Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Trinidad and Tobago playmaker Kevin Molino is supposedly set for a one-year self-imposed exile from the Soca Warriors, which will rule him out of his country’s upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras on 11 and 15 November 2016 respectively.
Molino was dropped from the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team squad to face Martinique in a 2017 Caribbean Cup qualifier yesterday for a breach of discipline.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Wired868 was informed that coach Stephen Hart made the decision after the Orlando City midfielder allegedly snuck out of camp to party in Port of Spain last Friday, which would be the second such infraction by the former East Mucurapo schoolboy in roughly a month.
The Warriors lost 2-0 in extra time last night and were eliminated from the Caribbean Cup, although they can still get to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup through a play off series.
But, according to an Orlando Sentinel report, Molino apparently threatened to withdraw his services from the Trinidad and Tobago squad after a Snapchat post in which he vowed to take “a year off from national team competition to focus on training”.
Hart has not made a public pronouncement on whether Molino would face further sanction for his indiscretion—beyond the game missed in Martinique—and it is likely that the coach will meet Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams before arriving at a final decision.
Molino seems set to act first. A spokesman for the Orlando City club suggested, according to the Sentinel, that the talented attacking midfielder would make a statement on the incident tomorrow.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
It is uncertain whether Molino’s vow to take time off national duty was conveyed to Hart or if it was actually the coach’s idea in the first place.
Either way, it appears that the Trinidad and Tobago playmaker may not wait on the TTFA and could decide on his own international future first.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Safeguarding manager Gary St Rose has defended the integrity of the local body’s operation Read more
The Soca Warriors will face USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which will be their third meeting in the Read more
Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker passed away today at the age of 82. Beenhakker won three titles at the helm of Read more
“[…] You’d be lucky to find five kids who can name five national players they admire. The conversations have vanished. Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) has confirmed the Soca Warriors’ participation in the 2025 Unity Cup, an ‘Afro-Caribbean Read more
“[…] The administration should set in place a programme to begin teaching the youngsters the technical aspects of the game. Read more
Disappointed
But not surprised
End of him. His partying will destroy him. The cash will done.
Nigel Nick Justin..little boy mentality continues…but it’s interesting to see that everyone commenting is calling him out on his shit ?
Take the rest of your career off. Asshole
I hear what everyone is saying, but cannot help but feel that the mind set of our people is to punish for indiscretions. We do not take the time to try to understand why people choose the poor decisions they make. Taking a year off without professional counseling and guidance will do nothing to change the young man’s mindset. It is a good way to step back and reflect, but he clearly needs professional help if he is to be an asset to our team. The TTFA have a responsibility to at least try.
I noted this earlier and i also believe disciplinary matters should not solely fall on head coach. Length of suspension, fine amount, counseling should be recommended by disciplinary committee.
I’m sorry Bruce…I strongly disagree, as this is a culture within the senior national men’s team since 1989…we have seen Yorke and latapy et al since then…and that behaviour has continued…so this culture needs to be stamped out…a lots of good players have thrown away their careers by indiscipline…a professional footballer doesnt need counselling to tell him that he cant break camp and go to party…sorry…the rules are there for a reason and for all….let him be…time we stamp out the indiscipline by taking a tough stand…we have always backed down and been soft on them to our football’s demise…look at what happened to Dwight Yorke at Manchester when he stayed back to lime after a match…it cost him his place at that club…didnt Molino see and learn from that…we would be wasting scarce financial resource on counselling players who just want to fete and party…
he is a paid professional…let him use his money and pay for counselling if he realises he needs it…otherwise we are wasting our time…
Unlike some sports and athletes based at home. It is a but more complex to deal with footballers from our shores plying there trade abroad for them receive counselling and professional help. They aren’t at home long enough at times and when they are the timing may not coincide with when the act was made. Our federations also are not in a position to outsource these services. I unless this was a career ending situation it may be difficult to offer.
What attitude can one achieve in one year that one can’t achieve in one hour?
Time to grow up, you are not bigger than the team.
You would of never do your club what you do your country ,go on we was winning more games with out you
Want to be wrong and strong like pp
If this is indeed his response … he needs to rethink his attitude, advisors and circle of friends … after leaving the coach and management no other option …!
