[UPDATED] Yorke: Molino, Levi absence vs Cuba ‘a huge blow’

2 Days Ago

Trinidad and Tobago senior men’s head coach Dwight Yorke (C) and assistant coaches Russell Latapy (L) and Derek King during a team training session, on March 19, ahead of the Soca Warriors’ Concacaf Gold Cup prelim match, against Cuba, on March 21. - Photo courtesy TTFA Media

THE Soca Warriors will be without the experienced pair of Kevin Molino and Levi Garcia for their important 2025 Gold Cup qualifying match against Cuba, which will be played at the Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago on March 21 at 4 pm.

Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dwight Yorke is remaining optimistic and believes the available players will be ready for the challenge.

TT will host Cuba at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, on March 25 at 7 pm in the return leg.

The winner over the two legs will qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup, which will be held in the US and Canada from June 14-July 6.

Yorke told the media that Molino, Garcia and defender Jamal Jack will be unavailable.

Garcia will be absent because of injury and Jack has visa issues. A reason was not given for Molino’s unavailability.

Midfielder Molino, 34, recently returned to international football after initially announcing his retirement in September 2023. He has been in prolific form for Defence Force this season in the TT Premier Football League, finding the back of the net regularly.

Striker Garcia, 27, transferred earlier this year from AEK Athens in Greece to Spartak Moscow in Russia.

Trinidad and Tobago's Joevin Jones takes part in a team training session, in Miami, ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup prelims first leg match, against Cuba, on March 21, 2025. - Photo courtesy TTFA Media

Yorke expressed confidence in his team. “Players have to be ready to step up...it will open the door for other players,” he said during a media conference on Zoom on March 19.

The unavailability of those players is a big loss, Yorke said. “Levi Garcia – that is a huge blow, as we all know how important Levi is to this team...We definitely got information from their (Spartak Moscow) side and their doctors, medical people, that he had sustained a slight injury, which we had our medical people check and that seems to be the case.

“We got Molino (absent). Unfortunate circumstances, (but) don’t really want to comment too much more on that...Those three players are very important players to our group.” An evaluation will be made on Molino to see if he is available for the second leg, said Yorke.

Yorke expects brothers Joevin and Alvin Jones to step in as leaders. A captain has not been named yet.

“It is not a game that they should be fearful of. We have gone in there in the past and got good results and we are hoping and expecting to go in there (and compete), particularly in this game with the preparation (that we have had)...I still have a lot of confidence in the players that will be involved in the game on Friday.”

Cuba and TT are familiar with each other, having played twice in the Concacaf Nations League on October 10 and 14. The first leg in Cuba ended 2-2 and the second leg was won by TT 3-1.

The Soca Warriors coach said his players have to deliver as playing away is never easy.

“We know it is going to be a very competitive game. We got to go in and compete, it is as simple as that.

“If we don’t go in and compete in every aspect of the game then we are going to make the game extremely difficult. It is already a difficult game as it is on their home turf.”

Yorke said his players must have the right attitude, structure and balance.

Asked about the home leg against Cuba, Yorke wants the crowd to turn up in support. “In an ideal scenario, we want to win the game here and set up even more so at home, but whatever the result is, I want the country to be proud of this team and come out and really show their support...

“It would be beautiful to see a full stadium.

“I want to bring that buzz, that expectation that is surrounding the team, the love for the game again.”

Soca Warriors squad:

Goalkeepers: Marvin Phillip, Denzil Smith, Jabari St Hillaire.

Defenders: Aubrey David, Isaiah Garcia, Shannon Gomez, Darnell Hosepdales, Alvin Jones, Andre Raymond, Josiah Trimmingham.

Midfielders: Ajani Fortune, Wayne Frederick II, Dantaye Gilbert, Real Gill, Joevin Jones, Daniel Phillips, Andre Rampersad, Kaihim Thomas, Steffen Yeates.

Forwards: Nathaniel James, Isaiah Lee, Brent Sam, Tyrese Spicer.

This story was originally published with the title "Injured Levi Garcia out Soca Warriors clash vs Cuba" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

The Soca Warriors will be without the experienced pair of Kevin Molino and Levi Garcia for their important 2025 Gold Cup qualifying match against Cuba, which will be played at the Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago on March 21 at 4 pm.

A few days later, TT will host Cuba at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, on March 25, at 7 pm, in the return leg.

The winner over the two legs will qualify for the 2025 Gold Cup, which will be held in the US and Canada from June 14-July 6.

Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dwight Yorke told the media on March 19 that Molino, Garcia and defender Jamal Jack will be unavailable.

Garcia will be absent because of injury and Jack has visa issues. A reason was not given for Molino's unavailability.

Striker Garcia, 27, transferred earlier this year from AEK Athens in Greece to Spartak Moscow in Russia.

Yorke expressed confidence in his team without the trio. "Players have to be ready to step up...It will open the door for other players," he said during a media conference on Zoom on March 19.