Caledonia AIA players Conrad Smith and Hayden Tinto will spend a week each at Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes on trial in efforts to earn foreign contracts ahead of the new season.
The arrangement was made through the players’ agent. Both Smith and Tinto have represented the Trinidad and Tobago national senior team. Smith finished last season with 7 goals in the TT Pro League while Tinto had 4 to his name.
Last month MLS club FC Dallas opened the invitation for Conrad Smith and Caledonia AIA teammate Sheldon Emmanuel. Smith’s agent saw the Earthquake opportunity as a more feasible one hence Trinidadian passing on the Dallas opportunity.
For the Caledonia AIA captain Emmanuel, it was a case of VISA problems. The St Lucien defender missed his first opportunity with Dallas due to a delay in his VISA application but is expected to join the MLS club later this month (March), when FCD returns from their Brazil pre-season trip to Clube Atletico Paranaense.
Emmanuel, Smith and W Connection goalkeeper Marvin Phillip were all spotted in action by FCD coaches during their visit to Trinidad last December and participation in the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup put on by the TT Pro League.
FC Dallas’ Brazilian partner Clube Atletico Paranaense were also part of the tournament. Goalkeeper Phillip spent a week in February with Dallas but until now, no information has been released whether or not a contract offer is imminent.