King makes seven changes—Molino, Joevin and Bateau in; Reon, Auvray and Muckette out
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team caretaker head coach Derek King has recalled former international standouts Kevin Molino and Joevin Jones among seven changes to the national squad for crucial home-and-away outings against Cuba in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League.
At present, the Warriors are bottom of a six-nation group with the fifth and sixth placed teams set for relegation to the second tier League B.
Photo: Allan V Crane/ CA Images/ Wired868
A fourth-place finish is not entirely in Trinidad and Tobago’s hands, as King would still have to rely on the results of French Guiana and Honduras. However, a win away to Cuba on Thursday 10 October and at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet on Monday 14 October would almost certainly be enough.
With feverish recent discussion on the fate of the vacant post of Soca Warriors head coach, this could potentially be King’s last match window in charge. Former Manchester United star and Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup captain Dwight Yorke appears to be a fan favourite at the moment.
If this is King’s last hoorah, he will do it his way. Today, he rang in the changes with his playing squad—with seven adjustments from his first international match window.
Goalkeeper Aaron Enill (Montego Bay Utd—Jamaica), central defender Leland Archer (Charleston Battery—USA), full back Andre Raymond (St Johnstone FC—Scotland), midfielders Duane Muckette (AC Port of Spain), Steffen Yeates (Pacific FC—Canada), and Daniel Phillips (Stevenage FC—England), and attackers Kaïlé Auvray (Cavaliers FC—Jamaica) and Reon Moore (Pacific FC—Canada) are all omitted.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
In their places, King summoned goalkeeper Adrian Foncette (Police FC), veteran defender Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren—Belgium), left back Ross Russell Jr (AC Port of Spain), flanker Tyrese Spicer, and midfielders Michel Poon-Angeron (AC Port of Spain), Joevin Jones (Police FC) and Kevin Molino (unattached).
Greece-based attacker Levi Garcia has just returned to play for AEK Athens after injury and was not considered ready.
Bateau, Joevin and captain Aubrey David, all 33, 34-year-old Molino, and 35-year-old Foncette are the last remaining members of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup squad, which advanced to the quarterfinal stage.
Molino, Joevin and Bateau have not represented the Soca Warriors in a competitive match since the 2023 Gold Cup—after which Molino, the captain, sensationally fell out with then head coach Angus Eve.
(via TTFA Media)
Although King was part of Eve’s technical staff, he clearly feels Molino’s technical ability and leadership can be an asset as he tries to refashion the Warriors into a proactive, ball-hugging team.
Molino is Trinidad and Tobago’s seventh highest international goal scorer of all-time with 23 items. The Warriors failed to score in King’s opening two matches against Honduras (0-4) and French Guiana (0-0).
Trinidad and Tobago need goals now.
Team
Goalkeepers: Denzil Smith (AC Port of Spain), Christopher Biggette (Defence Force), Adrian Foncette (Police FC);
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Defenders: Aubrey David (CS Deportivo Municipal—Guatemala), Alvin Jones (Police FC), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC—USA), Triston Hodge (Hartford Athletic—USA), Ross Russell Jr (AC Port of Spain), Sheldon Bateau (SK Beveren—Belgium);
Midfielders: Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers—Canada), Noah Powder (Northern Colorado Hailstorm—USA), Dantaye Gilbert (Jong PSV—Netherlands), Kevin Molino (unattached), Joevin Jones (Police FC), Michel Poon-Angeron (AC Port of Spain);
Attackers: Nathaniel James (Mount Pleasant FC—Jamaica), Real Gill (Northern Colorado Hailstorm—USA), Kevon Woodley (Police FC), Ryan Telfer (HFX Wanderers—Canada), Isaiah Lee (La Horquetta Rangers), Tyrese Spicer (Toronto FC—MLS), John-Paul Rochford (AC Port of Spain).
Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.