Chaz Burnett, Josh Burnett, Jassiem Wahtuse and Earnest Mitchell were born in the United States through Trinidadian parentage and would love the chance to play for Trinidad and Tobago one day.
The players came forward and made themselves known to the TTFF and expressed their desire and eligibility to don the T&T colors.
Ted Burnett, the father of both Josh and Chaz spoke with the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) about his sons and also disclosed that he will welcome an invitation from T&T.
Chaz Burnett, 13, a midfielder/forward got picked for a US national U-14 select team and will depart for Spain next week where they will play the youth teams of UE Cornellà & RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in friendly games. He will then depart for Scotland where he will meet up with his brother for another training camp.
All the players on this select team are automatically included on the US National U-14 team pool under the US Soccer Federation, and a US Soccer Federation National U-14 coach also travels with the team. Technically, though, the Spain International Tour is organized and conducted by US Club Soccer, an Association member of the US Soccer Federation.
Last December both players went to the North America youth final in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) with soccer club Central Jersery Spartans, a selected state team. At the end of the tournament Chaz was named on the U-13 Super Y League Tournament all star team after his team made it to the 2011 Super Y-League North American Finals.
Josh Burnett, 12, a dominant central defender was also invited by the US U-13 national team camp last summer at the Home Depot center under the direction of U-14 BNT head coach Manny Schellscheidt. Josh did enough to impress the coach and is said to be keeping a close eye on the young defender.
Both players are part of the Players Development Academy (PDA), an academy for US soccer development programs, which MLS teams also partake in.
Two of Josh and Chaz teammates at the PDA academy are also Americans born to Trinidadian parentage. They are striker Jassiem Wahtuse, 14, and midfielder Earnest Mitchell, 13, who’s father (Cecil Mitchell) represented Trinidad and Tobago in the 400M.
All four players will be going to Scotland for a 10 day training program where they will also get the opportunity to play against Glasgow Celtic youth team, they leave on the 24th of February. Last year they spent 10-days training with Italian giants Inter Milan.
They were also part of the TrinJersey Soccer Club at Under 9 level. Trin Jersey is a club based in New Jersery and host many past players from Trinidad and Tobago including; Michael Chance, Martin Lindsay, Steve Yearwood and Howard George to name a few.
Who knows what the future holds for these players as far as T&T is concerned and with the National under 15 team expected to be in training soon-, it’s over to you TTFF.