roster ahead of Thursday’s 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier against the United States at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver.

Lawrence and his coaching staff used the past days dating back to May 24th to assess players during a residential training camp before finalising the squad for the encounter.

The squad is as follows –  Jan-Michael Williams, Marvin Phillip, Adrian Foncette, Carlos Edwards, Aubrey David, Alvin Jones, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Mekeil Williams, Triston Hodge, Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus, Curtis Gonzales, Joevin Jones, Andre Boucaud, Kevan George, Hashim Arcia, Khaleem Hyland, Leston Paul, Kevin Molino, Hughtun Hector, Nathan Lewis, Shahdon Winchester, Jamille Boatswain and Kenwyne Jones.

The players who have returned home, all due to injuries, are Willis Plaza, Jomal Williams and Akeem Roach.

Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury while US-based player Cordell Cato was released  due to disciplinary reasons.

Lawrence said he was anticipating the upcoming days of preparations with his full compliment of players ahead of Thurday’s fixture.

“We arrived here on May 23rd to begin a training camp with the objective of getting acclimatised with the players available to us and I am able to say that we were able to get in some proper training which allowed me and the coaching staff to get a good impression of how the players would react under the  conditions here. The players have responded positively with a good attitude and the spirit in the camp has been good with everyone having a proper understanding as to why we are here.

“Now we are under a week away from the match and we should have the full squad together from later this evening and tomorrow we will begin the final leg of preparations. We are heading into it in a positive frame of mind and ready to focus all our energies into ensuring we prepare as best as possible for what is ahead of us,” Lawrence added.

T&T Roster

Goalkeepers:

Jan-Michael Williams (North East Stars), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic Centre FC), Adrian Foncette (Police FC).

Defenders:

Carlos Edwards (Central FC), Aubrey David (PS Kemi Kings—FIN), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Radanfah Abu Bakr (FK Sūduva Marijampolė—LTU), Mekeil Williams (Colorado Rapids—USA), Triston Hodge (W Connection), Sheldon Bateau (Krylia Sovetov Samara—RUS), Daneil Cyrus (Unattached), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force).

Midfielders:

Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders FC—USA), Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—ENG), Kevan George (Jacksonville Armada—USA), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force), Khaleem Hyland (KVC Westerlo—BEL), Leston Paul (North East Stars), Kevin Molino (Minnesota United FC—USA), Hughtun Hector (W Connection), Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh).

Forwards:

Shahdon Winchester (Murcielagos FC—MEX), Jamille Boatswain (Defence Force), Kenwyne Jones (Atlanta United—USA).

RELATED NEWS

Cato axed for indiscipline, Levi out with injury: Lawrence names team to face USA, C/Rica.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


The Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team will go into crucial 2018 World Cup qualifying away fixtures against the United States and Costa Rica with just two recognised wingers, after coach Dennis Lawrence axed San Jose Earthquakes flanker Cordell Cato for indiscipline and released Levi Garcia, Jomal Williams and Akeem Roach due to injury.

India-based forward Willis Plaza also left the team camp in Colorado due to an injury, which left the Soca Warriors with a 24-man squad of nine defenders, five holding midfielders and three forwards but just four attacking midfielders.

Lawrence, like his predecessor Stephen Hart, has generally favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation with three attacking midfielders behind a lone striker.

On this occasion, he has only Seattle Sounders’ Joevin Jones and San Juan Jabloteh’s Nathan Lewis as specialist wingers while Minnesota United’s Kevin Molino should start in the ‘number 10’ role with Defence Force’s Hashim Arcia as back-up.

W Connection’s 32-year-old deep-lying playmaker Hughtun Hector and 38-year-old Central FC full back Carlos Edwards both played as wingers earlier in their careers and might be asked to deputise if necessary.

While the absence of Garcia, Williams and Roach were unavoidable, Lawrence might feel especially let down by Cato who was released shortly after showing up for camp.

Wired868 understands that Cato allegedly showed up at the team’s residential camp with his wife Jonelle Warrick and child, despite being advised against it. The speedy winger then asked for them to spend the night with him and, failing that, for him to be allowed to spend the night at a hotel with the pair and report for training in the morning.

Lawrence dropped him instead.

Neither player nor coach have spoken about the incident on the record as yet and the TTFA said only that Cato “was released due to disciplinary reasons.”

It is worth noting that the entire squad is not yet in camp as Kevin Molino only joined the team today while Kenwyne Jones and Kevan George are expected later today and Joevin Jones reports for duty tomorrow, as he represents Seattle Sounders tonight in MLS action.