All the talent in the world but not a single ounce of discipline is of no use to us brother. Good luck and God speed.
Bye Kevin
Lol that is when he feel he reach? to me in the same shoe like kenwyn Jones. Take 2 years na man Milano stueps pathetic set of humans wi
GREAT!!!!!!!!!
Kevin i’m very disappointed in you put country first!! Is country got you at Orlando….I know it’s possible that it have other implications involved in what has taken place, but put your country first player!!!
Hell no …… you go into battle with souljas not primadonnas. He’s arrogant and clearly thinks he’s beyond team rules. Be gone!!
One man doesnt make a team. How do you make a generalisation like that based on the action of a few players? You weed out the bad apples and move forward …it’s called dressing room management
Who told this clown that he’s so important to say he taking a year off??? Who the hell he think he is?
Fella you need a wake up call, I hope they never call you again
My sentiments exactly.
Actually he is.. and is one of our best players but i agree to the fact that he is acting like a clown and if i was hart i would have not call him up again as long i am coaching the national team. This is utter disrespect and undisciplined. What are we teaching the younger ones? He is my player but just lost all my respect. Sad to see.
He lost all importance in my book
Yea he lost my respect. I just wish was kenwyne with this action and not him lol
All I’m saying is that all these people who commenting will be cussing Hart et al in a months time when Costa Rica hit us. Have some moderation and move on. I wonder how his teammates feel about this.
he is no YORK POOR PLAYER
The coach said his teammates ostracized the three players after the last incident. Clearly two of the players learned their lesson. But not the third.
Wow!!! If that is true, then his ego is inflated
And what did team accomplish while Yorkie and Latas were breaking curfew?
Latas
Wait wait. How many times Yorkie and latest break curfew in their times. Let us moderate and get him back in the fold. Young people will make mistakes…more than once.
What they did was wrong setting bad example for the next generation like Mr mollino is trying to be wrong and strong which he should be humble atleast
Dustin Cameron if this was his first offence, I would have agreed with you but he did it about a month ago, was fined, supposedly appologised to his team mates…….and a month later doing it again……..So far the coach nor the TTFA has said anything about a ban…….but he jumps out on social media and says that he taking a year off from international football to focus on his club duties……..i think the onus is now on him to sort this out not the coach or TTFA!
Great good radiance go get wise up on discipline
Last time I asked why Mr Hart tactics at home was so defensive,I got all the brilliant answers that Mr Hart knows his players better than anyone,I said again that these players actions are premeditated when they break camp and that Mr Hart has lost the dressing room,again men on the forum said they were fined and its water under the bridge,I am still listening and wondering if I am really lost to what is happening with our national senior team
Damn, he broke curfew twice??? Hope he had a good reason. No one man is bigger than the game
What would be a good reason? His birthday?
He is the best player ATM
So like it or not. That hitting hart hard…
Hart attack ???
Not as a player, never disrespected the team, all issues in his own time
Bye Felicia.
Lol… Like I in d twilight zone!… weren’t we having a similar discussion about national pride concerning some younger players also?… like is a sickness?… Red, White and Black means nothing anymore!!
Good point.
Exactly !!!
For just a few Shawn.. Only a few
A team must have discipline…period!
Terry Frnwick what did England do with the scores of indiscretions with Gazza?
and don’t 4 get lasana that money getting taxed and taking out for housing etc
Taxed yes. Housing it depends on what deal was negotiated.
exactly
Shawn, the MLS is one of the few leagues in the world that are transparent with their salaries.
Molino made a pretty decent US$121,400.00 for the last year. It’s nothing compared to what the likes of Kenwyne Jones would have made in Europe. But it is nothing to snuff at if he saves well.
The other annual salaries for our MLS players are Cordell Cato (US$114,166.67), Mekeil Williams (US$85,000) and Joevin Jones (US$76,166.67).
Che, Terence and Brent, for anyone who thinks that agents don’t matter… Tell them to look at what Joevin is earning and then look at what Mekeil Williams is earning in his first season in the MLS.
