Latapy selects T&T U-15s for Cayman tourney; five newcomers force their way into squad

Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 coach Russell Latapy has selected a 20-member to compete at the Cayman Airways U-15 Invitational Youth Football Cup, which runs from 2 to 5 May in George Town, Cayman Islands.

The young Soca Warriors are deputising for Fatima College, who were initially booked to compete but withdrew earlier this month.

Photo: The Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 Team players pose before kick off against a Republic Bank XI at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 15 April 2017. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: The Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 Team players pose before kick off against a Republic Bank XI at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 15 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Other participants at the Cayman Cup include: Alchemy (USA), Bahamas Tottenham Hotspur FC (Bahamas), Cavalier SC (Jamaica), La Ceiba FC (Honduras), DC United (USA), Harbour View FC (Jamaica), Houston Dynamo Academy (USA), IMG Academy (USA), Manchester City FC (England) and the Cayman Islands and Cuba National Under-15 Teams.

“Regarding the final squad selection, I think my coaching staff and I have assessed these players over the past few weeks with some level of detail,” Latapy told the TTFA Media, “and we’ve come up with a squad that is balanced and comprising of talented young boys who are developing a good understanding for the game at this level.

“Our job now is to continue to nurture them. We will continue to monitor the entire pool and there will be adjustments in the future because the doors are not closed on any player.”

Latapy’s charges have played two games against zonal teams already, as they downed a Republic Bank XI—nominally a North Zone Under-15 Team—by three goals to one on 15 April before routing a Southern Football Association XI 8-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 22 April.

St James Secondary forward Jean-Heim McFee notched a first half hattrick for Trinidad and Tobago while Jaiye Sheppard, Ezekiel Kesar, Justin Araujo-Wilson, Zachery Welch and Macai Peters chipped in a goal apiece.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 playmaker Josiah Edwards (right) tries to escape from Republic Bank XI defender Nathan Guy (centre) while his teammate Keron Manswell looks on during action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 15 April 2017. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 playmaker Josiah Edwards (right) tries to escape from Republic Bank XI defender Nathan Guy (centre) while his teammate Keron Manswell looks on during action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 15 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

“The game on Saturday against the SFA invitational was another valuable exercise in the sense that it allowed us to have the boys in a game situation,” said Latapy, “which is again, preparation for the international tournament in the Cayman Islands and then the CONCACAF championship in August.

“It was good to see the chances being taken and the victory being a comprehensive one. But in saying that, we know that the matches will be different when we head out and we will prepare for this.”

Interestingly, five players forced their way into Latapy’s ranks through the exhibition matches over the past week. Defenders N’Kosi Corbin and Daniel Lake and midfielder Darian Bradshaw, who all played for the Republic Bank XI that stretched the young Warriors, will travel to the Cayman Islands.

Sheppard, who plays just behind the striker, also impressed on the weekend—after joining the team from Tobago—along with young Malabar Secondary goalkeeper Kahlil Oliver.

The full Under-15 Team is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Jaheim Wickham (St Anthony’s College), Kahlil Oliver (Malabar Secondary);

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 midfielder Jabari Lee (right) tries to evade a challenge from Republic Bank XI midfielder Randy Antoine during action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 15 April 2017. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-15 midfielder Jabari Lee (right) tries to evade a challenge from Republic Bank XI midfielder Randy Antoine during action at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 15 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

Defenders: Ephraim Brown (Pleasantville Secondary), Antonio Chee Ting (Trinity College East), Micai Peters (El Dorado West Secondary), Tristan Caesar (Pleasantville Secondary), N’Kosi Corbin (Belmont Boys Secondary), Daniel Lake (Mucurapo West Secondary), Luke Savery (St Mary’s College);

Midfielders: Jarique Williams (St Anthony’s College), Ezekiel Kesar (Naparima College), Jabari Lee (San Fernando East Secondary), Darian Bradshaw (Queen’s Royal College);

Attacking midfielders: Matthew De Souza (Trinity College East), Tyrese Pierre (Queen’s Royal College), Josiah Edwards (Brazil High School), Jaiye Sheppard (Scarborough Secondary), Zachary Welch (Fatima College);

Forwards: Jean-Heim Mc Fee (St James Secondary), Justin Araujo-Wilson (Fatima College).

More from Wired868
“A good experience”; Boyce claims “tough group” and missed “KPIs” in T&T U14 review

Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-14 Team head coach Randolph Boyce said his troops were placed in a tough group, Read more

T&T U14s brushed aside 4-1 by Haiti; young Warriors face do-or-die clash with French Guiana next

Trinidad and Tobago suffered their first loss of the 2026 CFU U-14 Boys Challenge Series today, as they were brushed Read more

Salandy scores on debut, but T&T U14s held 1-1 by Puerto Rico

There was an early goal and a late attacking flurry, but in the end, Trinidad and Tobago had to settle Read more

Boyce names T&T U-14 squad; all 18 players picked from colleges, with 10 City FC selections

Trinidad and Tobago Boys National U-14 Team head coach Randolph Boyce announced his 18-member squad for the 2026 CFU U-14 Read more

Latapy: The problem with T&T football—accountability is not just for players and coaches, it’s for administrators too!

“[…] At the heart of my concern are two critical areas that I believe continue to affect the progress of Read more

Kieron: ‘I’ve not been able to reach Yorke’; inside the Yorke-TTFA axis—and what next

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards has denied that Soca Warriors head coach Dwight Yorke and his Read more

Check Also

“A good experience”; Boyce claims “tough group” and missed “KPIs” in T&T U14 review

Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-14 Team head coach Randolph Boyce said his troops were …

One comment

  1. I still think there are players who were sidelined as they already knew who they wanted. The screening was a sham.

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.