As such, Cato felt he deserved some flexibility. Lawrence clearly disagreed.

The head scratching confrontation follows on a tetchy exchange between the David John-Williams-led Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati and Major League Soccer League (MLS) commissioner Dan Garber.

The TTFA wrote to Gulati and Garber, on 27 May, to point out that the MLS clubs released their players early to the United States national team but not to the Soca Warriors. The TTFA president asked Gulati and Garber for reciprocity.

In response, according to John-Williams, the United States football officials claimed that “the MLS and USSF entered into an agreement before the beginning of the MLS season in January 2017 to release their players early for the June qualifiers.”

This pact between the MLS and the USSF had not previously been made public.

There was no legal grounds under which the TTFA could take action against the MLS in any case. FIFA rules state that clubs are not obliged to release players earlier than three days before match day for games on the same continent and four days for games on separate continents. Otherwise, the respective clubs can use their own prerogative in deciding when to release their employees.

Indeed, John-Williams himself—along with Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene and chairman Larry Romany—could not compel Central FC to release players for international duty outside the FIFA guidelines when ex-Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet demanded them for a Nicaragua tour last December.

United States drew 1-1 with Venezuela in a friendly international encounter last night in Utah, after a second half equaliser by teenaged midfield star Christian Pulisic. In contrast, the Warriors’ only outing in Colorado thus far was a 1-0 win over a FC Boulder team which competes in the largely amateur Premier Development League (PDL).

However, Lawrence said their camp has served its objective of allowing the players to acclimatise to the high altitude. Assistant coach Sol Campbell also joined the squad in Colorado last week.

“We were able to get in some proper training which allowed me and the coaching staff to get a good impression of how the players would react under the  conditions here,” said Lawrence. “The players have responded positively with a good attitude and the spirit in the camp has been good with everyone having a proper understanding as to why we are here.

“Now we are under a week away from the match and we should have the full squad together from later this evening and tomorrow we will begin the final leg of preparations. We are heading into it in a positive frame of mind and ready to focus all our energies into ensuring we prepare as best as possible for what is ahead of us.”

Trinidad and Tobago have never won away to the United States while their only point there in World Cup qualifying action came almost 30 years ago—on 13 May 1989—when Strike Squad midfielder Hutson “Barber” Charles tucked away a last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 result.

Lawrence will try to emulate then coach Everald “Gally” Cummings, despite the absences of Cato, Garcia and Plaza, who all featured under the current boss in World Cup qualifying action.

Trinidad and Tobago have one defeat in four matches under Lawrence so far with wins over Panama and Barbados, a draw with Grenada and a loss to Mexico. USA are unbeaten after five games under coach Bruce Arena with wins over Jamaica and Honduras and draws against Serbia, Panama and Venezuela.

DJW’s Warriors debt, Cato kerfuffle, Hyland’s commitment and Lawrence’s toughest test

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams has insisted that National Senior Team players will be paid outstanding monies for their World Cup qualifying win over Panama at the pre-arranged time, despite grumbling in the team’s Denver camp today over the FA’s priorities.

The edginess over finances has created a stir for the Soca Warriors, who are still reeling over the sudden departure of United States-based winger Cordell Cato for “indiscipline.”

The Warriors are owed match fees and win bonuses for their 1-0 win over Panama on 24 March at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. According to a team source, the payment should have been made to the players within a month of the match.

Regardless, the players had not made an issue about the outstanding money until Saturday evening when the TTFA announced that it would pay US$100,000 and US$25,000 to the Pro League and Super League respectively for administrative costs.

The release upset players who felt that the TTFA should settle its debt to them before offering money to anyone else.

However, John-Williams disputed that the local body was late in meeting its obligations to the players and said the Warriors misunderstood the specifics of the payment to the Pro League and TTSL. He said that the money used for the local leagues came from a special FIFA fund, which could not be used to satisfy other debts.

“FIFA money cannot go to pay players,” John-Williams told the TTFA. “The money (to pay the Pro League and Super League competitions) was accessed from a special project fund and we made that very clear…

“I am not going to answer [any question about when the players will be paid]. I know clearly what is the arrangement with that and the players know what the arrangement is for that. They know exactly when the money will be paid.”

Undoubtedly, the TTFA is more financially stable at present, although this has much to do with its ability to access FIFA funding, which rarely existed under John-Williams’ predecessor, Raymond Tim Kee.

