Five Things to Know about Trinidad and Tobago

The U.S. Men's National Team will aim to clinch a spot in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals when it meets Trinidad and Tobago in its third and final Group A match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, July 2 at 7 p.m. ET (FOX, Univision, Futbol de Primera Radio).

The USA, which moved up two spots to 11th place in the most recent FIFA rankings that were released on Thursday, is undefeated in the competition (1-0-1) after registering a 6-0 triumph over St. Kitts and Nevis in St. Louis on Wednesday, June 28. Jesús Ferreira secured his second international hat-trick, Djordje Mihailovic scored twice and Bryan Reynolds once. In their opener, the Americans played Jamaica to a 1-1 draw.

The Soca Warriors, who were ranked at 101, enter the match at 1-1-0. They opened with a 3-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis on Sunday, June 25 before dropping a 4-1 decision to Jamaica on Wednesday, June 28.

T&T originally did not qualify for this tournament. But the Caribbean side received a second chance when Nicaragua was thrown out of the competition on June 12 for using an ineligible player in eight previous matches, including the Concacaf Nations League.  

FOOTBALLING AND GOLD CUP HISTORY

While cricket was Trinidad and Tobago’s first leading sport, soccer was introduced in the 1890s, inter-colonial club matches started soon after and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation was formed in 1908.

The island nation gained its independence in 1962 and joined FIFA as a full-fledged member association in 1964. Nine years later, the Soca Warriors fell just short of qualifying for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany when they fell 2-1 to Haiti after some controversial officiating following which two of the match’s referees were banned for life by FIFA.

Trinidad and Tobago faced heartbreak again during qualifying for the 1990 World Cup. Needing only a draw on the final day to qualify for the tournament in Italy, the visiting United States used Paul Caligiuri’s famous “Shot Heard Round the World” to top the hosts 1-0 and qualify for its first World Cup since 1950.

Trinidad finally reached international soccer’s biggest stage in 2006. Rallying from a slow start to the qualifying tournament, the Soca Warriors reached an intercontinental playoff with Bahrain. After a 1-1 draw at home, the Caribbean country won 1-0 on the road to book its ticket to Germany, becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup until Iceland in 2018.

The Soca Warriors have found some success in regional and sub-regional competition. Trinidad has qualified for 12 Gold Cups, highlighted by a third-place finish in 2000. They also reached the quarterfinals twice (2013, 2015).

USMNT VS. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO IN THE GOLD CUP

Across all competitions and friendlies, the USA holds a 20-3-4 advantage over the Caribbean side. The teams have squared off four times in the Gold Cup, with the USMNT winning all four encounters.

In both teams' very first Gold Cup match, the U.S. overcame a one-goal deficit by scoring twice in the final four minutes to register a 2-1 triumph at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on June 29, 1991. Bruce Murray equalized in the 86th minute and defender Marcelo Balboa scored a dramatic bicycle kick two minutes later for the game-winner. Leonson Lewis had given Trinidad the lead, putting home his own rebound past goalkeeper Tony Meola. The Americans went on to win the inaugural competition.

When the Gold Cup was a winter tournament, the USA won another tight one, this time a 3-2 victory in Anaheim, Calif. on Jan. 13, 1996. Joe-Max Moore's free just outside the box beat keeper Ross Russell in the 54th minute for the game-winner. The teams traded first-half goals as Eric Wynalda (15th and 34th minutes) and Trinidad's Arnold Dwarika (sixth and 43rd minutes) traded braces.

The USA secured a 2-0 win in Carson, Calif. to clinch a quarterfinal spot, on Jan. 9, 2007 as keeper Kasey Keller recorded the clean sheet in his 99th international appearance. Brian Ching tallied in the 29th minute, converting a long pass from Justin Mapp. Then Landon Donovan set up Eddie Johnson's 54th-minute goal.

In the most lopsided result of the Gold Cup series, the Americans rolled to a 6-0 win on the strength of a five-goal second half to book a quarterfinal berth, on June 22, 2019, in the first confrontation between the two teams since the USA's 2-1 loss in Couva, Trinidad in 2017. Gyasi Zardes bagged a brace within a three-minute span and defender Aaron Long tallied his two first international goals in Cleveland, Ohio. Christian Pulisic and Paul Arriola also found the net.

RECENT MATCHES

Prior to Wednesday's loss to Jamaica, the Soca Warriors were undefeated in seven games this year (5-0-2), outscoring their foes, 11-2. That included six clean sheets.

