Soca Warriors eye Copa America spot

DALLAS, Texas (CMC):

Trinidad & Tobago men’s national team have their eyes firmly fixed on a place in the Copa America when they face Canada in a Concacaf Nations League playoff match tomorrow in the United States.

The winners of the match to be played at Toyota Field, the home of Major League Soccer outfit FC Dallas, will become one of six Concacaf guest teams in the South American championship, which will take place from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.

Soca Warriors captain Aubrey David said he was determined to lead by example in defence, where he is expected to collide with a Canadian offence, which includes Mallorca forward Cyle Larin, Lille attacker Jonathan David, and Bayern Munich winger Alphonso.

“With it being a one-off game, we have to give everything,” he told Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Media. “We are 90 minutes away from making history and changing our lives forever.

“That’s motivation to give everything, to die, basically, on the field. Anything can happen. We just need to believe in ourselves and try to make history.”

He added: “It’s very important for the country and very important for our careers personally, and as a team. I think we just need to settle and get focused and take every day as a step.

“I think it is a big opportunity for us as a nation to be in the Copa America. It’s the biggest thing for us after World Cup (qualification).”

T&T showed a lot of character in their League A quarterfinal series against the United States, losing 4-2 on aggregate, including a 2-1 win in the second leg and going 80 minutes without conceding a goal while playing a man down in the first leg.

The Soca Warriors were excellent in the group stage, finishing second in Group A with three wins and one loss.

Striker Levi Garcia has recovered from a series of injuries that sidelined him during the CNL campaign, and he has been in fine form for AEK Athens in Greece and will be looking to transfer his rich vein of form to this contest.

“It feels good to be back,” he said. “It’s always a pleasure to represent our country. We know the game that’s at stake. From now, I usually picture myself either scoring or celebrating.

“I start preparing my mind from now for 90-plus minutes, fighting for every ball. I start seeing myself winning tackles, winning duels, winning everything, and trying my best to get the win,” he said.