But it has not all been rosy for the Warriors and current head coach Dennis Lawrence was afforded just two friendly internationals so far against Barbados and Grenada—lesser quality opposition than even what was offered to former coach Tom Saintfiet, who got two matches away to Nicaragua last December.

And some tension remains between the squad and the football president, whose relationship virtually started with a threatened players’ strike, two years ago, in the build-up to a crucial 2016 Copa America Centenario Play Off fixture against Haiti.

On the weekend, though, the Warriors suffered a self-inflicted wound when the TTFA Media announced that Lawrence had cut Cato from the team to face the United States for “disciplinary reasons.”

Neither Lawrence nor Cato have spoken publicly about the fall-out so far. However, Wired868 received information on the issue from an informed source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Cato, according to the source, contacted Lawrence during the week and asked to be allowed to spend Saturday night with his wife, Jonelle Warwick, and report to camp on Sunday morning. Cato lives with his wife in San Jose where he is employed with Major League Soccer (MLS) team San Jose Earthquakes.

Lawrence, a former World Cup 2006 player and Everton assistant coach, blanked Cato’s request and insisted that everyone had to make sacrifices for their World Cup drive—including the coach who did not travel with his own wife.

Incidentally, Warriors midfielder Khaleem Hyland got married last weekend and asked for some days off with his wife before joining the squad. Lawrence answered in the negative and Hyland agreed to postpone his honeymoon to link up with the Warriors at their Denver training camp instead and prepare to face the United States on 8 June.

Cato, according to the source, wanted special consideration. So Lawrence suggested a compromise. The Warriors winger was told that he could spend Saturday with his wife and family in Denver but should then show up alone for camp at 8.30pm.

Instead, Cato allegedly turned up to the team’s hotel at 8.45pm with his wife and son and told the coach that he would see them to their room before he joined the squad for dinner.

Lawrence insisted that Cato’s suggestion was unacceptable and the winger promptly left with his entourage. The player still had not contacted the technical staff by Sunday morning when the head coach named his 24-man squad and explained to the players why Cato was excluded.

Wired868 has so far been unable to reach Cato for his own version of the incident.

The winger’s absence is a blow to the Warriors since they are already shorthanded with a growing list of injuries that now includes Levi Garcia, Willis Plaza, Jomal Williams, Akeem Roach and Carlyle Mitchell while veteran forward Cornell Glen only recently returned from injury and was not included.

Lawrence proved to be resourceful in his maiden World Cup qualifier against Panama when, despite injuries to Radanfah Abu Bakr and Mitchell and the suspension of Sheldon Bateau, the Warriors kept a clean sheet with a rejigged back four that comprised of Mekeil Williams—who was dropped for “poor form” by Saintfiet—and the Pro League trio of Curtis Gonzales, Daneil Cyrus and 38-year-old Carlos Edwards.

And a wrongfully disallowed item from Joevin Jones denied the Warriors the chance of a point against Mexico, four days later in Port of Spain.

Lawrence will face his toughest test as coach in Colorado on 8 June, though, against a team that has not dropped a point at home against the two island republic in 28 years.

« Last Edit: June 12, 2017, 04:51:26 AM by Flex »
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Offline g

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #186 on: June 04, 2017, 12:23:00 PM »

Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury while US-based player Cordell Cato was released  due to disciplinary reasons.



Disciplinary reasons, what's the back story on this one?
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Offline kounty

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #187 on: June 04, 2017, 12:47:04 PM »
smelling of so much sh!t.

Offline Trini Madness

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #188 on: June 04, 2017, 01:07:16 PM »

Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury while US-based player Cordell Cato was released  due to disciplinary reasons.



Disciplinary reasons, what's the back story on this one?

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Offline Flex

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #189 on: June 04, 2017, 01:38:44 PM »
United States 'players have to do better' with set pieces - Bruce Arena
 BY JEFF CARLISLE


SANDY, Utah -- United States manager Bruce Arena thought his team played "OK" in its 1-1 friendly draw with Venezuela, while also bemoaning his side's frailties on set pieces.

The U.S. fell behind in the 29th minute when a half-cleared corner kick was headed back into the box, allowing Jose Manuel Velazquez to volley home. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard then came to the Americans' rescue on two occasions in the first half, as the U.S. defense continued to look wobbly from set plays.

The U.S. perked up in the second half, and equalized through Christian Pulisic in the 61st minute. The U.S. later switched to a 3-5-2 formation but was unable to come up with a game-winner.

"I thought it was a good game," Arena said in his post-match news conference.

