National Senior men’s team head coach Russell Latapy on Sunday announced his 20-man squad for Wednesday’s friendly international against Jamaica and it includes several high performers from the T&T Pro League including top marksmen Kerry Baptiste of Joe Public and Defence Force duo Devon Jorsling and Kevon Carter.
Also in the mix will be Puerto Rico Islanders duo Kendall Jagdeosingh and Keon Daniel whose club enjoyed a triumph over MLS club La Galaxy in the Concacaf Champions League last week.
However, San Jose Earthquakes striker Cornell Glen will not be available for Wednesday's friendly because of last minute overseas commitments.
Glen, who was invited for the encounter last week, has indicated his willingness to accept further invitations for upcoming international friendlies once called up again.
Also missing will be midfielders Densill Theobald and Clyde Leon through injury but experienced Joe Public midfielder Trent Noel and teammate Hayden Tinto are in the squad alongside W Connection’s Hughtun Hector.
Both Jorsling and Carter enjoying good runs, having scored in the recent 4-1 win over Antigua/Barbuda last month while Baptiste is coming off a fine opening item in Joe Public’s 4-2 win over Costa Rica’s Brujas FC last Wednesday.
T&T’s back line includes the likes of Defence Force’s duo Aklie Edwards and Keston Edwards as well as W Connection’s Kern Cupid and Makan Hislop are also in the squad while Public’s Carlyle Mitchell (picture above) has gotten a first time call for the new year from Latapy.
The Jamaicans, who also face Costa Rica in another friendly later this month and like T&T, are preparing for the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup, will arrive in Port of Spain on Monday evening and will train once on Tuesday ahead of the match.
They are expected to have five overseas-based players in their squad including New York Red Bulls player Dane Richards, San Jose Earthquakes’ Ryan Johnson, Rodolph Austin of Norwegian Premier League side SK Brann and Eric Vernan, currently on loan to Nybergsund IL, in Norway and LA Galaxy goalkeeper Donovon Ricketts.
Both Latapy and Jamaican head coach Theodore Whitmore are widely regarded as two of the most decorated and recognized players to represent their respective countries and will be coming head to head for the first time since taking over the positions of head coach of both countries.
For Latapy, it is just another key element of what promises to be another intriguing clash between the region’s top two teams.
“Like I said before, we haven’t seen Jamaica in a while and I wanted to see where they are at the moment and I’m pretty sure they will be hoping to do the same. It’s going to give us another idea of where we are at right now in preparations for the Digicel Cup,” Latapy told TTFF Media.
“The only point we have to prove is to play to the best of our ability. It’s always interesting when Trinidad and Tobago faces Jamaica and football is a game when you never stop learning.
This is always one of the bigger games in Caribbean football is just now as you’re getting older you end up coming up against players in a different capacity and we’re both at the helm of our countries national teams,” Latapy said in reference to the match up against Whitmore.
Wednesday’s evening of matches kicks off at 4pm with T&T’s Women’s Under 17 team meeting the T&T Women’s Senior Team followed by a 6pm start for the feature match between the “Soca Warriors” and the Reggae Boyz”. Tickets priced at $40 for adults and $20 for kids will be available on Wednesday at the venue.
T&T 20-man squad
Goalkeepers
1) Marvin Philip – Joe Public
2) Jan Michael Williams – W Connection
Defenders
3) Makan Hislop – Joe Public
4) Keston Williams – Defence Force
5) Aklie Edwards – Defence Force
6) Kern Cupid – W Connection
7) Carlyle Mitchell – Joe Public
Midfielders
8) Kendall Jagdeosingh – Puerto Rico Islanders
9) Hughtun Hector – W Connection
10) Kevon Carter – Defence Force
11) Hayden Tinto – Joe Public
12) Keon Daniel – Puerto Rico Islanders
13) Devon Jamerson – Ma Pau FC
14) Trent Noel – Joe Public
15) Ataullah Guerra – San Juan Jabloteh
Forwards
16) Matthew Bartholomew – W Connection
17) Shahdon Winchester – W Connection
18) Jason Marcano – San Juan Jabloteh
19) Kerry Baptiste – Joe Public
20) Devon Jorsling – Defence Force
Boyz depart for Warriors showdown.
Jamaica Observer.
Jamaica's national senior footballers are slated to travel to Trinidad today ahead of Wednesday's friendly international against the hosts.
The game was originally set for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, but due to FIFA inspection of the facilities for the Under-17 Women's World Cup, the game has been switched to the Marvin Lee Stadium at 6:00 pm (5:00 pm Jamaica time).
Thirteen local-based players have been selected by head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, and they along with Eric Vernan, the European-based player, who is already in the island, will depart today at approximately 2:00 pm. They will be joined upon arrival in the twin-island republic by US-based players Donovan Ricketts, Shavar Thomas, Ryan Johnson and Dane Richards, as well as Rodolph Austin, who is also based in Europe.
Wednesday's game is a continuation of the Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign, which was launched on January 31 with a game against Canada at Kingston's National Stadium.
The game, the first of a two-leg series between the top two Caribbean nations, will be the fourth international for the Boyz this year, after the 1-0 win over Canada, a courageous 1-2 loss to Argentina in Mar Del Plata and a 0-2 loss to South Africa in Germany.
The return leg is slated for October 10 at the National Stadium, but before that the Boyz will entertain CONCACAF neighbours Costa Rica at the same venue on September 5.
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss Captain Horace Burrell has promised that both teams would parade their best "available players", and while the English League players are not expected to participate, Trinidad and Tobago's head coach Russell Latapy is sure to field a number of his star players.
Jamaica's local-based players are Jermaine Taylor, Dicoy Williams, Andre Blake, Devon Williams, Oneil Fisher, Troy Smith, Adrian Reid, Richard Edwards, Ricardo Cousins, Devon Hodges, Kavin Bryan, Kenardo Forbes and Mario Swaby.
The touring party is completed by Head of Delegation Sheridan Samuels; Whitmore; assistant coach Bradley Stewart; team manager Howard Bell; team doctor Ivor O'Connor; and equipment manager Dwayne Blake.