No disrespect to Mekeil. But attacking players of the quality of Joevin usually earn more than central defenders.
Source: https://www.mlsplayers.org/images/May%2015,%202016%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf
Dennis Allen
This was Kaka’s annual salary btw: US$7,167,500.00.
the MLS has a different structure. Factor in that US income tax is around 30% that $100k starts to dim…
Kaka was overpaid in Europe as well…so once again testimony to the strength of a good pitchman!
Because kaka played in some of the biggest league in the world,that’s why he’s paid that kind of money, like u on drugs lasana
That’s why MLS is all marketing. In Mexico they spread that budget over quality players even on the bench. Teams filled with players from Boca, River, Nacional, Sao Paulo, Corinthians, etc
And don’t forget he played for Brazil for years
I’ve seen Mollino’s goals for Orlando. They are top notch. The kid is a legit talent. He will go far. This episode will not help his cause. I can see many top managers looking at this issue and saying he’s not worth the net risk
Please lasana, don’t start me, try u best, u will compare molino with kaka in his prime
Agents do matter, Cato is a very good example of this…… For those who have followed the progress of these 4 players, Cato did not even make the U20 WC Egypt team, he was not really on the radar of the National teams, yet his Agent was able to make things happen. With this he has been able to more or less secure a spot on the Senior Team. These players are are young enough to improve their conditions and their earnings. Staying on the MLS and the US also is part of the mental mindset and shortcoming of players, close to home, familiarity of people around us, language…. Regardless, I will always be proud of what these young men have achieved, not many will appreciate the backgrounds from which they have come. I hope and pray that good sense prevails, and that those that can, try and reach out to Molino and others.
Che Abrams Mekeil went to play in Guatemala. He did all the right things. He was very good for Colorado too up to his injury.
Kaka is the prototypical “white” Brazilian player: skill to burn. all the tabs ticked. no magic.
Cato’s agent must be good because he’s mediocre at best. Not sure why he’s still in the MLS… Molino and Joevin are really talented players but talent only takes you that far.
Simone Ghirlanda I know, Aubrey also played in Costa Rica….
Che Abrams Personally I work extremely hard for my players. Do you guys have any idea what they think in Mexico or Costa Rica of Caribbean players? I mean that in a negative way. It’s like climbing mountains to get them there.
Che, u right about where they come from and where they are today, but on a real note, if they are that good why bigger teams not after them, come on bro
Simone i’d love to hear what the road say about T&T and Caribbean players in MEX
And Mekeil has housing paid for. And other perks if he played 70% of games as starter. Remember Colorado Rapids had to buy him from Antigua/W Connection so the budget invested was not low for MLS defenders standards.
Simone Ghirlanda I have heard only good things of your work. And I do know that it is really difficult to break into the Mexican and SA Market….
Dennis Allen Simply there has never been a market in Mexico for Caribbean players. As I mentioned in Liga MX and Ascenso the market is for South American players. They hardly even consider Costaricans or Hondurans.
These players is good enough for where they are playing now, maybe with improvement in the future and some more experience they may move to bigger leagues, as we speak at this moment,they not ready for the big leagues
Eric Bandy Thomas it is more than being good. One of our major problems is that European Teams usually have their players on radar from an early age, our players tend to peak at a older age, by that time, the bigger clubs have their players… A player at 24 in Europe would have already represented their country and Club many times. So unless a 20 something year old player is exceptionally talented, no chance.
Dennis Allen And interesting enough, the obstacles I found in Mexico and Costa Rica are stereotypes. They believe Caribbean players are unrealiable, like to party, have little concentration, and live on burst of speed/natural talent. After 2 years working closely with Caribbean players, I realize there is some foundation in what they think.
Your reply answer all my reason that our players not ready for the big leagues, messi is from Argentina, do u remember the age he went to Spain into basa Academy,come on bro
Bandy, I don’t know you fellah. You should calm down. If you can find the post where I compared Molino to Kaka then please produce it.
I was speaking to Jomo I. Johnson said Molino is making lots of money with Kaka at Orlando. And I said Kaka is making lots of money but not necessarily Molino.
So take it down a couple notches fellah.