"Venezuela played very well, had a game plan that I think we may see on Thursday [against Trinidad & Tobago] as well. [They] dropped off, defended the spaces well, pressured the ball, and countered. And then they caught us on a set piece.

"We were very poor on a couple of set pieces tonight. And then at the other end of the field, I think we could've been a little bit cleaner in our execution. At times we played well, but the final product wasn't very good."

Arena was also critical of his side's play in the first half, one in which the U.S. failed to exploit some transition opportunities.

"I think we just played too slow, too much east-west, and it was because our spacing was poor," he said.

"By our positioning we shut down passing lanes for our players ahead of the ball. Once we opened it up a little bit at the end of the [first] half and then in the second half, we were a little bit more successful getting into the final third of the field, and attempting to create some chances."

The U.S. used the match as preparation for a pair of World Cup qualifiers in the next eight days. The Americans will face Trinidad and Tobago on June 8 before playing Mexico at the Estadio Azteca three days later. With both matches being played at altitude, the U.S. opted to play this game just outside of Salt Lake City in a bid to get the players better acclimatized.

"Dealing with the altitude is a good exercise for our players," he said. "So I give our opponents credit. I thought overall we played okay.

"It was good for me to see some of the new players on the field and get a little bit of a feel for them and see where they're at in terms of their fitness and their sharpness.

"Overall it was a good night. Certainly we would have liked to have won the game, but overall I thought it was good."

The U.S. will no doubt have to clean up their play on set plays, an area that plagued the team in its most recent World Cup qualifier, a 1-1 draw at Panama. Arena insisted the fix isn't a complicated one.

"You mark a guy and you beat him to the ball," he said. "When the ball is cleared and played back in you've got to stay with your man, and beat him to the ball.

"It's simply individual breakdowns. Players have to do better."

That said, he is confident that another five days at altitude will be sufficient to prepare his team for the Soca Warriors.

"We're moving forward at the right pace," he said. "Come Thursday, we're going to find out. I'm optimistic that the team will be ready to play."

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline g

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #190 on: June 04, 2017, 02:55:16 PM »

Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury while US-based player Cordell Cato was released  due to disciplinary reasons.
Wired868 understands that Cato allegedly showed up at the team’s residential camp with his wife Jonelle Warrick and child, despite being advised against it. The speedy winger then asked for them to spend the night with him and, failing that, for him to be allowed to spend the night at a hotel with the pair and report for training in the morning.

Lawrence dropped him instead.


Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury while US-based player Cordell Cato was released  due to disciplinary reasons.



Disciplinary reasons, what's the back story on this one?


Update: According to Wired868


Wired868 understands that Cato allegedly showed up at the team’s residential camp with his wife Jonelle Warrick and child, despite being advised against it. The speedy winger then asked for them to spend the night with him and, failing that, for him to be allowed to spend the night at a hotel with the pair and report for training in the morning.

Lawrence dropped him instead.

 ???  ??? ???
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Offline Fyzoman

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #191 on: June 04, 2017, 04:12:18 PM »
I was going to do a timeline/sequence of events with Cato. Playing Friday night, the whole asking to bring "the world's sweetest woman" to camp and apparently being told not to, and STILL doing it? Know what eff it,I can't do this...I give up, que sera, se-effing-ra!
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Offline gawd on pitch

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #193 on: June 04, 2017, 04:59:13 PM »
Wtf.. Cato get ban for that?

I hope Cato only ban for 1 game.

Offline g

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #194 on: June 04, 2017, 05:11:53 PM »
The same criticism wrt to the team's preparation is only underscored by supposedly pro players doing things like this, our squad is not deep and we need all hands on deck. I really at a loss on this one.
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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #195 on: June 04, 2017, 05:39:06 PM »
Heck of a lot of injuries.  :-\

Offline Sando prince

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #196 on: June 04, 2017, 06:05:47 PM »

If there was anytime in our football we need a result away from home against the US it will be this Thursday. Need at least a point, if we leave with nothing the campaign will be on its death bed

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #197 on: June 04, 2017, 06:25:58 PM »

If there was anytime in our football we need a result away from home against the US it will be this Thursday. Need at least a point, if we leave with nothing the campaign will be on its death bed

Prince coming from you dahis a real! optimistic comment.

If one refers to the 'how many points will we need' thread, one could say we already on the death bed pleading for intravenous relief.

