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Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team coach Stephen Hart has cut playmaker Kevin Molino from his squad for breaking camp, barely a month since the Orlando City player incurred a massive fine for the same infraction.
Hart’s decision means the Warriors face Martinique in Fort-de-France tonight—in a must-win Caribbean Cup qualifier—without his most lethal finisher. Team captain and forward Kenwyne Jones is Hart’s top scorer after 16 items—inclusive of four penalty kicks—from 32 items. But Molino plundered his 13 goals in just 15 starts and three substitute appearances for the Warriors.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Last Wednesday, Hart lauded the clever Number 10, after he showed signs of returning to his best with a hattrick in a 4-0 demolition of the Dominican Republic at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
Two days later, Molino allegedly decided to celebrate by slipping out of the team base and spending the night at the Vas Lounge nightclub in St Clair.
Hart, according to informed sources, found out about Molino’s indiscretion on Monday—a day after the team landed in Fort-De-France. And this time, there is unlikely to be a second chance.
Wired868 was told that Molino was immediately cut from the squad for the Martinique showdown. The winner of tonight’s contest advances automatically to the 2017 Caribbean Cup semifinals and CONCACAF Gold Cup while the loser, although eliminated from the Caribbean Cup, will attempt to get to the Gold Cup through a series of play-offs.
Crucially, Molino’s indiscretion looks likely to cost the playmaker his place in the squad when Trinidad and Tobago host Costa Rica on 11 November and then face Honduras away on 15 November in the opening two Hex assignments for their final Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying round.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
On Tuesday 30 August, three days before the Warriors hosted Guatemala in a key World Cup qualifier, Molino, Joevin Jones and Mekeil Williams broke camp and attended a boat party.
All three were fined although Hart allowed them to play on 2 September when the Warriors held Guatemala 2-2 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain—with Joevin scoring both goals.
“It was a first time situation as far as I know,” Hart told Wired868 at the time, “and you have to ask yourself: Do you punish the whole team for a situation of three players?
“You are going into a crucial game and the players have broken team rules. We thought we dealt with it sufficiently in terms of it being a fine and [handling] it in-house.
“If this was habitual, they would probably have been sent home.”
Molino expressed his regret to Hart immediately after the incident while he said sorry to the public at a post-game conference on 5 October in Couva.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Two days later on 7 October, the two-time World Youth Cup player apparently proved that the apology was a hollow one. And Hart was true to his word.
Despite facing some criticism for allowing Molino to play against Guatemala, Hart took firm stances for breaches of discipline before.
Playmaker Keon Daniel was dropped after traveling home on a TTFA ticket but then failing to show for his flight to Jamaica for a friendly international match in November 2013. Daniel was never recalled.
Joevin and W Connection defender Daneil Cyrus were omitted from the squad for a friendly international match against New Zealand, in October 2013, after both pulled out of a previous international engagement and were caught playing minor league football during the international break.
Any issues that might have existed within the squad since then were considered too minor for anything more than an internal fine. Until, of course, Molino decided to “Over Dweet” on the dance floor.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
His potential departure leaves a gaping hole for the Warriors in that advanced midfield position, which, ironically, he inherited from Daniel.
Central FC midfielder Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings is felt to still be short of his best form, as he regains his rhythm after a lengthy off due to being shot in his leg last December.
Charlotte Battery playmaker Ataulla Guerra failed to make the most of his opportunities under Hart and has not worn red, black and white in over a year. While Mexico-based attackers Jomal Williams and Shahdon Winchester have two international goals between them and are still unproven at senior international level.
In the short term, Hart is likely to ask combative midfielder Khaleem Hyland to play higher up the field alongside Kenwyne Jones, although—Jomal and Winchester apart—another option would be to try Joevin or teenaged starlet Levi Garcia as supporting strikers.
