With a new head coach and a World Cup veteran in its ranks, football fans can expect great things from Morvant Caledonia United in the 2016/2017 T&T Pro League.
Since winning the 2016 Lucozade Goal Shield, Morvant Caledonia United is demonstrating its continued push for trophies with the appointment of new head coach, Rajesh Latchoo.
Latchoo, a former National Youth coach and assistant Women Soca Warriors coach, has come into the role of head coach for the senior team vowing to build on the success and style of play developed by former coach Jerry Moe.
He says fans can expect football filled with an attacking flair to be on show at Morvant Caledonia United this season as the players “have freedom to play more attacking football while still using the great passing ability and philosophy they learnt under the last Coach.”
Latchoo believes his team’s strength plays right into that passing/attacking philosophy and issues a challenge to other Pro League teams saying, “I have faith in all my players this year especially my midfielders and I believe I have the best midfield in the Pro League…on the field and on the bench…and I would like to see other teams try to stop them.”
Caledonia’s midfield is certainly boosted with the return of veteran midfielder Densill Theobald whom Latchoo describes as vital saying, “Densill is a vital part of the team because with his experience and knowledge it is easier for those around him to play attacking football”.
Latchoo looks forward to giving the younger players on the team the chance to learn from Theobald who also believes it is his responsibility to give back to a league and a country that have helped to define him and his career.
Theobald insists the Pro league is an excellent development pool for the National Team and is hoping to not only nurture Caledonia’s young local talent into potential Soca Warriors but to also meet the goal set for him by Coach Latchoo of earning a recall to the National Team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Aside from nurturing his young teammates and earning his recall, Theobald is already eyeing trophies and foresees that the current mix of players has what it takes to bring the 2016/2017 TT Pro League title to the Morvant Caledonia Community.
And while Coach Latchoo also has an eye on the 2016/2017 TT Pro League title, he has reminded the entire team that the bigger picture is a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League next season and with a barrage of talent at their disposal, the Stallions seem to be well on their way to achieving this goal and bringing pride to the Morvant Caledonia community.
2016-17 SEASON ROSTER
Goalkeepers: #1 Marvin Phillip, #30 Stephon Seepersad, #31 Hakeem Thomas
Defenders: #9 Jair Edwards, #2 Kevin Layne (Guyana), #4 Ordell Flemming (St. Kitts and Nevis), #14 Otev Lawrence (St. Lucia), #5 Seon Thomas, #6 Taje Commissiong, #3 Teriq Highland (Barbados)
Midfielders: #17 Akim Armstrong, #8 Anthony Charles, #21 Densill Theobald, #14 Keron Bethelmy, #23 Lester Joseph (St. Lucia), #18 Maestro Mensah (Ghana)
Forwards: #16 Amos Ramsay (Guyana), #11 Domonic Douglas, #22 Jameel Neptune, #13 Jordan Devonish, #12 Kareem Joseph, #7 Kordell Samuel, #10 Sheldon Holder (Guyana)
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Team Staff:
Head Coach: Rajesh Latchoo
Asst. Coach: Abdallah Phillips
Team Physio: Franz Husbands
Equipment Officer: John-Wayne Alleyne
Board of Directors:
Technical Director: Jamaal Shabazz
Managing Director: Ricarda Nelson
Operations Director: Séjoux Shabazz
Sponsors: Courts Trinidad, Massy Group, Sportt Company, NP, Bankers Insurance