Longing for Levi: Warriors to assemble in Miami Sunday en route to Cuba
By Ian Prescott (T&T Newsday)
CARETAKER national coach Derek King is still hopeful of having AEK Athens striker Levi Garcia in his squad for two key upcoming Concacaf Nations League A matches against Cuba, away on October 10 and in Tobago on October 14.
While the probability of having Garcia in the squad seems low, given past scenarios, King remains optimistic.
"Levi has an injury at this point. I think they are supposed to clear him to play this weekend. We're still in talks with him to see if he will be available to travel to Cuba."
The Soca Warriors assemble in Miami on Sunday, before flying to Cuba for the first of two monumental clashes, with both teams fighting for semi-final spots in National League A, as well as avoiding relegation to League B. The Soca Warriors have a single point from a 0-0 home draw with French Guiana, and also lost 4-0 away to Honduras. Cuba have two points, drawing 0-0 with Jamaica and 1-1 with Nicaragua.
At press time, King was still working on finalising his squad.
"We have a few injuries; we are now finalising. By today (Thursday) we will know, with the overseas-based (footballers), who will be available."
King said players and staff are very confident of winning in Cuba next Thursday. And given the importance of the upcoming two matches, he believed it important to give all eligible players the chance to vie for final selection.
"We need six points," King declared. "We are trying to get our best players on the park on the day."
King expects both matches will be hard fought.
"Cuba played slightly different in two matches. Away from home against Jamaica they play with a back five. At home, they play with a back four," King explained, "I think, they will be coming as well for three points. So, we have to defend well, and, once we create our chances, we have to score our chances."
King also explained his rationale in inviting two veterans, Joevin Jones, 33, and previously retired 34-year-old Kevin Molino to join a provisional local team in training. He gave no assurance that either will be in his final squad.
"I picked a local team to train, and he (Molino) is in Trinidad, and with his experience, a guy who played over 50 games for the country, played MLS (Major League Soccer) and stuff, I think sometimes there needs (to be) experience around the team."
Acknowledging that midfielder Molino had not played active football since December 2023, three months after retiring from international football, King said the player has been giving a strong effort.
"He's there working hard. We are playing 90-minute games as well, and so far he's looking good, " King said. "I had a conversation with Molino. We have him here training. We'll see how the final squad goes."
Jones' situation is slightly different. He has been playing with Police FC locally since his time in the United States with Inter Miami ended in 2022.
"He's one of the active local players," King said. "He played for Police in the Concacaf Club Championship. He was not a hundred per cent, but I think he did well. He knows he has to work on his fitness, and I think Joevin could bring a level of experience (along) with the younger guys that we have as well."
In the absence of an active local professional league- which is in the off-season - King thought it proactive to have his local prospects active. His camp gives locally-based footballers a chance to build fitness and also vie for spots in King's final squad.
"For the past two weeks I've had a local team in training," King said. "I think the guys are doing well. We're working on fitness and strength and mental (fortitude).
"When we analyse the last two games, fitness was one of the two key elements," King explained.