Offline madness

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #198 on: June 04, 2017, 06:26:46 PM »
this is professional and Cato needs to understand the importance of this game. It's like a job. You can't being your family on the job. this is cato career.  :banginghead:

Offline Controversial

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #199 on: June 04, 2017, 07:06:29 PM »
Lawrence playing the game well...

Hats off to the dictator..

Offline g

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #200 on: June 04, 2017, 08:35:01 PM »
this is professional and Cato needs to understand the importance of this game. It's like a job. You can't being your family on the job. this is cato career.  :banginghead:

When you compare Hyland who got married and postpone his honeymoon to join the team.

DL can't encourage that within the team when others making sacrifices
« Last Edit: June 04, 2017, 08:39:24 PM by g »
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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #201 on: June 05, 2017, 02:00:35 AM »
WATCH  Senior Men's Team interacting with young players at Westminster City Park in Denver, Colorado.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/nRPnSZd9Xxw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/nRPnSZd9Xxw</a>

Offline trini_stallion

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #202 on: June 05, 2017, 03:48:26 AM »
WATCH  Senior Men's Team interacting with young players at Westminster City Park in Denver, Colorado.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/nRPnSZd9Xxw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/nRPnSZd9Xxw</a>

I like this...great for the team spirit, great to see them getting support out there, but most importantly...we got a bonus friendly! ;D :D
Soca in mih vein, Soca in meh blood
Soca in yuh vein, Soca in blood,
Soca in we vein, Soca in we blood,
It's a heart of love, can't deny soca, cuz its good fuh de soul...
Trinidad and Tobago jump up now!

Offline Flex

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #203 on: June 05, 2017, 05:15:32 AM »
Reasons to believe
By Fazeer Mohammed (Express).


Breaking new ground.

That’s the challenge for Trinidad and Tobago ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in the United States, or at the very least replicate the achievement of the 1989 team which came away from the duel in California with a 1-1 draw courtesy of Hutson Charles’ equaliser.

After such a shaky start to the final phase of the campaign, there is little breathing space left for the national side unless other results go in their favour the rest of the way. In fact, just breathing properly might pose a bit of a challenge given that the venue for the meeting with the Americans – Commerce City in Colorado – is at an altitude of over 5,000 feet.

If this sounds very flattering to the national team that the Yanks would go to such heights to ensure every possible advantage ahead of a meeting with a side at the bottom of the six-nation standings, there are at least two factors to be taken into consideration.

One, the hosts aren’t exactly in the lap of luxury themselves having also stumbled at the start of the “Hex” with defeats in their first two games before taking four points from the last two, which means they are level with Honduras and just a point ahead of Trinidad and Tobago. So they need every possible advantage that can be squeezed out for that game.

Two, they go on to the even greater altitude of Mexico City just five days later to take on the leaders in full knowledge they have never won a World Cup qualifier in that country and that the full house at the Azteca Stadium will probably be even more intimidating given the highly emotive anti-Mexican rhetoric that helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States.

So there is no risk of minimising the degree of the challenge facing head coach Dennis Lawrence as he prepares the national squad for Thursday’s game, followed immediately by the trip to San Jose where they will also be hoping to sneak a result against Costa Rica the following Tuesday. If this feels like a make-or-break double assignment well, it probably is.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the circumstances that took us from Stephen Hart to Tom Saintfiet to Lawrence in the space of a few weeks at the start of the year, it cannot be ignored that the former national defender has brought about a measurable improvement to the team as evidenced in the 1-0 win over Panama and even the narrow loss to the Mexicans at home in the last two World Cup qualifiers at the end of March.

Whether he has had enough time and resources to mould a competitive team that can surprise Bruce Arena’s side will only be known when the game gets underway. As the vast majority of players who are likely to feature in the starting 11 on Thursday night are overseas-based there isn’t much that can be read into the come-from-behind 2-2 draw in Grenada last month other than our locally-based players having a long way to go before they meet the requirements of top-level international football.

As tight as the race is for the three automatic qualifying spots and the fourth-placed playoff position (third-placed Panama are just two points ahead of T&T), the reason this could be a defining two games for the national team is the potential impact of results with four more qualifying games to come in September and October.

Of course we’re looking for points. Two would be excellent, especially if the other results go our way. Anything more than that would be fantastic and definitely revive aspirations of reaching football’s “Big Yard” for only the second time in the nation’s history.

Realistically though, and especially given the defensive frailties that continue to be exposed never mind the amount of presumably remedial work, those of us fearing the worst will be bracing for defeats in those two games. Yet even in such a scenario, even if we were to remain rooted at the bottom of the table, it will not be a total loss if the Trinidad and Tobago side is able to show the same sort of spirit and effort, and probably even more, against the USA and Costa Rica.

