From 2014 Grit to 2026 Belief

FROM 2014 GRIT TO 2026 BELIEF: WOMEN WARRIORS EYE HISTORY AGAIN

Port of Spain is stirring once more.
On April 17, under the lights of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago’s Women Warriors will step onto familiar ground—chasing a dream that once slipped through their fingers by the narrowest of margins.

This time, however, there is a renewed sense of belief… forged by history, driven by experience, and fueled by a new generation ready to write its own chapter.But to understand what lies ahead against El Salvador, one must first revisit what this nation witnessed in 2014—a campaign that still lives in the DNA of Trinidad and Tobago women’s football.

THE ROAD THAT INSPIRED A NATION

In 2014, the Women Warriors, under head coach Randy Waldrum and led by captain Maylee Attin-Johnson, produced one of the most courageous and unforgettable runs in Caribbean women’s football history.

They began by conquering the Caribbean, lifting the CFU Women’s Caribb8ean Cup with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, courtesy of Mariah Shade. That triumph secured qualification to the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in the United States—a stage where giants awaited.

Drawn in Group A alongside world powerhouse USA, Haiti and Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago were not favourites to advance in the tournament played in October, 2014. But what followed was a display of sheer grit, resilience and belief, particularly after the infamous tweet by Waldrum saw fans showing up to donate supplies to the team during its training camp in the US prior to the tournament. The team’s following grew daily.

A 0-1 loss to the USA in the opening game at Sporting Park, Kansas City —but one that told a deeper story. Goalkeeper Kimika Forbes delivered a heroic performance with nine saves, keeping the scoreline respectable against the reigning world champions.

Next was a 1-0 win over Haiti at Toyota Park in Illinois, sealed by Kennya Cordner’s goal in the 37th minute. Even more remarkable was the team’s resolve after going down to ten players following Forbes’ red card—they held firm under immense pressure.

A decisive 2-1 victory over Guatemala at RFK Stadium in Washington, where Cordner struck again before captain Attin-Johnson coolly converted a penalty. Trinidad and Tobago were through to the semifinals, to the delight of a couple hundred T&T fans in the stands.
They were no longer underdogs. They were contenders.

ONE KICK FROM THE WORLD CUP

The semifinal against Costa Rica in Chester remains one of the most emotional matches in local football history.

Lauryn Hutchinson’s late equalizer dragged Trinidad and Tobago back into the contest, but the dream was halted in a cruel penalty shootout defeat. A place at the World Cup had been within touching distance.

There was still another opportunity.
In the third-place match, the Soca Princesses led Mexico 2-1 late in the game—goals from Kennya Cordner and Mariah Shade igniting hope. But heartbreak followed as Mexico rallied, equalized, and then scored twice in extra time to win 4-2.
Still, Trinidad and Tobago had earned one final chance: the intercontinental playoff against Ecuador.

First leg (away): 0-0 in Quito—a disciplined, resilient performance at altitude.
Second leg (home): 0-1 loss, with Ecuador scoring in stoppage time before a partisan crowd at the Hasely Crawford.
One moment. One goal. One heartbreak.
The dream of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup was gone—but a legacy had been born.

THE THREAD THAT CONNECTS THEN AND NOW

Fast forward to 2026, and echoes of that historic campaign remain.

Two of the warriors from that era—Kennya Cordner and Liana Hinds, are once again central figures. They are no longer just players; they are leaders, standard bearers, and living reminders of what is possible.
Cordner, the team’s top scorer during that 2014 CONCACAF campaign, still carries the attacking threat, the fearlessness, and the belief that goals can change destiny.

Hinds, a defensive pillar then and now, brings experience, composure and the understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.

And on the sidelines, a familiar figure—Maylee Attin-Johnson, the captain who once led the charge on the field, now serves as team manager. Her presence bridges generations, ensuring that the lessons of 2014 are not forgotten.
This is more than continuity.
This is legacy in motion.

THE PRESENT MISSION: APRIL 17

The stakes are once again enormous.
A victory over El Salvador could push Trinidad and Tobago into the quarterfinal knockout stage, where a single win then could propel the nation to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

One match. One moment. One opportunity.
But the path will not be easy for the team led by Head Coach Damian Briggs with T&T Men’s 2006 World Cup hero Densill Theobald as assistant coach.

El Salvador arrives as group leaders, confident, organized, and sensing opportunity. They are “smelling blood”—aware that a draw would be enough to see them advance.
For Trinidad and Tobago, the equation is simple:
Win… or watch the dream slip away again.

SIGNS OF A TEAM COMING TOGETHER

There are reasons for belief.
The recent performances have shown a team growing in confidence and cohesion:
A gritty 2-2 draw away to Honduras, where the team displayed resilience under pressure, refusing to fold in hostile conditions.

A dominant 5-0 victory over Barbados, showcasing attacking fluidity, depth, and clinical finishing.

These are not just results—they are indicators of a team on its way to finding its rhythm, hopefully at the right time.

As the squad assembles for its residential training camp in Port of Spain from April 12, the focus will be sharp, the intensity high, and the purpose clear.

This is where belief is built.This is where teams become unified.

LESSONS FROM 2014: WHAT IT TAKES

If 2014 taught us anything, it is this:
Matches are won through discipline and resilience.

Moments must be taken without hesitation.
And belief must remain, even when the odds seem overwhelming.

Back then, Trinidad and Tobago stood toe-to-toe with giants, overcame adversity, and came within minutes of rewriting history.
Now, the opportunity has returned.

A NATION’S ROLE

Football in Trinidad and Tobago has always thrived on energy, passion and unity.
April 17 must be no different.
The Hasely Crawford Stadium cannot just be a venue, it must be a fortress. A place where every tackle is cheered, every run is lifted, and every moment is shared between players and supporters.

Because this journey is not just about a team.
It is about a nation daring to believe again.

THE FINAL WORD

In 2014, the Women Warriors showed the world their heart.
They proved that Trinidad and Tobago belongs on the biggest stage.

Now, more than a decade later, history is knocking once again.

With veterans who remember the pain, young players ready to rise, and a nation behind them, the question is no longer whether Trinidad and Tobago can compete.
The question is:
Will this be the moment they finish what they started?
April 17 will tell the story.
And just like in 2014…
it will be written with grit, belief, and the unbreakable spirit of the Women Warriors.