Since this country's 2-1 victory over the United States in last month 2018 World Cup qualifying match at the Ato Boldon Stadium, things has been going soar for T&T players who ply their trades in the U.S at a rapid rate.
The T&T defeat subsequently meant a lot as it resulted in the Americans being knocked out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, a first since re-entering the tournament in 1990 and now, T&T players seems to be paying the price?
Ironically, back in 1989 it was the Americans doing the damage when they sneezed past T&T 1-0 in Port of Spain that dashed T&T hopes of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup finals, instead USA were the ones going to Italy. The United States have participated at the 1930, 1934 and 1950 World Cups but did not see another one until 1990 which came at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago.
To start things off, Kenwyne Jones were first to be dumped by his club Atlanta United, spending only one season with the MLS team in it's inaugural 2017 season. Jones, 33, played 17 games and scored 2 goals for them since joining the club on the 15th of July, 2016. Last week the giant striker also announced his retirement from the game.
Former W Connection right-back Shannon Gomez, 21, also made way after his club New York City FC had his options exercised for the 2018 campaign. New York City FC initially signed Shannon Gomez as a Discovery Signing on loan from W Connection on March 3, 2016 before making the move permanent in the off-season. Gomez joined Pittsburgh Riverhounds on loan from NYCFC for the 2017 season on June 29.
Colorado Rapids announced yesterday that they too will not exercise contract options on Mekeil Williams. The 27-year old T&T defender had signed for the Colorado based club on the 4th of February, 2016, he played in 38 games for them. The well traveled center-back played for a couple of clubs in T&T including Ma Pau and W Connection, he also played in Denmark, Poland and Guatemala before going to the U.S.
Last but not least, Cordell Cato became the latest T&T player to be expelled by his employers. San Jose Earthquakes said they will not exercise options on the speedy winger for the upcoming 2018 season. The Carenage-born player, made 111 appearance for the club, racking up 7-goals. Cato was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes on March 1, 2013, by his parent club, Seattle Sounders. The former San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force attacker, still, only 25-years of age should not have any problems finding another club with his talent and experience.
Joevin Jones however got one over his club Seattle Sounders when he refused to renew his MLS contract after spending a season long with the club and instead opted for Germany to join SV Darmstadt 98. Jones emerged as one of the league’s best left backs in his first season with the Rave Green. He scored 3 goals, made 63 appearances and is on the verge of creating history with the most assist for a defender, Jones, currently at 11 already for the season. The talented defender also played a monumental part in the club's push for back-to-back MLS titles. Sounders won the MLS Cup for the first in it's club history in 2016.
Meanwhile, with still roughly 14 T&T players left in the USL and NASL leagues and one in MLS (Kevin Molino) time will tell if indeed T&T players are really paying the price for what is considered by the Americans as their most embarrassing defeat in it's country soccer history.