TT goalkeeper on MLS trial

The ex-QRC student was invited for the trial at Philadelphia’s month- long preseason training after an outstanding 2010 season with Adelphi University.

He was not chosen by a club during the MLS draft but is hopeful of impressing the Union coaching staff sufficiently to earn a deal.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime and to get invited itself is a real big honour,” said Holder. “I’m pretty excited to work with players and coaches alike at this level.

“It’s going to be a challenge but one I’ve been preparing for, for many years. I’m going be taking it one session at a time, bringing the level of intensity and presence that is needed at this level.

“I spoke to Shaka (Hislop) as well and he told me ‘not to be nervous, and have fun’. He said, ‘I was invited because I showed that I can compete at this level.’

“Words from such a respected and proven mentor significantly adds to my confidence and I’m going to show up with something to prove,” Holder added.

According to ex-national goalkeeping great and current Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) technical director Lincoln Phillips, “This is a wonderful opportunity for one of our goalkeepers to enhance his development by receiving the kind of exposure in the USA.

“Thorne has been a persistent and hardworking goalkeeper and this could only auger well for him and the expansion of our pool of goalkeepers for the country.”

Besides Holder, the national Under-23 duo of Daniel Cyrus and Sheldon Bateau (who is also the captain of the TT Under-20 squad) will join Sporting Kansas for a trial later this month. Earlier this week, former TT Under-17 team captain Javed Mohammed was snapped up by Colorado Rapids at the MLS Supplemental Draft.