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Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team football coach Dwight Yorke assured supporters that the Soca Warriors will be ready for competitive action, despite today’s 4-0 loss to Ghana in the third-place playoff of the Unity Cup at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, London.
Ghana led 3-0 at the break and, although midfielder Duane Muckette hit the post for Trinidad and Tobago, the margin of victory did not flatter the African nation.
(via TTFA Media.)
Yorke suggested that the opening of the Fifa international match window tomorrow would help alleviate his team’s issues and promised “shocking” new additions to his team.
All four nations were understrength at the Unity Cup, which Nigeria won after edging Jamaica 5-4 on penalties.
“We will be ready for [the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series and the 2025 Gold Cup group stage matches],” said Yorke, in a post-match interview. “There is a new selection of players that are coming…. There are a lot of players who will come back once the window is fully open on 1 June.”
Although Yorke did not offer any names, attacker Levi Garcia, winger Tyrese Spicer, midfielders Ajani Fortune and Andre Rampersad and goalkeeper Denzil Smith are expected to rejoin the squad for next Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Saint Kitts and Nevis at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
CF Montreal attacker Dante Sealy is also in line for his international debut, should he join the Warriors next week. But Yorke suggested that inclusions in his upcoming squads will go beyond familiar names.
“I don’t think the public is aware of the recruitment and the level we are trying to get to since taking over the job between six and seven months [ago],” Yorke told the TTFA Media.
“[…] I know that not many people in Trinidad and Tobago are familiar with these names and I think a lot of people will get a real shock to the system. But because we have done our due diligence and we have done our research on players’ details, they have now come into the system.
(via CF Montreal.)
“There are a few eyebrows that will be raised… We are entering into a new era and we have been lucky and fortunate enough that they agreed to come and play for Trinidad and Tobago.”
Yorke said the Unity Cup outings, which included a 3-2 loss to Jamaica, helped him to learn about his squad and was a “great experience” for the Trinidad and Tobago players.
“We had to give the other players an opportunity to play,” said Yorke. “[…] It is very difficult to bring players this far and not give them the experience of playing. I won’t say my hands were forced but we had to give these players the chance to see if they were capable of playing [at this level].
(via TTFA Media.)
“It also gives me an indication of how strong the squad is and today was an indication of where we are and where we need to improve as well. It was always going to be a tough ask for us, especially some of the local lads who haven’t even been outside of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Yorke’s claim that “some of the local lads haven’t even been outside of Trinidad and Tobago” was an exaggeration. Of the 16 players used today, six are based overseas at present, another five have played abroad professionally—or, in forward Isaiah Lee’s case, as a foreign student.
Only three players from today’s starting team have never been employed abroad: right wingback Kaihim Thomas, goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire and left wingback Shervohnez Hamilton.
(via TTFA Media.)
Thomas represented Trinidad and Tobago abroad at Concacaf youth level and accompanied the Warriors on foreign trips under former head coach Angus Eve, and St Hillaire debuted for Yorke in Jamaica earlier this year.
Hamilton is the only player who never represented Trinidad and Tobago on foreign soil before today, although he did play abroad for Club Sando in the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield.
Thus far, Yorke has delivered when it mattered. Trinidad and Tobago have four losses and a draw from five friendly matches—but they won both of their competitive matches (home and away to Cuba).
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
He would hope to make that record three competitive wins on the trot next Friday against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“I know it’s not the result that we all wanted (against Ghana)—but in terms of experience, it tested the squad and gets some exposure for some of these young players who are the future of Trinidad and Tobago football,” said Yorke.
“[…] We have a clearer idea of where we are in terms of the players that will make the grade. We are ready… We are fully aware of what is required and how to do it.”
The Soca Warriors came back to level scores after trailing 2-0, but eventually lost 3-2.
(via TTFA Media.)
(Trinidad and Tobago team at the 2025 Unity Cup)
Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip, Jabari St Hillaire;
Defenders: Sheldon Bateau, Justin Garcia, Shervohnez Hamilton, Jamal Jack, Alvin Jones, Jelani Peters, Andre Raymond, Jesse Williams;
Midfielders: Dantaye Gilbert, Joevin Jones, Kristian Lee-Him, Kevin Molino, Duane Muckette, Daniel Phillips, Noah Powder, Kaihim Thomas;
Attackers: Rio Cardines, Isaiah Leacock, Isaiah Lee, Reon Moore, John-Paul Rochford, Brent Sam.
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Our players need more outings like these. I think the experience of playing abroad can only benefit the team.
We need to play faster
Exaggeration or no, lets rally behind Dwight Yorke as he seeks to bring our teams performance to international standards. Ignoring the spirit of what Mr Yorke was trying to communicate is semantics and pure folly, overpowering the real message here. Yorke has come into his own as a reputable coach, having been a world renowned soccer professional for many years and I trust him with the developnent of Trinidad and Tobago’s development and success in the field of soccer both at hone and abroad. Rome wasn’t but in a day, neither T&T soccer excellence.
At this stage it’s about analyzing players competitive abilities and understanding of various positional roles,along with attitudes on and off the field
Thank you for looking into the statement that “some of the local lads haven’t even been outside of Trinidad and Tobago.” I found that comment a bit odd myself and was planning to dig into it further.
Looking at the Gold Squad of 54 players, I noticed there are only two new names on the list. Who are these new players, and when can we expect to see them in action? The Gold Cup seems like the perfect opportunity to integrate fresh talent, allowing everyone to build chemistry and work together as a team.