Sealy: US an acid test for Soca Warriors

YOUTHFUL “Soca Warriors” striker Scott Sealy, a first round MLS Super Draft pick for the Kansas City Wizards two weeks ago, says the opening match of the CONCACAF World Cup qualification final round against the United States will be a huge test. Sealy, who was the 11th overall pick in the MLS Draft, said that the United States was one the strongest team in the CONCACAF region but noted that Trinidad and Tobago would still be looking for full points. “It’s the best team in the region, so right away it’ll be a huge test,” the 23-year old Sealy said. “It’s very important for our country to start out on a good note.

It doesn’t matter if it is the United States or if it was one of the other countries, it’s still a home game, and we’ll be going for the full three points.” Sealy, who made his debut for Trinidad and Tobago in a 4-0 victory against the Dominican Republic last year, has been a in a good run of form recently and has quickly made an impression on TT head coach Bertille St Clair. Over a three-day span last weekend, Sealy started two matches as one of three strikers for the Soca Warriors, and scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Azerbaijan on Friday last. Now Sealy is focussed on taking his purple patch of form into the February 9 encounter against the US team. “It’s a big, big game for us,” Sealy said. “Everyone in Trinidad knows about it and has been talking about it since the date was set.  “It’s all over the newspapers there already.”

Sealy scored 43 goals over his four years at Wake Forest, and has shown his ability to find the back of the nets. However, his work rate and maturity off the ball is a feature of the young striker’s game that has stood out. “That’s the thing,” Sealy said. “I do a lot of things that don’t fit the stereotype. The stereotypical view of a Caribbean player is that we play with flair and are fancy with our moves and all that.” He added: “I play very simple. I can play with my back to the goal and get the midfielders involved by combination play, and try not to do too much dribbling.