Midfielder Kevin Molino bounced back from being dropped from Orlando City’s previous MLS league outing against Montreal by coming off the bench to score in the team’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.
Molino scored the equaliser after being on the field for just 30 seconds which left head coach Adrian Heath satisfied with at least one aspect of his team’s game after they conceded two soft goals.
“I don’t need to express my feelings about Kevin,” Heath added. “He is probably as talented as anyone in this club but I felt like I needed to shake things up after the Kansas City game, and he has responded well.
“Every time you go on the pitch, you have an opportunity to impress the coach, and he did that tonight. He has not sulked, he gave us some energy, and he has also given me an issue for the team at New York on Sunday.”
Molino agreed with Heath. “I thought we needed some energy and determination, and I just wanted to show some motivation,” he said. “Whether I start or whatever, I just want to do what I can to help us get some points.”
Despite Molino's key goal, Orlando City captain Kaka admitted there was plenty of frustration—both for himself for a missed first-half penalty kick and within the team for blowing a lead as well as picking up 10 cards in the span of five days.
Meantime, fellow T&T player Cordell Cato made his first MLS appearance for the season in San Jose Quakes’ 1-1 draw with La Galaxy on Sunday. Cato missed the first three months of the season with a hamstring injury. T&T defender Mekeil Williams also made the MLS “Team of the Week” the previous week for outstanding display for Colorado Rapids. He has started seven games straight for the club. He helped the club to a 1-0 win over Joevin Jones’ Seattle Sounders last Saturday.
Belgrave, Swift help Dallas to big win
T&T women’s team duo Rhea Belgrave and Victoria Swift both made their debut in the American women’s Premier Soccer League for FC Dallas on Saturday.
Both saw action in a huge 8-0 win over Texas Titans at McKinney High School Stadium. Belgrave played a part in her team’s fourth goal when her throw in made its way through to Natalie Schmutz, who made no mistake from just beyond the penalty spot.
“They both made their debuts and put in pretty decent performances,” Dallas coach Ben Waldrum said. “Rhea started at right back and played for 60 minutes and Victoria started at centre back for 65 minutes. Victoria was very solid in the defence and good in possession to help start and build the attack. Overall it was a great way for us to start the season,” Waldrum added.
“It’s a good sign for women’s football that we can have players like Rhea and Victoria playing at this level. It’s a progressive league and one of a very good standard. At Dallas we’ll also ensure they are in a top environment,” Walrdum said. T&T defender Karyn Forbes is also attached to the team but is recovering from injury at the moment.
Cupid aiming for T&T debut in U-20 qualifiers
National Under 20 team defender Corey Cupid is hoping to make his debut for this country in the upcoming Caribbean Football Union qualifying phase June 15-19 at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
T&T are carded to face Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Turks and Caicos as they seek a place in the CFU final round ahead of the CONCACAF Finals in Costa Rica. The 2017 FIFA Under 20 World Cup takes place in South Korea.
Cupid is currently part of a squad in training under head coach Brian Williams. His brother Kern is a former T&T senior team defender who also played for DirecTV Connection.
“Kern is my brother. He is my icon and he had a very big part in me reacting this far in football,” the 19-year –old Cupid form Chaguanas said.
“I started laying at six. I came through the ranks at W Connection and I’ve won the League and Big five at Presentation College San Fernando. Football is my life right now and being part of the National Under 20 set up is my biggest accomplishment to date. It is an absolute joy and privilege to be on this team at the moment. It has been a wonderful experience to far. This is my first time with a national team and I am looking forward to staying on the team.
“Coach Brian was in charge of me at Under 16 level both at Connection and Presentation. He is a very possession-based and he stresses on hard work which is going to be the key for us being successful in the tournament coming up,” Cupid added.
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Shaun Fuentes
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Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
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