What is of more concern is the inviting of Colombia. There invitation signals a continuing move by Concacaf to merge with the CSF. CSF is the South American governing body. The main idea is to create a Pan American football body that will rival UEFA. While the prospect of seeing T&T play Chile in Port of Spain is a good one. The fact of the matter is that teams in Concacaf are definitely not as strong as those in South America. South American teams like Bolivia, Peru and Uruguay are licking there chops at the increasing of World Cup spots from six to nine. A World Cup spot is worth a minimum US$750,000. That will be good money to those countires seeking to create and expand programs.  There is only one Concacaf team that can compete with South American teams that being Mexico. The USA has it's problems. While they beat Brazil at home last month, if they took there show on the road to Buenos Aires it would be a completely different story. After those two teams there is no team that can compete with South American teams. A fine example is what happened to Costa Rica this year in the Copa America. There full strength team got there tails knocked around. With regard to the currently inform Jamaica, while the tie with Brazil looks good and was well deserved, it came against a team that German manager Berti Vogts described as: "Brazil on vacation."

Concacaf has always had there "flavor of the World Cup." That being the team that jumps up and makes it to the World Cup only to disappear for the next World Cup campaigns.  In 1990 it was Costa Rica. This year it is Jamaica. In 2002 it might be T&T. However, if the merger goes through, T&T and the rest of Concacaf can kiss good-bye all there dreams of ever playing in the World Cup. The merger is not going to happen over night but at the current pace look out! T&T will be playing in Bolivia for there World Cup lives sometime in the next century.

Trinidad and Tobago remained in the same spot in the latest Fifa world rankings. They are still ranked 51st in the world nestled nicely between the Irish Republic (50th) and Greece (52nd). Trinidad and Tobago are still ranked second in the Caribbean and fifth in Concacaf behind Mexico (4th), USA (16th), Jamaica (33rd) and Costa Rica (49th).

               ANDREWS CAN BE KEY FIGURE FOR RAITH

               It is a shame for Raith Rovers that they have had to wait until so late in the
               season for the debut of the imposing Marvin Andrews. For as time rapidly runs
               out on their team's bid to reach the Premier League, Rovers fans saw someone
               on Saturday whose will to win could have made a difference to their flagging title
               challenge.

               But events have conspired against the club and Andrews, who first caught the
               eye last autumn but couldn't obtain a work permit until recently. Then the
               Trinidad and Tobago international was called up for his country for the Gold Cup
               tournament in California. He flew back a couple of weeks ago, but his first
               appearance for Rovers was put back further by a nasty infection in his leg.

               As Andrews explained, "It was an abscess on my thigh which made my leg
               swell up to 10 inches more than its usual size. I needed an operation to cut it
               open and clean out the infection." The surgery left a hole in the limb which had
               to be protected by strapping during the 1-1 draw with Airdrie at Stark's Park. But
               his ailment didn't prevent him putting in an accomplished display at the heart of
               the defence, which had boss Jimmy Nicholl enthusing, "He has the attitude and
               determination to win the ball that we need."

               Like most imports to our game, Andrews found the pace fast but the one aspect
               of life in Scotland that will take the most getting used to is the weather. He even
               found America's Golden State a bit dreich, never mind Kirkcaldy. "I have never
               experienced this kind of weather in my life before," said Andrews, on what was
               one of Fife's more temperate days of late. California was a little bit cold for my
               liking but this is something else. I'm used to the hot sun."

               Andrews is only 22 but remarkably has already collected 47 caps for his
               country. And, if he can cope with our climate, will be a fine addition to a Raith
               squad which, unfortunately, looks like spending next season in Division One

Trotman is the product of the national youth system, playing  for the national U-17, U-19, U20, and U-20 teams. He was also a two time All-American at the University of Mobile. This from Soccer America: "I think that people will be surprised by his ability," said Dallas coach Dave Dir. "For a first-year player, he should be able to make a big contribution. He's a proven goal scorer and we look for good things from him."  Trotman is happy at joining the Burn he said: "Since Major League Soccer was formed, it has been my dream to make it there...My dream is being fulfilled."

Trotman will join fellow Trinidad international Brian Haynes at Dallas.

