All 2006 World Cup veterans playing abroad won't be playing because of a dispute with the T&T federation over World Cup bonuses.
Dwight Yorke, the T&T captain at the 2006 World Cup, turned down an offer to return to the national team. His decision not to come out of international retirement a second time was reportedly to support his World Cup teammates who are currently locked in a dispute over bonuses with the T&T federation.
Coach Wim Rijsbergen will be taking a team comprised almost entirely of players from the T&T Pro League. The only foreign-based layer is former Liberty University star Darryl Roberts, who joined Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam after the 2006 college season.
Another blow was an injury to midfielder Kerwyn Jemmott, who was playing for Superstar Rangers in the T&T Pro Bowl final on Friday.
T&T is warming for the Gold Cup by hosting the Digicel Shield in Port of Spain. In the semifinals, the Soca Warriors beat Haiti, 1-0, to gain revenge for their loss to Haiti in the final of the 2007 Digicel Caribbean Cup. Andre Toussaint scored the winning goal in the 76th minute.
Mexico's Pan-American Team defeated St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 8-7, on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the opening match of the four-team friendly event that will conclude Wednesday with the championship and third-place games at Hansley Crawford Stadium.
T&T vs. Haiti: Phillip, Noreiga, K.Thomas, N.Thomas, Aguillera, C.Baptiste, Pacheco, Spann (K.Baptiste, 67), Theobald, Glasgow (Toussaint, 67), Roberts (McFarlane, 67).
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