Simone Ghirlanda, for that contract you got Mekeil you deserve your commission bro!
My comparison is how much he making, which someone said he making good money, 121,000.00 us a year compare to making 80,000.00 pounds are week in Europe
And where did I say he’s making good money compared to Europe, Bandy?
but Eric there’s no European team scouting any of these players and looking to jump out that money.
If Levi continues his rise i can see an offer in La Liga or Serie A on his horizon. That’s been a career arc for many top Dutch players. but who’s making that jump from MLS to 80k a week in EPL? Nobody. ever.
Forget 80 a week. The only T&T players who ever got close to that was Dwight and Kenwyne. (Although Dwight would get much more if he was around today).
If you get about 20 a week, you have done very well for yourself.
…if Stern didn’t blow that knee…
Stern made good money though. Behind only Dwight at one point. And of course Kenwyne.
I never said u said he making good money lasana, i said someone in the chat said that, u go back and u will see who said that
Dennis, u know why European teams not scouting these players, because they not good enough to play in Europe, that’s it bro
im not buying that argument Eric. “good enough” is relative to the amount of exposure a player has had to the highest level elite competition. if we cyar beat lower level teams consistently we will never place T&T players in the best leagues.
Look at Nigeria—350 listed players abroad. How many of those are in the top leagues? USA? Mexico? Canada? Can T&T beat any of those sides 3 times out of ten? Let’s be real here.
Ok Simone Ghirlanda explanation of the stereotype nailed it… moving along… nothing to see here… ?
Dennis Allen Can T&T beat Costa Rica and Honduras?
In our history, the most difficult team for Trinidad and Tobago in all of CONCACAF has been Costa Rica.
We have defeated Honduras multiple times before including in Honduras. But it will still be a tall ask.
Costa Rico and Honduras have had a sustained youth development program over the last 6 years. They have preferred Argentine coaching procedures and disciplines, their results over the last 4 years speak for themselves!
I suspect we have a chance at home if we prepare properly, I don’t however have faith in our preparation program. I am not confident we can get a result out of these games.
My personal opinion.
Terence William Fenwick Just like Mexico imports coaches from Argentina. Instead in MLS they mostly use local coaches. It shows.
Simone Ghirlanda yes I agree
Dennis Allen Agree with you. There is such a pool of talent out there why waste time on the likes of Molino who screwed himself for a stupid party.
Well said tinto, what is well paid jomo, well paid is making 80,000.00 a week in Europe
I wonder which country he will represent at a World Cup? he feels he is so gifted that he will be selected by some big club…exposure at Intl level could have carried him so far…small mind…we can do without d indiscipline he brings…let him go and party for his club…
Why u leaving Orlando city when u getting well paid and u playing with kaka every week? ?
Ahmm. He isn’t that well paid eh. Kaka is.
Lasana didn’t u post the salaries….I think he was getting like 80 a week
Nah. That was a year. He got a raise though. So it is around 10 a month now.
He should take each year off, for the next 15 years.
no ambition lasana they in a comfort zone in that crap league why risk going europe when your close 2 home so you can run home all the time
You might want to leave out a letter in home…not saying which one eh ? lol
ha ha ha ha yes I know the important letter 2 leave out brian
I took a while to figure that out yes. Ah shame! Lol
but brian it have plenty of that in europe and it legal
Nah Lasana…you lie! Knowing you yuh must be over think it lol and good point Dion but no one can wine like a Trini eh ?
South America leagues better than the mls by far
Mexico is top nowdays
I’m just telling you based on his performances for T&T. I can’t tell you why our current players are not fulfilling their potential. For me, it is a joke that Joevin Jones is in the MLS. He is good enough to play in Europe. But it is if he is mentally strong enough and ambitious enough.
Yup he was axed from he Serie A trial lest than a week in, we all know he has what it takes to be out there, but apparently he doesn’t. He is to Trinidad what Mahrez is to Leicester City.
First of all he playing in one of the worst soccer league
If he is all that, how come he not playing for bigger mls franchise
Because international competition is fierce . He’s a good player and he’s still young. I think he has a bright future once he can buckle down and play to his best.
