Jones brothers among League B Best XI.
T&T Guardian Reports.MIAMI – Several performances from English-speaking Caribbean Football Union (CFU) players proliferated three Best XIs chosen after the Concacaf Nations League group stage ended on Tuesday.
Concacaf said there were many great performances during the March window of matches, but they identified 33 performances that stood out the most from players at their respective positions.
Performances from CFU players earned only two spots in the Best XI 11 chosen out of League A, they secured all but three of the spots picked from League B, and swept all the spots in League C, which featured only teams from the Union.
Jamaica Reggae Boyz striker Bobby Reid earned recognition in the League A Best XI after he scored one of the best goals of the window with a hard-hit, swerving shot that went blazing into the top right corner of net in a 2-2 draw for the Reggae Boyz on the road against Mexico.
He also had a steal in the contest against the Concacaf giants in a crucial match for the Jamaicans.
The performance of Barbadian midfielder Shaquan Clarke caught the eye of the selection panel in League B.
No player had more steals during the window than Clarke, who amassed 26 over the two matches for the Bajan Tridents. He also had a clearance and completed almost 90 per cent of his passes.
Performances from Antigua & Barbuda goalkeeper Nicholas Townsend, Trinidad & Tobago Soca Warriors pair, defender Alvin Jones and his brother, midfielder Joevin Jones, were also among the Best XI recognised from League B.
Townsend was excellent in both matches for the Benna Boys, a 1-0 win against Guadeloupe and a narrow 2-1 loss against Barbados. He made a total of 13 saves in the window.
Alvin Jones completed 26 of 27 passes in a 3-0 win for the Warriors on the road against The Bahamas, plus three steals, a clearance, and an assist.
Joevin Jones scored in the win against The Bahamas and supplied the lone goal for the Warriors in the 1-1 draw against Nicaragua. He also had two steals and completed 94 per cent of his passes.
Performances from Turks & Caicos Islands striker Billy Forbes and St Lucian defender Kurt Frederick were among the leading from League C.
Forbes struck a pair of first half goals to power TCI to a 2-1 win on the road against Bonaire on the final day of matches. He also had an assist during the window.
St Lucia had two wins in two matches to finish Group C with a perfect record, and Frederick scored twice for them in a 3-1 win against Dominica, while adding a steal and three clearances.
Other performances recognised came from United States Virgin Islands goalkeeper Ramius Stiehler, St Lucia midfielder Gregson President, TCI midfielder Jeff Beljour, and St Kitts & Nevis striker Keithroy Freeman. -
CMCRELATED NEWSMatos, Pierrot and Clarke star in CNL League B Best XI.
CONCACAF.COM.MIAMI, Florida – The 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League group stage has come to an end for the 16 teams involved in League B. There were many great performances during the March window of games, yet these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.
GK Nicholas Townsend, Antigua & Barbuda – Townsend was excellent in both games for the Benna Boys, a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe and a narrow 2-1 loss with Barbados. He made a total of 13 saves in the window.
DF Edarlyn Reyes, Dominican Republic – Reyes was as active as they come for a defender, with a goal on 10 shots and an assist for the Dominican Republic, who drew 1-1 at French Guiana and defeated Belize 2-0.
DF Alvin Jones, Trinidad & Tobago – Jones completed 26 of 27 passes in the 3-0 win at the Bahamas, plus three steals, a clearance and an assist.
DF Nicolas Samayoa, Guatemala – Guatemala captured first place in Group D thanks in part to Samayoa, who played in the 2-1 win at Belize and the 4-0 home win versus French Guiana. Samayoa had a goal, three steals and seven clearances.
MF Shaquan Clarke, Barbados – No player had more steals during the window than Clarke, who amassed 26 over the two games for the Bajan Tridents. He also had a clearance and completed almost 90 percent of his passes.
MF Joevin Jones, Trinidad & Tobago – Jones was stellar for the Soca Warriors, scoring in the 3-0 win at Bahamas and supplying the lone Trinidad & Tobago goal in the 1-1 draw with Nicaragua. He had two steals and completed 94 percent of his passes.
MF Derrick Etienne Jr., Haiti – The Haitian midfield stalwart was key in defense with 15 steals, while also productive going forward with a goal and an assist, as Haiti beat Montserrat 4-0 and Bermuda 3-1 to win Group B.
MF Matias Moldskred Belli, Nicaragua – Nicaragua won promotion to League A as the winner of Group C and Moldskred was a big reason why, with a goal, assist and clearance, as Nicaragua topped St. Vincent & the Grenadines 4-1 and drew Trinidad & Tobago 1-1.
FW Frantzdy Pierrot, Haiti – Pierrot had a goal in each Haiti victory, plus a steal while completing more than 84 percent of his passes.
FW Ariagner Smith, Nicaragua – Smith had a goal in each game for Nicaragua on nine shots in helping Nicaragua win their group and earn promotion to League A.
FW Yasnier Matos, Cuba – Matos’ goal in the finale versus Guadeloupe made all the difference for Cuba, who won Group A with a 1-0 victory. Matos completed 70 percent of his passes in two games.
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