When the La Brea All Stars take the field tomorrow in the quarter-finals of the national FA Trophy competition, the players will be carrying the hopes of all football fans in South Trinidad.
They will face their toughest test to date, a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago Pro League giants San Juan Jabloteh from 7 pm on the artificial turf of the Marvin Lee Stadium, Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna, a surface that no player from the La Brea All Stars had the opportunity of playing on before.
The game is already being labelled “David versus Goliath” with the outcome, not only a semi-final berth, but for the La Brea men, a step closer to meeting the Pro League requirement for entry.
Newsday understand that officials of the All Stars are already holding talks with various companies in a move to achieve their support.
Apart from having a competitive team the La Brea outfit will have to prove to Pro League officials that their players can receive a minimum salary of $2, 500.
The All Stars are the only team still in the FA Cup play-offs. They are being coached by ex-Strike Squad defender Floyd “Ninja” Lawrence, with assistance from Strike Squad team-mate Philbert “Pamo” Jones and Larry Joseph, another ex-national player who is manager.
Ex-national manager and FIFA development officer Richard Braithwaite is continuing to play a supportive role with the All Stars.
The All Stars are part of the La Brea Sport Foundation which was founded by Winston Sinclair.