They began 2023 with a 2-0 friendly win at home over Saint Martin on Jan. 29, as Ajani Fortune and Real Gill found the net. They continued their shutout streak with a 1-0 friendly victory at Jamaica, on the strength of Reon Moore's goal on March 11 and a scoreless draw at the Reggae Boyz three days later.

T&T then recorded a 3-0 triumph at the Bahamas in the Concacaf Nations League on March 24 behind first-half goals by Kareem Moses (fifth minute), Joevin Jones (26th minute) and Ryan Telfer (34th minute) scored. The Caribbean side played Nicaragua to a 1-1 home tie in another CNL match on March 27 as Joevin Jones tallied a 42nd minute equalizer.

In a Gold Cup warm-up game, Trinidad blanked Guatemala on June 11 in Chester, Pa., 1-0, as Jones converted a 53rd-minute penalty kick.

Trinidad recorded a 3-0 victory over Saint Kitts & Nevis in its Gold Cup opener in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Sunday, June 25 as Alvin Jones (43rd minute) and Fortune (65th minute) found the net. Jameel Ible scored an own goal in the 73rd minute. Goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup recorded the clean sheet.

In its second match, T&T endured a difficult start in its 4-1 loss to Jamaica, conceding three goals in the opening half hour in St. Louis on Wednesday, June 28. Demarai Gray scored twice (14th and 30th minutes) and Leon Bailey once (18th minute). Andre Rampersad pulled one back four minutes into the second half. Dujuan Richards closed out the scoring for the winners two minutes into stoppage time.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MANAGER

Angus Eve took over the reins as head coach and the Under-20 coach on Sept. 2, 2021. He replaced former England international Terry Fenwick, who failed to get the side past the first round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

His coaching experience includes stints as an assistant coach with San Juan Jabloteh and Ma Pau Stars in the TT Pro League and manager of the Trinidad Under-23 squad during qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

A former defender for the Soca Warriors, Eve’s 117 caps are the most all-time in the country’s history, while his 34 goals rank him second all-time behind only Stern John. On the club level, he played for Joe Public, Defence Force, and San Juan Jabloteh in the TT Pro League and one season for Chester City (England).

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ROSTER

Twelve members of the 23-man roster selected by head coach Angus Eve perform in the United States or Canada.

Nine players compete in Major League Soccer, USL Championship, MLS NEXT Pro or National Independent Soccer Association.

The U.S. contingent is led by veteran midfielder-forward Kevin Molino, who has scored more than 20 times for his country. He has recorded 34 goals and 29 assists in 129 MLS appearances, which has included stints with Orlando City, Minnesota United and currently with the Columbus Crew. Ajani Fortune is a promising 20-year midfielder with Atlanta United. Seven players perform in the lower divisions.

Three other members of the squad play in the Canadian Premierl League - forward Malcolm Shaw and defender Luke Singh, a late addition after defender Daniel Phillips was injured, perform for Atletico Ottawa, and midfielder Andre Rampersad competes for HFX Wanderers.

Two players compete in Europe - midfielder Levi Garcia with AEK Athens (Greece), who has scored 26 goals in 90 club appearances, and defender Sheldon Bateau with Beveran (Belgium).

Five teammates perform in the TT Premier Football League - goalkeepers Marvin Phillip (Port of Spain) and Denzil Smith (W Connection), defender Alvin Jones (Sando), midfielder Real Gill (Sando) and forward Kadeem Corbin (La Horquetta Rangers). Jones scored the winning goal that knocked the USA out of contention for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a 2-1 T&T win in Couva, Trinidad on Oct. 10, 2017. 

DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (3): Marvin Phillip (Port of Spain), Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim), Denzil Smith (W Connection)

DEFENDERS (9): Aubrey David (Alajuelense/CRC), Sheldon Bateau (Beveren/BEL), Leland Archer (Charleston Battery/USA), Luke Singh (Atletico Ottawa/CAN), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC/USA), Kareem Moses (FF Jaro/FIN), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC/USA), Alvin Jones (Sando), Triston Hodge (Hartford Athletic/USA)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Joevin Jones (unattached), Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United/USA), Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew/USA), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens/GRE), Real Gill (Sando), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots/USA), Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers/CAN), Kaile Auvray (Sporting Kansas City II/USA), Molik Khan (Minnesota United 2/USA)

FORWARDS (2): Kadeem Corbin (La Horquetta Rangers), Malcolm Shaw (Atletico Ottawa/CAN)