US soccer execs advise TT Soca Warriors

TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner with other members of the LOC as well as team manager Bruce Aanensen and assistant George Joseph were also part of the meeting which lasted for just over three hours at the CONCACAF office, Edwards Street, Port-of-Spain yesterday morning.

The US delegation included Dan Flynn, General Secretary of the USSF; Tom King - Director of Administration; Jay Berhalter - director of marketing; Mike Gressle - Administration and Jim Moorhouse - Director of Communications.

Having the Americans come over to give pointers was the brainchild of Warner who is also CONCACAF president and a FIFA vice-president. Warner felt it would be wise to hear from a country that has been to the Finals on seven occasions (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002).

The presentation made by the USSF was titled ‘The People’s Team’ and they explained that they believed the current TT team belonged to the citizens of the country and they admired the euphoria that followed the 1-0 victory over Bahrain last month.

The Presentation was designed to assist in the planning for the World Cup itself, to outline potential opportunities surrounding the team and provide a general road map for the next seven months leading up to the World Cup.

Issues from selection of training camps and living facilities in Germany, team preparations, merchandising, ticketing for local matches, sponsor activities, communications to a general outlook at the cities in Germany were discussed.

The USSF’s Moorhouse admitted that the invitation from Warner to come here was readily accepted as they felt TT’s achievement was not just one for the country and the Caribbean but for CONCACAF by extension.