MIAMI, Florida – Trinidad and Tobago are hoping to return to the Concacaf Gold Cup for the 11th time, but first they must navigate their way through the 2021 Gold Cup Prelims, beginning with a first round match-up with Montserrat on July 2.
In some ways, the encounter with the Emerald Boys represents a fresh start for the Soca Warriors.
The Caribbean side were unable to advance past the First Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022, prompting a series of changes both at the coaching and player level.
Angus Eve has been called upon to serve as Interim Head Coach for the Prelims and he will be leaning on a group of players, many of who hail from Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic league.
However, there are a few players who ply their trade elsewhere that could spur the Soca Warriors onto the Gold Cup group stage. MF Kevin Molino, who has 19 international goals, is back in the mix and will be helped by the likes of fellow MFs Khaleem Hyland and Joevin Jones.
Eve has also named promising youngster Molik Jesse Khan to his squad. The 17-year-old MF is known for his technical ability and physical stature despite his young age and has recently been on trial at MLS side New York Red Bulls.
In the back, Eve knows he can count on the play of DF Aubrey David, who is coming off another excellent season with Costa Rican giants Deportivo Saprissa, helping the Monstruo Morado reach the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League Final.
Trinidad and Tobago are a Gold Cup mainstay and one of the few Caribbean sides to reach a semifinal (2000), so the expectation back home will be for this team, which possesses a blend of youth and experience, to make another group stage appearance.
