Trinidad and Tobago’s US-based quartet of Kenwyne Jones, Kevin Molino, Kevan George and Joevin Jones were all checked into the Senior Men’s Team camp in Denver on Monday, giving head coach Dennis Lawrence his first session with a full complement of 24 players ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifying showdown with the United States at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park from 6pm (8pm TT time).
Molino arrived on Sunday after playing for Minnesota United the previous day along with George, while Jones (K) arrived on Sunday night and Jones of Seattle Sounders meeting up with the rest of the group just after midday on Monday after running out for Seattle Sounders on Sunday night.
Lawrence and his staff will now enter their final bit of fine tuning with a clearer mindset knowing that all players are on site and injury free, adapting to the conditions and actively being part of the sessions both on an off the pitch.
George, who has been a regular member of the Jacksonville Armada team in recent weeksaid the USA clash has been on his mind well in advance of his arrival in Colorado on the weekend.
“I completely forgot everything about my club on the weekend as soon as our game ended and my energies were geared towards preparing for this upcoming game against the US. When we get to Costa Rica, we’ll think about them but my sole focus has been the US and how we can exploit them,” George told TTFA Media.
“I’ve played here in Colorado before with Columbus Crew so I kind of know what to expect in terms of the conditions but you never really know until you go out there on the day. We are all professionals so we have to simply get on with it, George added.
“We have to be disciplined and not get caught up in the magnitude of the game. We all know there are points on the line but if we can stay disciplined and carry out the instructions to coach has been giving us then I think we will be fine,” George said.
“Everything about this game has been at the back of my mind since I was at my club. I feel good and physically ready and just looking forward to executing on Thursday.”
Meantime, home-based W Connection player Alvin Jones is excited but composed about making the 24-man cut as tries to enter the field for a World Cup qualifier against his brother Joevin.
“I feel great to have made the final cut. Finally I have achieved this and now I will try to make the team for the game itself. Everyday myself and Joevin have been speaking and even though he has not been here in camp, it was almost like he’s been here because everyday he’s been on the phone asking about how things have been going in training,” Jones said.
“It’s an honour to be in the World Cup squad with him and I feel good that the coach has given me this look after putting in all the effort in the camp here in Colorado. Now it’s just about settling down even more and getting things right between now and Thursday’s match,” the Connection man added.