The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-17 Team lost 1-0 away to Jamaica this afternoon for the second successive friendly before the 2023 Concacaf Under-17 Championship.
Once more, coach Shawn Cooper did not have his full roster available. Crystal Palace Academy right back Rio Cardines and Nashville FC Academy flanker Dominic Wilson both missed out again, as they still await passports for their new adopted country.
The good news is that the process of acquiring their documents is at an advanced stage and Cooper expects to have the pair in his squad for their next outing, which is their opening Concacaf Championship fixture against Canada on Saturday.
The bad news is that Cooper was similarly optimistic on the weekend, after their first friendly against Jamaica.
Last Saturday, Jamaica had to wait until the 77th minute to get the winner against the two-island republic. This evening, the hosts opened the scoring after just three minutes—courtesy of an Adrian Reid Junior penalty kick.
The final result was the same, although Cooper felt the balance of play was different.
“Today’s game was a bit different to the last game, […] I think Jamaica dominated in the first half and we dominated in the second half,” said Cooper, in the post-match press conference. “We had a number of chances and half-chances, we had a little bit more purpose in front of the goal.
“[It was] a very, very good exercise.”
(via TTFA Media)
Two international friendlies without their full squad is as good as it is going to get for the Warriors, who must now depend on training sessions to improve their finishing.
Trinidad and Tobago play Canada, the United States, and Barbados in Guatemala with the top three teams all advancing to the knockout stage.
Cooper will hope his charges have found the killer touch by then.
(Trinidad and Tobago team)
Goalkeepers: Jaden Ottley (Fatima College/ QPCC), Ailan Panton (Darlington School/ Darlington Soccer Academy—USA);
Defenders: Rio Cardines (Crystal Palace—England), Lyshaun Morris (St Benedict’s College/ Point Fortin Academy), Samuel Duncan (Charlotte FC—USA), Joshua Figaro (Trinity College East/ Trendsetter Hawks), Jaden Williams (Fatima College/ QPCC);
(via TTFA Media)
Midfielders: Tau Lamsee (QRC/ Pro Series), Armani Rowe (St Benedict’s Prep/ Cedar Stars—USA), Aydon Caruth (QRC/ Police FC), Josiah Ochoa (St Benedict’s College/ Point Fortin Academy), Jeremiah Cateau (Hillgrove High School/ Concorde Fire—USA);
Attacking midfielders: Derrel Garcia (St Benedict’s College/ Cox FA), Vaughn Clement (Presentation College, San F’do/ Cox FA), Michael Chaves (Fatima College/ QPCC), Jeremiah Niles (St Benedict’s College/ Point Fortin Academy), Dominic Wilson (Nashville FC Academy—USA);
Forwards: Malachi Webb (St Benedict’s College/ Premier FC), Lindell Sween (San Juan North Secondary), Tyrell Moore (McEachern High School/ Nashville FC—USA).
Standby: Seth Hadeed (Fatima College/ QPCC).