Warriors send SOS for Marcano and Leon

EPL Infrafred Sauna

The Trinidad and Tobago national football team has been granted special permission from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU)  to add St Ann’s Rangers attacker Jason Marcano and DIRECTV W Connection midfielder Clyde Leon to its squad as the “Soca Warriors” chase their first Caribbean Cup title since 2001.

Marcano and Leon will replace injured players Hughtun Hector and Lester Peltier, who will take no further part in the competition.

Trinidad and Tobago plays Group B winner, Martinique, in the second semifinal match on Friday evening in Antigua.

Leon, who has 46 international caps and is a popular team member, could help shore up a midfield that appeared to be lacking muscle during the group stage. The versatile midfielder, who turned 28 last week, anchored the Warriors for the preliminary rounds in St Kitts and Nevis and played in two of the three semi-final round fixtures in Tobago.

Photo: Clyde Leon (second from right) is congratulated by his DIRECTV W Connection teammates during the 2012 CONCACAF Champions League.
(Courtesy Photos868)

Marcano, who is also 28, made nine prior international outings but has never played in a competitive fixture for Trinidad and Tobago. He is employed as a central midfielder at Rangers but Shabazz suggested that the Warriors are more likely to use him on the flank where he played with former Pro League team San Juan Jabloteh.


“He won’t be guaranteed a starting position but we feel he can boost our wide options,” Shabazz told Wired868. “He is clever and fit and can work box-to-box and play inside too. At Jabloteh, under (Terry) Fenwick, he showed a perfect understanding of how to be a winger in attack and a midfielder in defence. We like his workrate and we will give him a chance to do that for us.”

The Warriors have already qualified for their first CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament since 2007 after finishing Group A with four points following yesterday’s 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic and a goalless draw against Haiti last Friday.

(T&T’s Caribbean Cup 2012 team)

TT: 1.Jan-Michael Williams (capt), 21.Marvin Phillip; 17.Daneil Cyrus, 4.Curtis Gonzales, 6.Kareem Moses, 20.Seon Power, 5.Carlyle Mitchell, 2.Aubrey David; 11.Kevon Carter, 10.Kevin Molino, 18.Densill Theobald, 16.Keyon Edwards, 3.Joevin Jones, 8.Ataullah Guerra; 9.Devorn Jorsling, 13.Richard Roy, 14.Willis Plaza, 15.Jamal Gay.

Unavailable: 7.Hughtun Hector, 12.Lester Peltier.

Replacements: Clyde Leon, Jason Marcano.

[standings league_id=8 template=extend logo=true]
More from Wired868
Eve reverses view of Fifa rankings as Soca Warriors climb to 98th

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve appeared to reverse his view on the worth of Read more

Dear Editor: Nothing personal, Coachman Eve; we just want to win games

“[…] Angus Eve, you signed up for this wuk. We critics aren’t here to wine up on you and like Read more

Najjar: Not so, Eve; possession is very important for success

Great and much needed results for Trinidad and Tobago after a scolding from previous captain and marquee player Kevin Molino, Read more

“Possession doesn’t win matches!” Eve explains philosophy as T&T lead Group A

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve doubled down on his self-described pragmatic style of play, Read more

“Shiggy” stings El Salvador as Eve’s Warriors manage vital win on the road

Trinidad and Tobago are virtually assured of survival in Concacaf Nations League A and might even allow themselves loftier dreams, Read more

King: Warriors were outstanding against Curaçao! Eve skips press conference

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve was a no-show last night, as he skipped post-match Read more

About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd
Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

Check Also

Eve reverses view of Fifa rankings as Soca Warriors climb to 98th

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve appeared to reverse his …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.