For now, the Warriors appear to be short of one of their brightest talents. Hart’s job was hard enough already.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
(Trinidad and Tobago Team)
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams, Adrian Foncette;
Defenders: Mekeil Williams, Aubrey David, Daneil Cyrus, Tristan Hodge, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Sheldon Bateau;
Midfielders: Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud, Kevan George, Neveal Hackshaw;
Attacking midfielders: Joevin Jones, Cordell Cato, Levi Garcia, Jomal Williams;
Forwards: Kenwyne Jones, Trevin Caesar, Shahdon Winchester.
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oh gosh, oh gosh is you have meh so eh with your Satire eh hahahah
What kind of stripper-gram conduct is that Earl?! You trying to get banned? Lol
We cannot give up on Kevin Nash Molino…. Would love to know if the “friends” that added to this indiscretion will be there for him when he is down. I am happy thay Joevin and Mikiel did not break camp with him. I hope this is a wake up call for Molino…. He is a young man that needs some serious talking to, and some guidance…. Molino, this is your life, your love, your future…. FOCUS… The clubs, and groupies will always be there….. Build your life, your future…. I am confident this will pass, and he will be the responsible player we need.
Why is this even a story he out and we move on that’s life
Egotistical.. an attitude being encouraged among our young footballers even at the school level.. players are left in some cases to do as they please.. treated like mini gods because they are needed to play.. schools and teams that focus on a ranking or a win rather than teaching them education and discipline even loyalty is more important than being able to kick a ball
Ballpest understands that role …I would forget about Molino and focus on Ballpest ……… yuh cyah have the team depending on an unreliable player. …..any news on KJ’s injury? Is it serious?
I won’t say Ball Pest understands it yet. But he was getting there. In fact he was on the team for probably just about six months before he was shot.
Will ask about KJ.
Don’t think that Ball pest will ever be 100% ready for all that action coming up soon eh.
Pressure boi ?
I noticed a lot of discussion on a MLS forum over the Molino incident. I thought these three comments were especially interesting:
“I would “respect his decision on a personal level” if he retired and said hey I’ll be honest I’m done with the grind. But instead he tried to have it both ways, sneaking away from the team to party while still trying to collect a check for being a footballer? No respect at all in that.”
“We’d better hope for some big offensive signings if Molino is on the way out. His form does tend to be a bit of a roller coaster ride, but he’s the second highest goal scorer on the team.
This incident does raise questions about his devotion to the team, though. If he’s willing to behave like this while playing for his country, one can only imagine his possible lack of discretion while playing for OC.”
“That would explain the extreme inconsistency between being great and being invisible.
I believe I suggested a week or so ago that Molino might be a guy on the way out after his halftime exit recently. Another interesting tidbit is that Shea apparently would have started more games if not for his recent foot injury. I assumed he would have been starting for MPG. I wonder if Molino would have been the one sitting.”
I noticed a lot of discussion on a MLS forum over the Molino incident. I thought these three comments were especially interesting, Brent, Brian, Carlos, Brian and Keith:
“I would “respect his decision on a personal level” if he retired and said hey I’ll be honest I’m done with the grind. But instead he tried to have it both ways, sneaking away from the team to party while still trying to collect a check for being a footballer? No respect at all in that.”
“We’d better hope for some big offensive signings if Molino is on the way out. His form does tend to be a bit of a roller coaster ride, but he’s the second highest goal scorer on the team.
This incident does raise questions about his devotion to the team, though. If he’s willing to behave like this while playing for his country, one can only imagine his possible lack of discretion while playing for OC.”
“That would explain the extreme inconsistency between being great and being invisible.
I believe I suggested a week or so ago that Molino might be a guy on the way out after his halftime exit recently. Another interesting tidbit is that Shea apparently would have started more games if not for his recent foot injury. I assumed he would have been starting for MPG. I wonder if Molino would have been the one sitting.”
Lasana that could be a career ending move there yes
I don’t think it will be yet. But people have been alerted.
