Soca Warriors go for glory at Oval

IN THEIR first match of the CONCACAF World Cup Final Round qualifier, Trinidad and Tobago will begin their campaign against the United States at the Queen’s Park Oval, Woodbrook today from 3.30 pm. Despite a 1-0 loss to Haiti in a friendly international at Shaw Park, Scarborough on Sunday, the 21-member TT squad, under coach Bertille St Clair, would be looking to take advantage of home support to capture three points today. With veterans Dwight Yorke, David Nakhid, Stern John, Anthony Rougier, Angus Eve, Carlos Edwards, Clayton Ince and Shaka Hislop in the fray, and the emergence of youngsters Cornell Glen, Scott Sealy, Leslie Fitzpatrick and Kenwyne Jones, the national team would be fancying their chances against the US.

But Yorke and Edwards received injuries in a warm-up match against a Tobago XI on Monday and are doubtful for today’s game. Yorke is suffering from a slight injury while Edwards is still feeling a twinge on his recently-operated knee. The national team were based for the last four days at Grafton Beach Resort in the sister isle, Tobago and would return to Trinidad this morning. Meanwhile, the Americans arrived in Trinidad on Monday night and held their lone practice session at the Oval yesterday.

Included in the US line-up, under coach Bruce Arena are European-based players Kasey Keller, Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley and Brian McBride. The US team are undefeated in 29 games against CONCACAF opponents and would be looking to preserve their unbeaten record against Trinidad and Tobago. But, with Yorke making an international comeback and fellow strikers John and Cornell Glen getting back to full fitness, the American defence would be in for a tough time this afternoon.

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Shaka Hislop, Clayton Ince (goalkeepers); Marvin Andrews, Keyeno Thomas, Kenwyne Jones, Brent Sancho, David Charles, Anton Pierre, Derek King, Marlon Rojas (defenders); David Nakhid, Anthony Rougier, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Angus Eve, Densil Theobald, Carlos Edwards (midfielders); Cornell Glen, Carlos Edwards, Dwight Yorke, Stern John, Scott Sealy, Nigel Pierre (strikers).
USA: Kasey Keller, Marcus Hahnemann, Joe Cannon (goalkeepers); Chris Albright, Gregg Berhalter, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Jim Conrad, Cory Gibbs, Eddie Pope (defenders); DaMarcus Beasley, Clint Dempsey, Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Lewis, Pablo Mastroeni, Clint Mathis, Ben Olsen (midfielders); Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson, Brian McBride, Taylor Twellman, Josh Wolff (strikers).