Powder sees platform

Powder sees platform to build on ahead of Antigua challenge

Noah Powder sees a platform for Trinidad and Tobago to build on as the team turns its attention to the Gold Cup play-in against Antigua and Barbuda on November 12 and 16.
Reflecting on the Nations League campaign, Powder pointed to the quality and hunger shown by players coming into the squad, but stressed that the next step must be to turn those encouraging signs into results.

“So I think we’re in a bit of a rebuild, but we have a lot to build on,” Powder said.

The two matches against Antigua and Barbuda now provide the next test of that resolve, with T&T seeking to move forward after a difficult Nations League campaign.

Powder acknowledged that the team was going through a period of rebuilding. However, he felt the performances of players brought into the squad offered something to build on, particularly with injuries and suspensions affecting the available group.

“I thought the players that came into the camp showed their quality and showed what they can do, and definitely earn a spot in whatever camp is to come,” he said.

For Powder, one of the positives was the determination of younger players to make their opportunities count. He also recognised that adapting to international football was a learning process, including for those with more experience.

“I thought I saw a lot of young, hungry players,” he said. “A lot of players who realised, ‘Hey, this might be my only chance in the national team.’”

He noted that players attending their first camp were learning what the national team environment demanded and discovering the difference between club and international football.

That experience will need to be put to use as T&T prepare for the Antigua and Barbuda assignment. Powder’s message was that players must take responsibility for their preparation, review their performances and continue to make their case for selection through their club football.

“We watch the film, learn what we can do, go back to our clubs, prove our points,” he said.

Having watched from the stands during the previous campaign, Powder also valued the opportunity to observe his teammates’ character and their contribution away from the pitch.

“I think being a great footballer off the field is as important as being a great footballer on the field,” he said.

With another qualifying opportunity ahead, his focus was on learning from what had happened and being ready for the next challenge.

“I think in football you can’t really dwell too much on what’s in the past,” Powder said.

Interviewer: We ended on a high note vs Curacao. One point, some may say it’s not a high note, but for us we have to see it this way because at least we’ve ended this campaign showing what we’re capable of. What are your thoughts on how everything went?

Noah Powder: Trinidad and Tobago being one of the powerhouses in the Caribbean, obviously lacking some key players, injuries, red cards and everything, I thought the players that came into the camp showed their quality and showed what they can do, and definitely earn a spot in whatever camp is to come.
So I think we’re in a bit of a rebuild, but we have a lot to build on, as we saw last night.

Interviewer: Every game we played in was narrow margins, fine lines. One point was not enough to keep us up and to have us progress, but generally what are some of the good things that you thought you saw in this campaign?

Powder: I thought I saw a lot of young, hungry players. A lot of players who realised, “Hey, this might be my only chance in the national team…..

And obviously a learning curve for a lot of players. A lot of players that have their first camp learn what a national team feels like, learn the difference between club and international football. So I think in terms of football and players, it’s a major learning curve for all the players, even the players who are experienced and the players who have now come into the camp.

Interviewer: What’s next for us now?

Obviously we have to now look ahead to the Gold Cup qualifiers. We’ll be in a playoff… And we have to now be brutal in terms of how we go at these teams, and we have to finish the job.

I think in football you can’t really dwell on what’s in the past. Every day is a new journey, a new dream. So we watch the film, learn what we can do, go back to our clubs, prove our points and earn our spot in the coach’s heart and in the coach’s mind again, whoever that may be, and understand who we are and the country and our communities.

Interviewer: Obviously it would have been difficult looking on from the sidelines, sitting in the stands. What was that like for you, that experience, seeing that the boys were able to play till the end? You were still part of the setup.

Powder: I saw a lot of good fight from the players. Getting to learn a lot of them off the field was also a major component for me, because I can learn character and personality, and I think that’s important too.

I think being a great footballer off the field is as important as being a great footballer on the field. So showing what they can do on and off the pitch is extremely important, and just how much it means to play for Trinidad and Tobago.

Interviewer: What are your thoughts on how Ryan Telfer looked in the leftback role

Powder: I thought Ryan was exceptional. I actually played against [him] in 2017 when he was playing for Toronto FC, and he was actually playing left back. And I know he’s very versatile and can play multiple positions.

Powder ended the 2026 league season with 22 appearances for Westchester SC in USL League One, including 14 starts, 1,362 minutes and two assists. Across all competitions, he featured 24 times and played close to 1,500 minutes. His regular involvement throughout the campaign gave him a solid physical base heading into the Nations League and now the Gold Cup Play-In against Antigua and Barbuda