Glen omitted, John in TT W/Cup squad

STRIKER Cornell Glen was omitted by national coach Leo Beenhakker from a 21-man squad for a week-long training camp, ahead of the CONCACAF World Cup Final Round qualifiers against Panama on June 4 and Mexico on June 8. Glen who plays with Columbus Crew in the American Major League Soccer, was a shock omission from the team, along with English-born defender Ian Cox, who featured in Friday’s 1-0 win over Bermuda at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Veteran striker Stern John remains in the squad, despite his below-par performances in Wednesday and Friday nights’ games against the Bermudans.

Captain Dwight Yorke is due to return home from personal business in England today, as well as the Real Salt Lake (MLS) duo of Marlon Rojas and Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick, following their clash against Chicago Fire last night. Avery John, another player in the MLS, will join the team on Monday in time for their training session at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. John’s team New England Revolution were due to face Colorado Rapids last night. According to Beenhakker, “the squad has the majority of the players that we have worked with and this is a plus for us because it means that we have gotten to know them better and there is a fair amount of understanding among everyone.”

Commenting on the Dundee United striking duo of Collin Samuel and Jason Scotland, as well as Yokohama FC playmaker Silvio Spann, Beenhakker admitted that he was unable to see the trio due to club commitments. “But I have no more time and I have had to make my decisions,” he stressed. “Right now it’s not about talking about individual players but rather to do it as a team because it’s all of us who have to get it right for next Saturday.”

Squad: Clayton Ince, Kelvin Jack (goalkeepers); Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews, Anton Pierre, Brent Sancho, Marlon Rojas, Avery John, David Atiba Charles, Glenton Wolfe (defenders); Carlos Edwards, Chris Birchall, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Otis Seaton (Aurtis Whitley), Densill Theobald, Dwight Yorke (captain), Brent Rahim (midfielders); Gary Glasgow, Kenwyne Jones, Stern John, Hector Sam.