Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that centre back Carlyle Mitchell has been called up to the Trinidad & Tobago national team for next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Mitchell will depart for international duty following the ‘Caps road match at D.C. United this coming Saturday, June 29. Trinidad will play in three group stage matches. The squad will face El Salvador July 8 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, Haiti July 12 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., and Honduras July 15 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. In that time, Mitchell will miss Vancouver’s matches at Sporting Kansas City on July 3, and at home to Seattle Sounders FC on July 6 and Chicago Fire on July 14. If Trinidad do not advance past the group stage, Mitchell will return to Vancouver on July 16.
Should Trinidad advance past the group stage, Mitchell would remain with the team for the duration of the tournament, which concludes on July 28. If the Soca Warriors qualify for the quarterfinals, the 6-foot-2 centre back would miss the 'Caps July 20 road match at LA Galaxy, and should they advance to the Gold Cup final, Mitchell would miss the July 27 home match against Philadelphia Union.
Internationally, Mitchell has made 11 appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago's senior men's national team. His last appearance for his country was on March 26 against Peru, where he started and played all 90 minutes.
In two seasons in Vancouver, Mitchell has started seven MLS matches, including last Wednesday's match at home to Chivas USA at BC Place. Earlier this season, the Caribbean defender went on loan to North American Soccer League (NASL) club FC Edmonton, playing every minute for the Alberta side during their NASL season before suffering a sprained ankle against Fort Lauderdale Strikers on May 26. In total, Mitchell started seven matches for FC Edmonton while playing 559 minutes.