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Trinidad and Tobago 2014 Player of the Year, Kevin Molino, will miss the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament and the start of the “Soca Warriors” Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign after suffering a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee on Saturday night.
Looking on (third from left) is Orlando attacker and former FIFA Player of the Year, Kaka.
(Copyright Alex Menendez/AFP 2015)
Molino, who represents United States Major League Soccer (MLS) team Orlando City SC, sustained the injury in a friendly match against Brazilian Seria A club Ponte Preta and will also miss the rest of the MLS season.
Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team coach Stephen Hart wished Molino a full recovery from the sad setback.
“This is extremely sad for Kevin,” Hart told the TTFA Media. “This is always difficult for a young player now attempting to establish his career. I wish him the very best and a full recovery.
“The Gold Cup is less important than his ability to return to the game at the most appropriate time.”
Molino said he was devastated by the injury but vowed to bounce back like several of his compatriots, including Warriors captain Kenwyne Jones, who overcame similar ordeals.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“It’s devastating but this is the game,” said Molino. “I’ve known players who’ve had serious knee injuries before like Carlos (Edwards), Kenwyne (Jones), Cornell (Glen) and most recently Robert Primus and they came back from it.
“By the grace of God, hopefully I will be back and be able to continue my career and push on to becoming the player I’ve been aiming to be.”
Compatriot Dr Mario John, a Trinidad and Tobago orthopaedic surgeon based in Orlando, will monitor Molino’s condition as the midfielder prepares for surgery in just over a week.
Molino is a two-time MVP in the United States’ second tier league while, in his debut MLS season, he is already among the league leaders in chances created. He has tallied one assist in seven games for Orlando and is a regular starter alongside former FIFA World Player of the Year and Brazil attacker, Kaka.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Molino scored in a crucial 2-0 Gold Cup win over Honduras, two years ago, as Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the knockout out round of the tournament for only the second time. And his impending absence is a huge blow for the Warriors, who are already reeling from key injuries.
Hughtun Hector, who is employed by Vietnam club Hanoi T&T, is also out injured while former Signal Hill schoolboy Keon Daniel has not played since he went AWOL two years ago. It means that, from the four playmakers used by Hart in competitive action, only Central FC attacker Ataulla Guerra is available.
If Hart persists with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, Point Fortin Civic forward Marcus Joseph, DIRECTV W Connection playmaker Hashim Arcia, Central’s Sean De Silva and the North East Stars pair of Duane Muckette and Keron Cummings will be among the main contenders for the vacant post.
Central forward Willis Plaza or Connection attacker Shahdon Winchester can also be played behind a main striker, just as Hart used India-based veteran Cornell Glen to good effect at at the 2013 Gold Cup, while Chicago Fire utility player Joevin Jones, usually a left back with the Warriors, can also be given a more offensive assignment.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Conversely, Hart could abandon the idea of a midfield general and opt for a 4-3-3 system with three conventional midfield players and two wingers alongside a centre forward, who is again likely to be Cardiff City forward, Jones.
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Yes. That is another option. Discussed that recently with Kirwin Weston
What about trying Joevin Jones in Molino’s role? I know his Finland club and Chicago Fire has always played him at left-back or left-wing, just like coach Hart does. But I have always been of the view that he is too good for TT to play him in that position.
Thus i see Kevin Nash Molino absence as chance to see if Joevin can replicate his W Connection mid-field exploits with the national team. Let Aubrey David or maybe Keon Goodrige play left-back.
I believe that the team needed something to wake it up – this is as good as can be. Last game versus Jamaica, Molino played and didn’t show at all. He missed the game versus Cuba in our 0-0 draw (I believe this to be so). Clearly, what needs to be done is recollect our thoughts and assess the player pool and “strategize” for each of the up-coming opposition. With Molino out, we might have been thinking of K. Jones on the bench, but now, he’s back in the starting lineup. Of course, it is not as simple as this but the truth is, with or without Kevin, the assignments are part of a tall order.
Kurtwyn Baird Lol as I said that I know that yourself and Dion Sosa knows the players and as you know ah getting oldzimers so cannot remember all the names of our players eh, but when it comes to being the bestest Manager with respect to organizing and getting things done behind the scene eh and as you know that is my passion we will put a team on that field that will have folks saying WOW ent.
Lol! Earl Mango Pierre I have Silas Spann who is in tremendous playing form for the past couple of years here under my guidance with me
You see there are players home and abroad that don’t really get their chances to be seen or the opportunity to represent our sweet country for one reason or the other eh and that is really an unfortunate thing eh, when Papa Everad ‘Gally” Cummings had his Strike Squad team back in the days there was a A team and a B team and oooguudddddd if yuh see the exceptional players on both teams eh, so I know that our Coaches head does be hutting them when it comes time to pick a well rounded national team and maybe this does also go for all other national teams in all other countries all over the World ent.
Hahaa I see
Roneil K Walcott hhahahaha as I said that will be a surprise because my Coaches Kurtwyn Baird and Dion Sosa will pick them and of course there might be changes in my selections to.
Where are the defenders?