His manager and coach at OC will be looking on with interest
I fully support the coach, however, I would try to setup a process allowing for a pathway back for any player, depending on the “level” of the indiscretion or indiscipline. For example, missing a game without a valid reason. First time, from six months suspension to lifetime ban. Second time, from one year suspension to lifetime ban. Missing practice or breaking camp without authorization would be another level. After completion of suspension, player should be made to complete some number of psychological counseling sessions, and pay a fine.. suspension length, fine, etc should be determined by TTFA disciplinary committee with input from Head Coach.. We must keep in mind youthful indiscretion can possibly get most of us fired from our every day professions..
Hart has not spoken publicly on the Molino situation yet. For all we know, Molino will only get a one game ban. Who knows…
Let’s see, however the process needs adjudication in my opinion..
Drop his tail…and anybody else who follows suit! Indiscipline has been our greatest keepback in many of our sports teams.
These guys taking stupidity to a different level yes…
Bet he can’t do that in the MLS but he wanna come home an represent our country an want to do wat he want smh drop him an if any other player have a problem with that drop them too
Lol. Touche.
” We will show that we’re sorry by working hard and doing our best.” Nowhere did he say, ” We won’t ever break curfew again.” ?
He not suppose to wear national colours never again dat is a selfish man
And I am hoping that my prolific goalscorer Kevin Nash Molino is reading all that I posted eh because I believe that he will get thru with his short comings.
And he stupid? Kudos to you Coach Hart for letting him own up to his actions. You so had to party Kevin Molino? It damn good, you on shit.
And this isn’t nutten new with respect to some of our players doing ah set ah madness eh, back in the days when the national teams went on tour or to compete in the tournaments eh, some of the players use to go by the hoe houses eh, and line up to buss their guns eh and this is how the senior players use to break in some of the younger players and now some of them are Coaches eh and they want to discipline my players eh. steeuuppss. Them really good yes.
Think this aint as serious as we make it out to be. He doh need no rehab. He’s grown and it’s a simple choice …to go or not to go when on duty. He chose to go got punished with a fine. Then he did it again ….knowing that it wasn’t allowed ….. drop him. Coach’s rules. Team has dropped off when certain key players have dropped off. Replace the unmotivated with the hungry and go with that. The three initial party boys should be the first set to be replaced.
This Generation has no clue on how it feels to represent your nation out there on the football field….that right there is bigger than any boat ride or party you will ever attend.
Alyuh leave meh prolific goalscorer alone nah, he need some time to come back to his real senses eh. hahahahaha
I hope he will also be fine, a gifted player but the wrong attitude.
He score ah hat trick against the Dominican Republic and feel he above de team now…..STEEEEUPS!!!
I could never understand why players like Molino et al have it in their minds that they’ve ‘reached’. Yorke and Lara at least had big league titles and records to their names (not that it’s a justification). A psychologist ain’t helping these guys one fart….but then again this is TT, land of the encouraged, frowned upon, then rewarded indiscretions
Sorry… not sorry! 😀 LMAOOO
Short attention span…lol
At exactly the second minute mark, I asked Kevin Molino for a word to the public on his indiscretion as regards his breaking camp to attend the boat party. Two days later, he was at it again:
If he was, it didn’t last long.
He wasn’t really sorry then?
Once the “basement” window was cracked and the draft began it’s first seep of cold air (last camp break), it was a matter of time before its hold on the spirit and psyche of all in the entire “room” were embalmed and mummified.
Oh gosh Kevin …. I can’t back you on this one .??
Again? See this is why our football can’t reach anywhere ….we lack soo much discipline ..I think players like this tend to have a mentality that says “I reach where I am going” you know there are higher levels of football right ? Like a world cup finals ..ya know ?just because u a national player and play with a club abroad doesn’t mean that’s it.. Y’all can reach new heights as a football nation …but no cause party running away …going d ppl party to rank of ya football status….it have players who win world cup already maybe don’t party as much..jus saying…I ain’t bashing nobody …but ik we can do better than this … Cause u know u can’t do that shit with your club…be discipline and maybe u might not have to come back and make a name in d pro league
Well after watching their performance against the Dominican Republic the other night I don’t know if they will be achieving anything nah even with Molino because the football that my second sweetest country the America,,Mexico, etc, etc,is playing it is all about speed, with plenty ball control (Touches) and scoring plenty goals, so they better get their acts together in a quick timing because we won’t be going to any World Cup anymore for a very long time. Them really good yes.
