Trinidad and Tobago were pushed into the Copa America 2024 play-in round as one of the four losing quarter finalists in the Concacaf Nations League having been beaten 4-3 on aggregate by the US.
What to expect
After winning the first leg 2-1 in Trinidad, they were beaten 3-0 in the US, but it took the Americans until deep into the second half before they secured progression to the semi.
Now Trinidad face Canada, who were knocked out of the quarter-finals on penalties by Jamaica, in a one-off play-in at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The winner will qualify for group A of the Copa America alongside Chile, Peru and reigning Fifa World Cup champions Argentina.
Trinidad qualified for the 2023 Gold Cup last June through the preliminary qualifiers but then went on to be hammered by the US 6-0 and Jamaica 4-1, but overcoming St Kitts and Nevis 3-0.
They will have to step up a big level if they are to challenge Canada who have called in all their overseas stars.
Coach Angus Eve has picked a squad that draws 11 players from domestic clubs and 12 from overseas. The problem for Eve is that not all the overseas clubs are playing in the top tiers of their national leagues.
Beating Canada would be a major achievement.
Players to watch
Levi Garcia who plays for AEK in Greece with his brother Judah Garcia is a key component in the Trinidad midfield and will scores goals going forward.
He will partner with Atlanta United midfielder Ajani Fortune, who last represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, returns to the team after dealing with a number injuries.
Manager
Angus Eve is a Trinidadian former professional and the head coach of since 2021. With 117 caps, he is Trinidad & Tobago’s most capped player of all time. In 2023 he too charge for a second Gold Cup after leading the team to a third-place finish in the group stage two years ago. He was a player in their run to the semi-finals in 2000.
After the 2023 Gold Cup, Eve left the team only to return at the end of the year for the Nations League campaign.
Schedule
Saturday March 23 vs Canada, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas. 1pm kick-off
Squad
| # | Position | Name | Date of birth | Club |
| 1 | GK | CHRISTOPHER BIGGETTE | 17.02.1996 | DEFENCE FORCE FC (TRI) |
| 2 | DF | AUBREY DAVID | 11.10.1990 | CS CARTAGINES (CRC) |
| 3 | DF | ROSS RUSSELL | 09.01.1992 | LA HORQUETTA RANGERS (TRI) |
| 4 | DF | JESSE WILLIAMS | 18.05.2001 | CV FUEGO FC (USA) |
| 5 | DF | ROBERT PRIMUS | 10.11.1990 | POLICE FC (TRI) |
| 6 | DF | ANDRE RAYMOND | 09.11.2000 | G.D. VILAR DE PERDIZES (POR) |
| 7 | DF | NOAH POWDER | 27.10.1998 | NORTHERNCOLORADO HAILSTORM (USA) |
| 8 | MF | DANIEL PHILLIPS | 18.01.2001 | ST JOHNSTONE FC (SCO) |
| 9 | MF | NATHANIEL JAMES | 17.06.2004 | MOUNT PLEASANT F.A. (JAM) |
| 10 | MF | REAL GILL | 23.01.2003 | CLUB SANDO FC (TRI) |
| 11 | MF | LEVI GARCIA | 20.11.1997 | AEK ATHENS FC (GRE) |
| 12 | MF | KEVON GODDARD | 20.01.1996 | DEFENCE FORCE FC (TRI) |
| 13 | MF | REON MOORE | 22.09.1996 | DEFENCE FORCE FC (TRI) |
| 14 | DF | SHANNON GOMEZ | 05.10.1996 | SAN ANTONIO FC (USA) |
| 15 | MF | NEVEAL HACKSHAW | 21.09.1995 | OAKLAND ROOTS SC (USA) |
| 16 | DF | ALVIN JONES | 09.07.1994 | POLICE FC (TRI) |
| 17 | DF | JUSTIN GARCIA | 26.10.1995 | DEFENCE FORCE FC (TRI) |
| 18 | MF | ANDRE RAMPERSAD | 02.02.1995 | HFX WANDERERS FC (CAN) |
| 19 | MF | AJANI FORTUNE | 30.12.2002 | ATLANTA UNITED FC (USA) |
| 20 | MF | KAILE AUVRAY | 27.05.2004 | MOUNT PLEASANT F.A. (JAM) |
| 21 | GK | ADRIAN FONCETTE | 10.10.1988 | POLICE FC (TRI) |
| 22 | GK | DENZIL SMITH | 13.10.1999 | CLUB SANDO FC (TRI) |
| 23 | MF | JUDAH GARCIA | 24.10.2000 | AEK ATHENS FC (GRE) |