Solid Tridents squad named ahead of Concacaf Gold Cup

Barbados’ chances of qualifying for the Concacaf Gold Cup are the best they have ever been. With their first match scheduled for July 2nd against Bermuda, the Barbados Tridents are getting themselves in gear and have named one of their strongest teams ever assembled to date.

Coming off the momentum of a commendable showing at the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers in the Dominican Republic, the Tridents are currently in training at home before heading off to Fort Lauderdale. Speaking to Head Coach Russell Latapy recently during a training session at the Wildey Turf, it was revealed that several of the overseas-based players were available for the outing.

Most notably, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Nick Blackman was in attendance after not being available for the last assignment and Latapy told The Barbados Advocate that the squad also included the likes of Curtis Hutson, Omani Leacock, Ryan Trotman, Dwayne Green, Hallam Hope, and Krystian Pearce.

“Added to these players, we have a strong base of local players who we have been working with three or four times a week. So we’ve got Niall Reid-Stephen, we’ve got Carl Hinkson, we’ve got Akeem Hill, we’ve got Mario Williams, Hadan Holligan, Rashad Jules, Keon Atkins, Armando Lashley, ‘Apple’ Applewhaite, just to name a few – we are a strong squad! We have been working hard and trying to get ourselves ready for these two games. We will just keep working as much as we can to do the best that we can,” Latapy said.

With the traveling team being announced over the weekend, he went on to note that if we win against Bermuda, the next assignment would be against the winner of a match between Haiti and St. Vincent, and a win there would see us into the Gold Cup.

“This is what we are working towards. Fair play to the boys – we have come a long way and they have worked really hard to get themselves in this position and we are continuing to work, to try and achieve these goals.”

With the likes of Rashad Jules, Roshon Gittens and Kishmar Primus all in the training squad after missing or having their campaign in the World Cup qualifiers cut short due to injury, Latapy said that anything was possible at this point.

“It’s great to have them back. I don’t think the guys are 100% healthy at this particular point. We know that it’s a normal thing that you go through games and a lot of times – most times in fact, you’re not 100% fit. We have a week or 10 days before we play, so it’s just a question of giving them 10 more days to see how they are. But I believe where they are at present, in 10 days time they should be ready to play and represent their country,” he revealed. (MP)

Team list for Concacaf Gold Cup

Liam Brathwaite, Kishmar Primus, Nashton Browne, Carl Hinkson, Rashad Smith, Mario Williams, Akeem Hill, Krystian Pearce, Andre Applewhaite, Dwayne Green, Jomo Harris, Ackeel Applewhaite, Hadan Holligan, Omani Leacock, Niall Reid-Stephen, Ryan Trotman, Nicholas Blackman, Hallam Hope, Keon Atkins, Curtis Jemmett-Hutson, Tajio James, Emile Saimovici, Rashad Jules, Antone Greaves