King announces Nations League Squad

T&T Squad Named for September-October Concacaf Nations League Window

Trinidad and Tobago Head Coach Derek King has named a 25-man squad for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Curaçao, with four matches scheduled between September 24 and October 4.

The national team opens its campaign against Haiti at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday, September 24 before returning home to face the Dominican Republic at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday, September 27.

T&T then travels to Willemstad for the first of back-to-back matches against Curaçao on Thursday, October 1, before the two teams meet again at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday, October 4.

Captain Levi Garcia headlines the squad, which also includes Andre Rampersad, Reon Moore, Kobi Henry, Daniel Phillips, Tyrese Spicer, Wayne Frederick II, Rio Cardines and Roald Mitchell. Club Sando’s Luke Phillip, the club’s topscorer in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup has also earned a call up.

King said the group has been selected with the immediate challenge of the Nations League in mind, while also keeping an eye on the continued development of the national team.

“We are very pleased to announce the squad for our upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Curaçao,” King told TTFA Media today.

“This is an important period for Trinidad and Tobago football, and we have selected a squad that we believe has the quality, experience, character and hunger to compete at this level.”

King said the mix of experience and younger players was deliberate.

“We have players who bring different qualities to the team, but collectively they give us experience, athleticism, technical ability and, importantly, a strong desire to represent our country.

“We have been very deliberate in building a squad that can compete now while also continuing to build for the future. There is a balance between experience and youth, and I believe that is very important for the development of our national team.”

The Head Coach also underlined the importance of Garcia’s role as captain.
“Levi’s leadership will be extremely important for us,” King said. “As captain, he understands the responsibility that comes with wearing the red, white and black, and we expect him to lead by example both on and off the field.

“We also have experienced players who understand what international football demands, and they will be important in helping some of the younger players coming into this environment.”

King expects a demanding four-match window and stressed that T&T will approach all three opponents with respect.

“We respect Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Curaçao tremendously. These are quality teams, and we know the challenges that each match will bring,” he said.

“But we also believe in ourselves. We believe in our players, we believe in our preparation and we believe in the direction in which this team is going.”

He added that the only way for Trinidad and Tobago to make progress within Concacaf is to embrace the challenge of playing against strong opposition.

“For Trinidad and Tobago to become a force to be reckoned with in Concacaf, we cannot be afraid of these challenges. We have to embrace them.

“We have to play against strong teams, compete with them and ultimately learn how to beat them.”

King said the objective during the campaign goes beyond simply taking part.

“Our objective is not simply to participate in the Nations League. We want to compete. We want to win football matches. We want to put ourselves in a position to advance, and we want to give the people of Trinidad and Tobago a national team that they can be proud of.”

He also reminded the players of the responsibility that comes with national selection.

“Every player selected understands that when you put on this shirt, you are representing an entire nation. That responsibility has to be embraced, not feared.”

King said selection should also be viewed as the beginning of another period of competition within the squad rather than a guarantee.

“I also want to make it clear that selection is not the end of the process. Every player in this squad has earned his opportunity, but they must continue to work and compete every day.

The door remains open to players who are performing and showing that they can help this national team.

“The competition for places has to be healthy. It has to push everyone to improve, and ultimately that makes Trinidad and Tobago stronger.”

King wants his team to show courage and personality throughout the four matches.

“We are going into these games with respect for our opponents, but also with confidence in ourselves,” he said.

“We want to play with courage, intensity, discipline and personality. We want our players to be brave on the ball, brave in the challenges and brave in their decision-making.

“Most importantly, we want to see a team that plays for each other and plays for the country.”

King also called on supporters to get behind the team during what will be a demanding period.

“The message to our supporters is simple: believe in this group,” he said.

“We know there is work to be done, but there is also tremendous potential within this team. We are hungry, we are ambitious and we are ready for the challenge.

“When we walk onto that field, our responsibility is to give everything for Trinidad and Tobago.”

Trinidad and Tobago Squad
Goalkeepers:
Jabari Brice – Club Sando F.C., T&T
Jahiem Wickham – Charlotte F.C., USA
Denzil Smith – AV Alta FC, USA

Defenders:
Deron Payne – FC Volendam, Holland
Kobi Henry – Real Salt Lake, USA
Kieran Ngwenya – Rotherham United F.C., UK
Josiah Trimmingham – Phoenix Chapelton Maroons FC, Jamaica
Andrew De Gannes – St. Louis City F.C., USA
Rio Cardines – Bristol City FC, UK
Justin Garcia – Defence Force F.C., T&T
Noah Powder – Westchester S.C., USA

Midfielders/Attackers:
Daniel Phillips – Stevenage F.C., UK
Nathaniel James – North Texas S.C., USA
Luke Phillip – Club Sando F.C., T&T
Levi Garcia – Panathinaikos F.C., Greece
Reon Moore – Defence Force F.C., T&T
Tyrese Spicer – Orlando City S.C., USA
Wayne Frederick II – Colorado Rapids, USA
Dante Sealy – CF Montréal, Canada
Dantaye Gilbert – FC Baník Ostrava, Czech Republic
Andre Rampersad – HFX Wanderers FC, Canada
Roald Mitchell – Viborg FF, Denmark
Real Gill – One Knoxville Sporting Club, USA
Molik Khan – Vanspor FK, Turkey
Ryan Telfer – HFX Wanderers FC, Canada