Does Trinidad and Tobago really need more examples that this kind of behavior doesn’t lead to success?
I thought we had plenty already. It cost Dwight Yorke his Manchester United career, T&T accomplished nothing in the heyday of Yorke and Latas because their coaches then couldn’t control them, for all Lara’s brilliance the West Indies were sliding under his indisciplined captaincy… throw in Kerwin Jemmott, Arnold Dwarika, etc…
But allyuh think having Molino in the team behaving like that can actually help the Soca Warriors achieve something?
??????
I remember Latapy reminiscing about his career in an interview. The shocker – HIS biggest regret was not being disciplined and applying himself as a national player under Rene Simoes. Think he & Yorke walked out the team then
..Lasana. Trinis have an indestructible, infinite, capacity for self-delusion and bull shit. No surprise that some people are going through such ridiculous gymnastics to defend Molino’s foolishness. The Trump principle was invented in Trini. LOL..
I thought Trotman death would have put an end to that nonsense. I was wrong like an o
costa lost in the quarter finals in the last WC so they looking to build on that success so they are going allout to ensure that
Costa Rica beat Russia in Moscow yesterday, 4 – 3. Whilst we struggling to beat Martinique. Those other teams in the Hex are much better prepared than us; more advanced as well. As coach Keith said, the road is tough ahead in the Hex.
Lol struggling to beat Martinique? We lose to them lol
has talent, but no dedication or respect for his team… a team is as strong as it weakest link right now he looking like the weakest link…. wud never amount to anything if he continues
That sound of sweet soca can make any man dotish.
I just waiting on somebody to say ‘boys will be boys’. The behaviour that men are allowed to get away with…smh
They acting like little boys. Men have responsibilities
Nah man like yuh eh see how they does have the big truck park up outside the stadium eh with plenty music boxes eh and even when we loose the game eh is plenty partying the same way down the Las Vegas trip ( Arapita Ave) eh, yuh cudda swear we won the game yes, so the only thing will wuk is let them bus up their guns before every game nah man hahahaha
Who advising this youth? Smh
With thinking like that I hope he doesn’t play for T&T ever again
Bus’ ah win’ first, but consult the AG and the special forces soldiers before bussing any kinda gun. Like them know ’bout gun bussin’.
Lacks discipline, the characteristic needed the most…
Hmph we will never reach with these men oui
You must feel it for Coach Hart after the loss to Martinique last night. he now had to come up with a totally new strategy for World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup.
????????? buss gun… den buss net… i like it Earl Mango Pierre!!! ????
I was going to ask uncle Earl what he meant eh, but thought better of it…lol
??????
Hence the reason why my Brazilians are great dribblers eh, especially Ronaldinho and Robininho eh, because they like plenty dancing and having a great time before the games eh, and that is the same way that I mehself use to drop it back in meh playing days eh, i just use to dribble down everybody and don’t even score eh ah just use to lay of the ball for meh other teammates to score fuss ah was deadly with the ball and scoring plenty goals was to easy for me eh hahahaha
?
Yuh know it is funny that you posted that video eh because I lay down on my bed last night thinking how to get thru to the players like Kevin Nash Molino who really likes to fete eh and this is what I came up with, maybe Coach Hart and the TTFA management needs to bring the party to the hotel yes, the 4 days before every game and let the players have a good time with their women/wives/supporters and then they all can rent their own hotel rooms to love up and bust their guns eh, well at least they will never be putting their lives in jeopardy going any boatrides and partying outside of the camp and be in any danger like what happened to Keron Ballpest Cummings eh. Them really good yes.
Their managers are hangers-on who tells them what they want to hear
When will they ever learn….always have to screw up a good thing.