And all I have to offer my players is $10, 000 each and it is a done deal. Them really good yes.
Lasana Liburd you asked me before to name the team that I will put together right now to beat up our present National team well my senior professional players will be leading the throops, Cornell Glen, Devon Jorsling, Marvin Oliver, Jason Scotland Densill Theobald, Carlos Edwards, Anton Wolfe, Gorean “Ratty” Highley, Wetman Sam, Marcus Gomez, Elton John, Darren Mitchell, Hashim Arcia the rest will be a surprise and I will be coming with my foreign base coach Kurtwyn Baird and Dion Sosa Asst Coach
And then we have my top goalscorer of our Pro League eh who also have plenty experience under his belt eh and he is not on the Gold Cup team. Them really really good yes.
Yeah my other prolific goalscorer who should also be leading the throops in the Gold Cup 2015 because nothing can beat experience. Them really good yes.
To many coaches and not enough supporters.
It was his buddy also from his home town Carenage Peltier that also had surgery on his knee, then Hector who also will be missing the Gold Cup and now Kevin Nash Molino really a huge loss of our two well needed players on the team. Get well soon Warriors.
huge loss……huge loss
Shitttt /:
Sebastien Cabral hmmm hardlucks Nash
Not about being old enough or young enough to me, it is about being good enough and having the right attitude.
Wasn’t Latapy about 39 when he helped T&T get to the 2006 World Cup? I’m not saying Oliver is a Latapy. But weren’t better served by using old man Latapy then as opposed to a younger player?
I don’t think there should be a hard and fast rule about age. Coaches shouldn’t feel nervous about picking whichever player they think will do the job.
If Hart feels that Cornell Glen can still outdo and outrun the young guns, I would have no problem with him getting a summons either.
I feel guerra is so accustom playin in second gear in d pro league…when d heat is turned at international…n he has to dig deep it gets difficult
But Joey Richardson, if the US allowed Jamaal Shabazz to re-enter after the coup and then travelling on a false passport, then Oliver can also get a restricted visa.
I agree with Sosa that it is better to use a younger player. But if we want to get to the second round and there isn’t a young player good enough, I would use him.
Tournaments are for winning games. Practice games are for blooding talent. So I can see it either way.
I am not dealing with names just the age factor
Playing a 39 year old will not be of any benefit to a scout or agent for club selection outside of our country however if he is an exceptional motivational player at international standard then why not?
Oliver might have visa issues he is still a good player in the midfield
And with respect to our players that are presently representing our pro league teams home and also abroad eh can you name any young player that can out shine Marvin Oliver right now eh, Dion Sosa?
No Dion, we should just bring back Latapy and Dwight. I can’t believe that there is a serious conversation about using a 39 year old player on the national team.
Dion Sosa hence the reason why my second bestest team in the universe won the World Cup 2014 and dropped 7 goals on meh team Brazil eh, was because of the older experience players on the team that all National teams much have to guide the younger upcoming players especially in our sweet country.
Lasana what use bringing in a 39 year old for that does not make any sense let a younger guy get a chance 2 gain some experience
Yeah because the boss Andrea Pirlo is 36 yrs old and still representing at the highest level so why can’t Marvin Oliver at 39 yrs old with all that experience under his belt.
Best Wishes to Molino for a swift recovery…this is a MAJOR blow to the National Team…I like your plan B Lasana…hopefully those names you called are playing regularly & match-fit!
I think if they go with a midfield three, Marvin Oliver can actually come into the reckoning on merit. But that’s just me.
So you have Guerra as an inverted winger Lasana?
Time to let my son prove himself one last time before he retires from the game. Them really good yes.
They can do away with a playmaker altogether and go with three central midfielders and two inverted wingers who come in off the line eh. That is a possible Plan B.
Then they can choose between Rundell, Peltier, Cato and maybe Marcus Joseph, Guerra and Akeem Garcia. What do you think Nigel Myers?
I forgot to mention Jomal Williams as a potential playmaker too. Although I don’t think he is quite ready yet for the Gold Cup level.
Hyland plays deeper. More defensive mid
Roneil K Walcott wappn to hyland?
Hopefully Guerra wont relax now that he is almost certain to be the team’s playmaker.
T&T needs Guerra to deliver more than ever.
Lordy!! What tough luck.
Hard luck Hot Boy. Dig deep. If only Guerra would consistently stamp his authority at the national level…
Read this last night and was saddened. Just unfortunate. What he offers to the team is virtually irreplaceable. This adds insult to injury after Hector’s loss. Hope he recovers well and gets back up to peak performance by next year.
Lawd
NASH…blessings from tnt..will add Hector to that.. tnt
It is wat it is as stuff like this happens all the time. The sad part to me would be Molino was one of our few rising stars at this point in time and a key player in our National squad a leader of sorts……….
Wishing the young man a speedy and full recovery.
Tough on molino…really tough…but at least we cud see what kind of depth we really have esp with wc qualifiers on the horizon
Get well so bro wish u a speedy recovery Kevin Nash Molino
Yes Shakira Thompson. In his debut MLS season to boot.
So unfortunate…