Trevin Caesar knows how to make an entrance. On March 29, he was brought on for Trinidad & Tobago in the 71st minute of its 2018 World Cup Qualifying, fourth-round encounter against visiting St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Before the final whistle blew, the 27-year-old forward struck for the Soca Warriors’ last two goals in a 6-0 win.
After spending the early part of his club career in Trinidad & Tobago, Caesar moved in 2014 to the United States’ San Antonio Scorpions and won a North American Soccer League title that same year.
Last season, he struck for nine goals in 27 games with USL’s Austin Aztex, but now wears the colors of Orange County Blues FC.
Caesar spoke to CONCACAF.com about football and life.
Trinidad & Tobago sits atop the Group C table in the fourth round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Did you expect the team to play so well through this point of the competition?
TC: Yes, we expected it. We’ve expected our team to be playing at our best in every game. We know we had to win so we just had to work hard and everything has fallen into place.
How would you assess the team's performances in WCQ thus far?
TC: My own performances have been great. I’ve scored two goals. I should have scored more, but that’s how the game goes. The quality was good, though.
You netted two goals in the win over St. Vincent & the Grenadines. What did it feel like to score twice in a World Cup qualifier?
TC: It was one of my first World Cup qualifying games. The first [goal] was good and then I got my second and I thought I was going to get a hat-trick. It was a great feeling and I got great respect in Trinidad in front of my home fans, so it was great.
What are Trinidad & Tobago's strengths as a team?
TC: Our strengths are in attacking, but we also defend well. We’ve got a lot of fast guys, so we try to counterattack as fast as we can.
What has been the highlight of your career at the club level?
TC: Right now, it’s just playing out of Trinidad and trying to get better and better. Maybe winning the NASL in 2014 was the highlight so far, though.
You have played in the United States the last few years and now with the Orange County Blues. How are you enjoying life as a footballer abroad
TC: It’s way different to back home, so I try to enjoy it as much as I can. I don’t have a lot of friends here; mostly my teammates. I just try to enjoy it, have fun while doing business.
What motivates you as a player each day?
TC: I have a daughter now, so she motivates me to work even harder to make sure she gets everything she needs. My family, knowing where I came from growing up, I didn’t have it all, but they help me through everything, so I have to repay them. My mom and my dad, my grandmothers and everyone in my family motivates me.
If you could play on the same pitch with any player in the history of football, who would it be and why?
TC: It would be (Sergio) Aguero from Manchester City. He’s a great striker and my favorite player and I love to watch him play. He works hard and it would be awesome.
When not playing football, what are some of the things you enjoy doing?
TC: I usually go to the beach here in California. I play the FIFA video game. I go bowling and go to the gym; stuff like that.
What are your future goals in football?
TC: For this season, my goal is to win the USL Championship with the Orange County Blues FC and, for myself, to keep scoring goals. I just go year-by-year, so this year is just to win the USL Championship.