Trinidad and Tobago footballer Marie-Frances Serrant is looking forward to the clash against hosts Mexico in the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifier at Estadio Hidalgo, Pachuca on Tuesday. Kick-off is 10 pm (TT time).
The striker told TTFA media, “It means a lot to come out here and against all odds fight for a spot in the Gold Cup. It means a lot because a lot of eyes are on us and on me as an upcoming player to carry the mantle for T&T. With this platform, we definitely have to play really hard.”
She added, “We are sticking together to help the new faces. The new faces are doing good and I`m happy that they took the call-up to strengthen and widen our group.”
She further explained that playing in Mexico last year for the World Cup qualifiers helped them to adjust to the weather and altitude conditions leading up to the match.
Within the last few months, Serrant has joined the ranks as a professional player joining Nepean FC NSW League One in Australia. The 20 year old discussed her switch to professional football: “The World Cup campaign ended last year. I went back to University West Texas A&M; I had a pretty good season, I won offensive player of the year and I made All- Conference, All- Region and All American. Then, In January/ February, I got contacted with a few teams to play pro and withdraw from school. I went to Australia, and I played there and had a good season.”
The former youth player has the experience of already having a few years of senior football and believes that she knows her role on the team.
T&T SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Kimika Forbes (Unattached), Simone Eligon (Unattached (foreign base), Malaika Dedier (St Augustine/Cunapia United)
DEFENDERS: Crystal Molineaux (Trincity National FC), Tamara Johnson (AC Port of Spain), Chrissy Mitchell (Mc Connell University), Victoria Swift (Unattached), Karyn Forbes (Unattached), Brittney Williams (St. Augustine/Cunapia United), Christa Waterman (Unattached (foreign base), Kedie Johnson (Lille F C - France),
MIDFIELDERS: Chelcy Ralph (Police FC), Renee Mike (Club Sando), Alexcia Ali (Club Sando), Asha James (RC Saint Denis - France), Talia Martin (Tobago Chicas FC), Sarah De Gannes (Western Illinois University), Naomie Guerra (AC Port of Spain FC), Taliah Simon (Alabama A&M University)
STRIKERS: Jolie St Louis ( University of Alabama), Reanah Campbell (Unattached- (foreign base), Maris-Frances Serrant (Unattached (foreign base), Tsaianne Leander (Luton Town Women FC).