Paul, Hodge off to Memphis 901 FC

NATIONAL footballers Triston Hodge and Leston Paul have been acquired by Memphis 901 FC’s crest as its inaugural 2019 United Soccer League campaign approaches. Also picked up by the American club is Reggae Boy Ewan Grandison

Hodge arrives on loan from recently crowned TT Pro League champions W Connection, while Paul and Grandison are leaving Pro League runners-up Central FC.

“W Connection and Central FC are two of the elite Clubs of the Caribbean, and we are fortunate to be able to add several of their top players to our team,” Memphis 901 FC Sporting Director Andrew Bell said. “Triston, Leston, and Ewan have all won domestic trophies and have also competed over several years in the CONCACAF Champions League. In addition, all three players have considerable international experience playing for their respective countries at the highest level.

“These are strong additions to the squad, and we look forward to welcoming them to Memphis.”

Grandison and Paul play in the midfield, and Hodge is a defender. Pending league and federation approval, they will join defender Louis Bennett, defender Wes Charpie, forward Heviel Cordovés, midfielder Raul Gonzalez, midfielder Dan Metzger, defender Josh Morton, and forward Luca Uccello on the team’s 2019 roster.

“We are so excited to have secured the services of Ewan, Triston, and Leston,” Memphis 901 FC head coach Tim Mulqueen said. “It’s a very important statement for our club and the city of Memphis to attract three full senior international players in our first year of existence. These players have tremendous experience in massive games for their respective countries that will be invaluable to our club. They will also be great members of the Memphis community.”

The trio is no stranger to the game’s biggest moments.

Hodge and Paul played in TT’s 2-1 win over the United States in World Cup qualifying in 2017, and Paul led Central FC to three TT Pro League titles, in addition to playing on back-to-back Caribbean Club Championship squads. Grandison adds multiple appearances in Caribbean Cup qualifiers.

They will fit right in with their new Memphis 901 FC teammates.

Paul played collegiately at the University of South Florida, where he was a captain and teammates with Charpie. Hodge, Charpie, and Uccello were also teammates previously with Toronto FC II.

And the group has played under men who know the game on an intimate level. W Connection FC is led by Stuart Charles-Fevrier, who has won six TT Pro League titles and numerous other league championships, and Central FC is coached by former MLS scoring champion Stern John and led by 2006 World Cup participant Brent Sancho.