Trinidad & Tobago vs. Cuba
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Sunday, July 12 | 6:30 pm ET | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Fox Sports 2, UDN in the US, Sportsnet World in Canada
Two countries at opposite ends of the Group C table will face off in the opener of Sunday’s Gold Cup doubleheader in Phoenix, with Trinidad & Tobago looking for full points against a depleted Cuban side.
Not much was expected from either team heading into the tournament, but Trinidad & Tobago showed well in their first match, impressing with a 3-1 win against Guatemala in Chicago on Thursday. Cuba didn’t fare nearly as well, dropping a 6-0 result to Mexico in the second match of the Soldier Field doubleheader while missing their head coach and six players due to visa issues and another player due to defection.
T&T AIM TO CLINCH QUARTERS: Following their solid performance against Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago are looking to book their place in the quarters on Sunday. A win would automatically put the Soca Warriors through to the final eight, while a draw coupled with a Mexico win against Guatemala in the nightcap would also put the island nation through to the knockout rounds. It’d be the second-straight appearance in the quarterfinals for T&T, who – prior to the 2013 tournament – hadn’t advanced past the Gold Cup group stage since 2000.
MLS WARRIORS: MLSers shone brightly for Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday, with the San Jose Earthquakes’ Cordell Cato, Columbus Crew SC’s Kevan George and the Chicago Fire’s Joevin Jones all getting the start and Cato and Jones each bagging a goal. Jones – one of the Fire’s few bright spots this year – impressed throughout, doing enough to take home Man of the Match honors.
He’ll no doubt be looking for another one of these on Sunday:
CUBA PRAY FOR REINFORCEMENTS: Poor, poor Cuba. Due to the aforementioned visa issues and defection, Cuba had just 16 players and was without their head coach in Thursday night’s 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Mexico. As of Saturday afternoon, it wasn’t clear whether or not they’d arrive in time for Sunday’s encounter. Make no mistake – they’re needed. This is a Cuban team that’s already eliminated from World Cup qualifying and, in addition to Thursday’s demolition, recently lost a friendly to the NASL’s New York Cosmos.
