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The Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team produced a spirited performance last night in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in San Pedro Sula, Honduras but it was not enough for their first point of the competition.
Instead, the junior “Soca Warriors” fell 2-0 to the United States to go bottom of the six-team Group A after their opening 4-1 loss to Guatemala last Friday.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
It looks likely to get harder before it gets better as the Warrior face the host nation, Honduras, next from 9.30 pm on Thursday. The Hondurans were held to a shock 1-1 draw last night by Cuba while Jamaica stunned Guatemala 2-1 in the other Group A fixture to throw Group A wide open.
However, the Warriors could not emulate their Caribbean neighbours and settled for generally making it difficult for the US outfit.
The North American team nearly took the lead in the ninth minute but Trinidad and Tobago captain Noel Powder was well placed to keep out the attacker’s close ranged header from on the goal line.
The Warriors’ resistance lasted until the 31st minute as combative midfielder Josh Burnett, one of four US-based Trinidad and Tobago players used yesterday, conceded a free kick on the edge of the area.
Gifted Mexico-based striker Joe Gallardo Jr converted the set piece with a simple shot at the post that Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Levi Fernandez should have been protecting for the American’s fourth item in two matches.
Guatemala whipped Trinidad and Tobago 4-1.
(Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)
Jerren Nixon Jr, a Philadephia Union academy player, came closest to an equaliser but failed to make clean contact with a long, lofted Kareem Riley free kick in the 35th minute. And, in the 71st minute, the US doubled their advantage as winger Haji Wright broke clear of Powder and arrowed a low left footed strike into the far corner.
Trinidad and Tobago substitutes Jeankeon Alexander and Kishon Hackshaw came closest to the evening’s third goal only to be denied by a sharp double save from US custodian William Pusilic in the 87th minute.
Pusilic’s clean sheet meant that the Warriors have scored just once in their last five international matches.
Jamaica and Cuba’s results today means that the tournament is far from over. The top Group A will qualify automatically for the Chile 2015 Under-17 World Cup—and the US is in pole position—while second and third place will advance to a CONCACAF Play Off.
Julien’s item was the only goal scored by the “Soca Warriors” in their past five outings.
(Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)
A result against Honduras would give the Warriors a fighting chance with two games against Jamaica and Cub remaining in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
(Team)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Levi Fernandez (GK); 19.Noah Powder (captain), 4.Tekay Hoyce, 12.Kierron Mason, 3.Keston Julien; 6.Kareem Riley, 8.Joshua Burnett (17.Jeankeon Alexander 84); 7.Shakeem Patrick, 10.Morgan Bruce, 14.Isaiah Hudson (13.Kishon Hackshaw 81); 11.Jerren Nixon Jr (9.Chaz Burnett 59).
Unused substitutes: 20.Tyrek James (GK), 2.Isaiah Garcia, 15.Darnell Hospedales, 16.Shobal Celestin, 18.John-Paul Rochford.
Suspended: 5.Shirwin Noel.
Coach: Shawn Cooper
(Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)
CONCACAF Under-17 Championship
Group A
(February 27)
Guatemala 4 (Diego Raymundo 3, 54, Victor Valdez 10, Abel Lemus 45+2), Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Keston Julien 45) at San Pedro Sula;
USA 5 (Hugo Arellano 5, Joe Gallardo 40, 65, 88, Alejandro Zendejas 43), Cuba 0 at San Pedro Sula;
Honduras 2 (Darixon Vuelto 12, Jorge Alvarez 78), Jamaica 0 at San Pedro Sula;
(March 2)
Jamaica 2 (Nathaniel Adamolekun 13, Donovan Dawkins 90), Guatemala 1 (John Mendez 26) at San Pedro Sula;
Trinidad and Tobago 0, United States 2 (Joe Gallardo Jr 31, Haji Wright 71) at San Pedro Sula;
Honduras 1 (Foslyn Grant 50), Cuba 1 (Ray Charles Herrera 78) at San Pedro Sula.
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Number 3 is very good as are many others. I am hopeful this team can take the 3 points tonight against Honduras to keep qualifying hopes alive.
#3 best player on T&T squad
We saw the potential of this team last night, the boys controlled much of the match having early chances to take the lead. What is MOST evident after last night is that TTFA, Ministry of Sport, parents and players have to develop a system, process and plan to achieve our goals because we are failing our youth. Last night I watched a group of our young Warriors compete strongly with the USA, our Warriors had 2 International Friendlies with Panama and 1 against a Panamanian U20 Club . Of the USA players 16 have lived in residency at Bradenton, FL training twice per day for over a year and a half, they played the following international matches:
January 20 2014 vs. France January 21 2014 vs. Norway
January 23 2014 vs. Scotland January 25 2014 vs. Turkey
August 2 2014 vs. China August 3 2014 vs. Mexico
August 4 2014 vs. Paraguay August 6 2014 vs. Turkey
August 8 2014 vs. Ecuador August 10 2014 vs. Brazil
November 28 2014 vs. England November 30 2014 vs. Australia
December 2 2014 vs. Brazil February 2 2015 vs. Panama
February 4 2015 vs. Panama February 20 2015 vs Bermuda
February 22 2015 vs. Bermuda
Imagine what is possible if we get our act together, we have the talent, we have the intellect we need the resources, believe and commitment. The USA live and play together for 18 months, they play 17 international matches but we fight them to the end. We can’t afford to waste this generation of boys nor the next. No more excuses, lets find the path to solutions.
When the corrupted TTFA starts hiring the real professional coaches to coach our National youth teams and stop allowing the bootleg coaches to coach for free only then things will change with respect to our football in our sweet country. Them really good yes.
Eric A St Bernard, I’m not so sure. Trinidad and Tobago and the US were at nearly the same level when they used college players. We eliminated them at U20 level in 1990 when we had a pro in Dwight Yorke. The US doesn’t use many school players anymore. There were just two at the most on their u20 squad.
Some of the world’s best players had basic schooling but were like scientists with a football. You’re talking Maradona, Pele, both Ronaldos…
Even in Trinidad, the likes of Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, Stern John and Marvin Andrews come to mind.
I think you can learn discipline outside a classroom as well.
#3
That’s only part of the problem. Selection process lacks transparency , poor grounds, poor officiating, no investment in development and continuing with failures as coaches.Sweet TNT where failures rule the roost and continue to get recognized for failing.
Lasana, I live in the U.S. I’m Trini to the bone. We will never beat they US until we tie education and sports together. Review US sports and their college system. They don’t just focus on skills. Academic ability is about discipline. Look at our best – Shaka, Ncakid(sp),York, Lara etc. A US college coach told me, “give me a semi skilled, smart, focus young person and I will make them real good. Put talent without discipline in a locker room and they won’t win”. T&T needs to put the focus on schools. Get at least a C grade to play. That’s a win-win. Is that too much to demand ?