Alvin Jones doesn’t need a history lesson. Not when it pertains to how DirecTV W Connection has fared against Mexican teams at home during the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
“A Mexican team never beat us on home soil,” the W Connection defender told CONCACAF.com. “The pressure is on us going into this game. We have to keep our standard that a Mexican team has never beaten us here. It’s a great thing, but it’s also some pressure.”
W Connection will need to keep that success rate going against Santos on Tuesday night at Hasely Crawford Stadium to keep alive its chances of advancing out of Group A.
“Playing a Mexican team on the club level, you have to give your all,” expressed Jones. “We’re not as successful on the international stage, so playing against a Mexican team you have to do your best and you have to do your best so they don’t beat you at home.”
W Connection, which sits in third in the three-team group with three points, will need to beat Santos, which also has three points -- but sits in second on goal difference -- and get some help as well when Santos and first-place Saprissa (six points) meet in the final group match on October 20.
“I think it’s very difficult for us to advance to the next round,” Jones continued. “For us to advance we would have to win by a big margin and we have to hope Santos beats Saprissa. But knowing that, we get a win tomorrow and will be on six points. If all three teams end up on six points, it would be a very good achievement for us.”
The Savonetta Boys’ confidence is buoyed by a 2-1 win over Saprissa last week at home. Jones scored the game-winning goal eight minutes from full time.
“The win was very big for the club, for the country and for the team, most important,” the 21-year-old stressed said. “The guys worked very hard and we achieved it.”
And if club and country respect isn’t enough to play for, Jones is sparked by a sibling rivalry he has with older brother Joevin, a left-sided player competing for the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. They have each scored a goal in SCCL play.
“We always try to challenge one another,” Alvin Jones said.
Alvin said he keeps a close eye on his brother, who also once starred for W Connection, and offers regular critiques of his play.
“I try my best to watch all the games,” Alvin finished. “The few games I haven’t been watching have been due to training and things like that. The games I do watch, I always keep in touch with him. We always watch each other’s mistakes.”
Alvin said Joevin has one up on him because he is playing in the top tier in the United States.
But a win over Santos Laguna Wednesday would give Alvin some bragging rights.