Cyrus, Cato and Dillon join T&T squad for Panama friendly; Judah set to feature

Versatile defender Daneil Cyrus, speedy flanker Cordell Cato and towering forward Nicholas Dillon will be the only overseas-based players in the Trinidad and Tobago squad on Tuesday evening when the Soca Warriors tackle Panama in friendly action from 7:30pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Neither team will be at full strength since the match falls outside the FIFA international match calendar and clubs are not obliged to release players to take part.

Cyrus is in his second season with Honduras First Division club Juticalpa while Cato is employed with second-tier USA club Charlotte Independence and the 21-year-old Dillon represents Patro Eisden Maasmechelen in the Belgium Amateur Division.

Dillon, a former National Under-20 player, is uncapped at senior international level.

“The team is shaping up nicely and, with the addition of Dillon, it gives us another huge option in the attack,” head coach Dennis Lawrence told the TTFA Media. “We did not expect many foreign-based players to be available for this match as it falls outside the FIFA window, so when we got information on his availability, it was an easy decision to have him join the training squad.”

The Panama clash is likely to present an opportunity for some of the younger players to get a senior run-out and Lawrence hinted that Shiva Boys Hindu College playmaker Judah Garcia had played himself into contention.

However, the former World Cup 2006 player is hoping for a solid collective showing.

“A good team performance, will bring the result [and] that’s what I am looking for,” said Lawrence. “[…] We have individuals with a lot of talent—even young Judah Garcia has been impressive in training—but against an organised opponent like Panama, team is key.”

(Trinidad and Tobago 24-man training squad)

Goalkeepers: Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Andre Marchan (Defence Force), Marvin Phillip (Pt Fortin Civic);

Defenders: Alvin Jones, Maurice Ford, Triston Hodge (all W Connection), Daneil Cyrus (Juticalpa—Honduras), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Taryk Sampson, Jameel Neptune (both Central FC);

Midfielders: Nathaniel Garcia, Justin Sadoo (both Pt Fortin Civic), Rhondel Gibson (Central FC), Judah Garcia (Shiva Boys Hindu College), Kevon Goddard (W Connection), Jared London (Club Sando);

Attacking midfielders: Cordell Cato (Charlotte Independence—USA), Reon Moore, Hashim Arcia (both Defence Force), Isaiah Hudson (W Connection), Kathon St Hillaire (St Ann’s Rangers);

Forwards: Marcus Joseph (W Connection), Akeem Roach (Unattached), Nicholas Dillon (Patro Eisden Maasmechelen—Belgium).