Remember there are still four more games to come, and while translating that into 12 points is extreme optimism to the point of being delusional, there will be something to work with and still build upon if an honest assessment of these two critical fixtures is that there is enough to suggest all is not lost, as yet.

Of course a total defensive collapse and a soulless, disjointed effort will kill off any positive speculation once and for all. Let’s hope our footballers can give us reason to believe.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #204 on: June 05, 2017, 08:34:35 AM »

Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury while US-based player Cordell Cato was released  due to disciplinary reasons.



Disciplinary reasons, what's the back story on this one?

Colorado have boat cruise?

Cato name ever call in anything so before? ::)

Offline MEP

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #205 on: June 05, 2017, 10:43:25 AM »
I hope there is something more than that with Cordell for Lawrence's sake otherwise I'm simply reminded of this verse

When meh fans and them tell meh
 They fine meh career going rel fine
I does simply have to tell them
You is the driving force behind
You is the one that give meh courage
 You is the one that have me great

Offline palos

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #206 on: June 05, 2017, 10:52:36 AM »
I hope there is something more than that with Cordell for Lawrence's sake otherwise I'm simply reminded of this verse

When meh fans and them tell meh
 They fine meh career going rel fine
I does simply have to tell them
You is the driving force behind
You is the one that give meh courage
 You is the one that have me great


substitute fans wit wife
Carlos "The Rolls Royce" Edwards

Offline Tallman

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #207 on: June 05, 2017, 03:19:37 PM »
WATCH: USA vs Trinidad and Tobago pre-game discussion

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The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Tallman

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #208 on: June 05, 2017, 03:35:01 PM »
WATCH: Defender Sheldon Bateau looks ahead to the World Cup Qualifier between United States and Trinidad and Tobago

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The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Flex

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Re: Thread for the T&T vs USA Game (8-Jun-2017)
« Reply #209 on: June 05, 2017, 04:05:19 PM »
Lawrence gets full compliment of players for final preparations ahead of USA World Cup qualifier
TTFA Media.


Trinidad and Tobago’s US-based quartet of Kenwyne Jones, Kevin Molino, Kevan George and Joevin Jones were all checked into the Senior Men’s Team camp in Denver on Monday, giving head coach Dennis Lawrence his first session with a full complement of 24 players ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifying showdown with the United States at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park from 6pm (8pm TT time).

Molino arrived on Sunday after playing for Minnesota United the previous day along with George,  while Jones (K) arrived on Sunday night and Jones of Seattle Sounders meeting up with the rest of the group just after midday on Monday after running out for Seattle Sounders on Sunday night.

Lawrence and his staff will now enter their final bit of fine tuning with a clearer mindset knowing that all players are on site and injury free,  adapting to the conditions and actively being part of the sessions both on an off the pitch.

George, who has been a regular member of the Jacksonville Armada team in recent weeksaid the USA clash has been on his mind well in advance of his arrival in Colorado on the weekend.

“I completely forgot everything about my club on the weekend as soon as our game ended and my energies were geared towards preparing for this upcoming game against the US. When we get to Costa Rica, we’ll think about them but my sole focus has been the US and how we can exploit them,” George told TTFA Media.

“I’ve played here in Colorado before with Columbus Crew so I kind of know what to expect in terms of the conditions but you never really know until you go out there on the day. We are all professionals so we have to simply get on with it, George added.

“We have to be disciplined and not get caught up in the magnitude of the game. We all know there are points on the line but if we can stay disciplined and carry out the instructions to coach has been giving us then I think we will be fine,” George said.

“Everything about this game has been at the back of my mind since I was at my club. I feel good and physically ready and just looking forward to executing on Thursday.”

Meantime, home-based W Connection player Alvin Jones is excited but composed about making the 24-man cut as tries to enter the field for a World Cup qualifier against his brother Joevin.

“I feel great to have made the final cut. Finally I have achieved this and now I will try to make the team for the game itself. Everyday myself and Joevin have been speaking and even though he has not been here in camp, it was almost like he’s been here because everyday he’s been on the phone asking about how things have been going in training,” Jones said.

“It’s an honour to be in the World Cup squad with him and I feel good that the coach has given me this look after putting in all the effort in the camp here in Colorado. Now it’s just about settling down even more and getting things right between now and Thursday’s match,” the Connection man added.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

 

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