Grayson ready for Metrostars test

RECENTLY-APPOINTED CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh coach Michael Grayson is prepared for today’s warm-up fixture against Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit New York/New Jersey Metrostars, scheduled for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 7 pm. Grayson, a former national defender, will be using the match to take a look at four recent signees —  Guyanese Charles Pollard (defender) and Nigel Codrington (striker), Jamaican forward Nicholas Addlery and goalkeeper Brian James.

The Americans are in Trinidad and Tobago for a one-week two-match visit, as they conclude their preparations for the 2005 MLS season while Jabloteh will be vying to redeem themselves from a trophy-less 2004 season. Ironically, both the Pro League and MLS seasons are expected to kick off on April 2. Following yesterday’s practice session at the Mucurapo venue, Grayson said: “It’s definitely going to be a challenge. “Metrostars are one of the top teams in the MLS and, even though they may not have brought down (retired French midfielder Youri) Djorkaeff, they are still a quality team and it’s really going to be a test for Jabloteh,” he added. Grayson, who is taken over the reins from Englishman Steve Rutter (who was relieved of his duties before the end of last season), is confident that the team will adapt to the change at the helm.

“Our style may have changed a bit and the players have adjusted to it nicely,” he stated. Featuring in the Metrostars’ line-up are defender Jeff Agoos, a veteran of 134 international caps, ex-US players Jonny Walker and John Wolyniec, Brazilian Gilberto Flores, Argentina-born Colombian striker Sergio Galvan Rey, Honduras captain Amado Guevara and American Under-17 midfielder Michael Bradley, son of Metrostars’ coach Bob Bradley. The Metrostars will conclude their two-match tour of Trinidad and Tobago with a clash against Pro Bowl and FCB Cup holders W Connection at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Friday.

Today’s match will be preceded by another warm-up fixture between the Jabloteh Under-16 squad and the national women’s team. Also welcoming the Metrostars to Trinidad is former national midfielder Dexter Skeene. Skeene, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the T&T Pro League, stated: “We are very encouraged by (their) visit, which will be of tremendous benefit to the two teams.” “It is in keeping with the League’s vision to expose the local players to top quality opposition and to prove that the professional teams in Trinidad and Tobago are able to hold their own against top US competition,” Skeene added.

Teams —
SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (from): Duarance Williams, Brian James (goalkeepers); Nigel Daniel, Charles Pollard, Keyeno Thomas, Ansil Elcock, Vernon Bailey, Dexter Franklyn, Marcelle Francois (defenders); Angus Eve, Trent Noel, Josh Johnson, Otis Seaton, Michael Celestine, Kerry Baptiste, Travis Mulraine (midfielders); Nigel Pierre, Nicholas Addlery, Devon Mitchell, Nigel Codrington (strikers).
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY METROSTARS (from): Mike Ueltschey, Jonny Walker, Zach Wells (goalkeepers); Jeff Agoos, Chris Leitch, Carlos Mendes, Mahktar N’daiye, Jeff Parke, Tim Regan, Seth Stammler, Tim Ward (defenders); Michael Bradley, Chris Corcoran, Gilberto Flores, Amado Guevara, Jason Hernandez, Mark Lisi (midfielders); Ramon Bailey, Sergio Galvan Rey, John Wolyniec (strikers).