Thomas ready to answer call again for Gold Cup Play-In
Thomas ready to answer call again for Gold Cup Play-In
Kaihim Thomas had little time to prepare when the call came for Trinidad and Tobago’s final Concacaf Nations League match against Curaçao last month.
After travelling for almost an entire day, Thomas spent just one night in camp before being named in the starting team at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the 23-year-old produced a composed performance at right-back and completed the full match as Trinidad and Tobago battled to a 1-1 draw.
“Getting a call to play for your country will always be a pleasure,” Thomas said.
“Physically, and probably mentally, it was tough. I travelled for nearly a whole day, spent the night in the airport and then had another five or six-hour flight.
“But it is a pleasure to play for your country, so you always have to find a way to show up and be at your best to represent the country. It was a tough game, but I was grateful for the result we got.”
Thomas’ display was another example of his versatility. Although primarily used as a midfielder or wide player at club level, he adjusted to the defensive assignment handed to him by head coach Derek King and the technical staff.
“One of my greatest attributes is being a utility player and being able to play in multiple positions,” Thomas said. “Once I am given instructions, I try my best to fulfil all of them and play at my best. I think I did my best on the night.”
Match data credited Thomas with two key passes, three combined tackles and interceptions and one shot during his 90-minute performance against Curaçao.
Thomas will now hope to remain in the national setup as attention turns to the Concacaf Gold Cup Play-In against Antigua and Barbuda.
The opening leg will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on November 12, with the return fixture scheduled for November 16 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The winner of the two-leg series will advance to the next phase of Gold Cup qualification in March 2027.
Thomas believes the team’s performance against Curaçao showed that there is a foundation on which to build, but he stressed that improvement must continue in every area.
“After that showing, I think we have to keep pushing and keep training,” he said.
“We have to work on our fitness and tactics, watch the film and prepare ourselves properly because we need to give ourselves the best possible chance.”
His return to the national team came during his first season in the United States with Corpus Christi FC. Thomas signed his first USL contract with the Texas club in February after previously representing La Horquetta Rangers and Defence Force in Trinidad and Tobago.
Corpus Christi head coach and sporting director Éamon Zayed described Thomas as a dynamic player with international experience and expressed confidence that the move could help him become a regular member of the Trinidad and Tobago squad.
Thomas made 15 appearances across the 2026 season, including six starts, and operated in both midfield and defence. He also scored his first USL League One goal in June, coming off the bench to complete a 4-1 victory over Sarasota Paradise with a composed finish in added time.
Following his appearance against Curaçao, Thomas returned to Corpus Christi and continued receiving meaningful minutes. He played the full 90 minutes against FC Naples on October 11 and 69 minutes against Richmond Kickers one week later.
That regular exposure to the professional game in the United States has helped Thomas remain prepared for different assignments.
His late call-up against Curaçao demonstrated both his commitment and his ability to respond when needed.
With Gold Cup qualification now at stake, Thomas is again ready to contribute wherever required as Trinidad and Tobago seek to negotiate the two matches against Antigua and Barbuda and keep their Gold Cup ambitions alive.