One of the reasons why Kevin and Joevin, two of our better players are playing in the MLS, in my opinion is the vision of their agent, and to a certain extent the comfort zone of the players being in the US. This should not take away from their abilities. Given the opportunity they could compete in Europe
Forget vision of agent if u good, big teams will come after u, regardless of agent or where u playing,so don’t talk that crap about agent
Eric Bandy Thomas he was actually referred to AC Milan by Kaká, same person who also said he has what it takes to make it in Europe. He is an undoubtable talent but a despicable young man.
Aaron, be real man, ok kaka referred him to Ac Milan and what, so u don’t think that they would of take a look at him, and if he was that good for them they would of take him bro
Eric Bandy Thomas point taken, even if u don’t think much of him, his stats are astounding for country, so he is indeed an assets to T&T national team.
I won’t go so far as to call him despicable Aaron. But good point. Kaka did speak highly of him. And just higher up the thread, Bandy was saying how much he thinks of Kaka. 😉
Aaron, am not saying molino don’t have talent, but be real, he’s not ready to play in the big leagues in Europe
Seem like no one is taking into consideration what the player himself wants.
Molino is our most effective number 10 since Latapy. The stats back that up too. His talents will be missed.
Lasana I have to disagree here…Molino hasn’t done anything to warrant his place in the team, much less impress anyone since coming back from his injury…a hat trick against minnows notwithstanding. The couple games he played in the qualifiers since coming back were poor…I vote to call his bluff and give him a few years off
I’m talking about his international career on the whole Carlon. He is in a bad patch of late. Everyone agrees on that. But we have been short of playmakers since Latapy and I think he has been the most effective, even though he is a better finisher than he is a creator.
Can you think of a better 10 over the past decade?
Being short of playmakers shouldn’t mean we take the next underperforming pretender. If we want to give him the benefit of the doubt based on past performances that’s another discussion…but presently he doesn’t merit a spot on the team other than by default if we’re forcing the playmaker thing. The team could sure do with some workmen in the middle rather than self proclaimed primadonnas
Now you will have to find where I said we should take him back or put up with his antics, Carlon. I said he was our most effective 10 since Latapy. And he will be missed. That’s all.
Don’t agree that he wasn’t effective , unless you all referring to goal scoring. Not sure the coach would have picked him if he was underperforming or in effective.
Ineffective…
Ball pest!!!!!
Come on che, how u could say that there is no one to fill his shoes, who is Kevin
No player is ever bigger than the sport……Molino you have done Trinidad and Tobago a favour by staying away….with that attitude and lack of discipline you are not sure to reach much further, many before you tried it and have dropped off don’t know why you think you are any different.
Who is advising this young man? Despite the negatives, Kevin is one of the best we have, given the time frame no one is going to be able to fill his boots……
Wow! Who the fudge does this guy think he is, this is the start, we will be reading more destructive articles on Molino who clearly can’t control himself. MLS will uphold core values and disciplinary measures to ensure the good name of their clubs and governing body is upheld!
What will we do here in T&T, aww it’s our culture? He’s allowed a mistake? Steups? Time we got real!
Unless he just posted without thinking, which does happen a lot on the social media. I’m curious to hear what he says when he has time to compose himself and make a statement.
Set himself up ?
He hasn’t got an agent, someone to direct him?
Hard to guide someone who just sends out a social media post without thinking. Ask Donald Trump’s team! Lol.
I would like to know what his friends he was in the club with thought about this now that they kill the golden goose. Who going to buy drinks when he end up like Hardest and sweating on the block again?
Molino’s self-imposed exile started the night he went to the club.
Molino missed close to a year through injury and we did really well. It would be better to have his talents. But Hart has to find a way to return to what worked during the last Gold Cup when we didn’t have Molino.
And we have an extra weapon now with Levi.
I think this is a blessing in disguise …. we have some extra games for more experience and a chance for another player to step up. There are hungry players that wouldnt get time because of Molino and Hart wouldn’t have dropped him unless it came to something like this. I’m not ready to give up on this team yet or my coach.
I dn’t think Hart had a choice because behaviour like that can be very disruptive to a team in any sport