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Marvin Andrews finally has his first cap under his belt. He started for Raith Rovers on Saturday afternoon in a 1-1 tie with Airdire. According to reports he had a good game and proved to be worth the wait for the Fife based club. However, he did not escape being booked by the referee.  This from the Raith Rover's homepage: "Our new marvellous defender, Marvin Andrews,  had a couple of good chances to score that were saved well by Airdrie's 'keeper Martin. Firstly, a cross from the left by Stein saw Marvin charge into the box and poke the ball goalwards, but it was scrambled away." You can hear Marvin's post game comments if you have real audio. If you need the software you can go to  the stadium. The tie keeps Raith in the running for a promotion into the Scottish Premier division.

Clint Marcelle and Barnsley is out of the F.A Cup. They lost to Newcastle 1-3. The lost means that Barnsley will not be playing in Europe next season and can now concentrate fully on remaining in the the English top flight. Marcelle started but was replaced in the 55th minute. Barnsley was simply out played by the North England club. On the other side Shaka Hislop played his usual role of back up to Newcastle's number one goalkeeper.

Dwight Yorke and Aston Villa continue to make progress up the English Premier League table. They completed a 1-0 win over Chelsea. Yorke working up front with Joachim ran at the heart of the Chelsea defense often confusing them with there pace. Joachim scored Villa's goal in the 51st minute. The win moves Villa into 13th position and out of relegation danger.
 

There are strong rumors concerning the future of Russell Latapy at Boavista. According to his local business manager, Russell has been in contact with two clubs concerning a possible move to the English top flight. The first club interested in him is Leeds United. A few weeks back Russell was in England regarding a move to Leeds United. Leeds is currently in seventh position in the English Premier division and are currently battling for a European position.  Also in the running for Latapy's services is Aston Villa who have shown interest in Latapy as early as last season. They were willing to pay £6,000,000 in transfer fees for the midfielder. A move to Aston Villa will be a Trini dream come through as he will work with his friend and compatriot Dwight Yorke. There partnership dates back since 1989 when they played together on the "Strike Squad." Should Latapy move on to England he will become the fourth Trinidad and Tobago player in the league. The transfer deadline is March 26th.
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High on the agenda will the outlining of a plan that would see him come to the USA twice a month to hold two to three day encampments with Trinidad and Tobago players based in the United States. Citing that the TTFA spent thousands of dollars to send a group of locals to Brazil during the last World Cup qualifiers  to upgrade there skills with only two of them being picked to start, he believes that  the camps will be of more value to the players in the United States.

Speaking about the Mexico game, St. Clair chalked the lost up to inexperience. He said that it was a question of a inexperienced under 23 squad going up against a experienced thirty something squad of Mexico. He said that Mexico used there experience to beat T&T and that was the key. He also said that defensive blunders hurt Trinidad and Tobago. One remedy he says is the incorporation into the squad of more experienced players. With Ansil Elcock and Marvin Andrews currently playing professionally, he believes that they will gain the experience necessary to play with those in Concacaf. Two defenders he likes are Dwyane Demmin and Avery John. He believes that those two have the skills to become strong national defenders.

Speaking about newspaper reports stating that he dropped Arnold Dwarika and Terry St. Louis from the national team because of there hairstyles, he says that is totally untrue. He said that he dropped them because of their poor attitude. He said that he must maintain discipline in his squad. He recalled that just before the Jamaica game in T&T, a certain player was used to starting. However, when that player did not start the game, the player refused to show up for training. St. Clair promptly dropped him from the squad. He also said that some overseas players were not prepared to work hard and he has no use for them. He continued by saying that on his squad everyone is treated equally regardless to the amount of money they make.

In the last two weeks St. Clair has lost, Clayton Ince, Marvin Andrews, Ansil Elcock, Stern John and Gary Glasgow to international teams. Speaking about that he says there is both negative and positive aspects to loosing them on the practice squad. While they would no longer be able to practice with the squad they would gain the experience to compete with the tougher teams in Concacaf. Also, he can use the overseas players as an incentive to locally based players.

Speaking about the T&T team in general he says with the talent the team has and with hard work, T&T will be able to challenge any team in Concacaf. He said that Trinidad and Tobago is currently one year away from that goal. After Monday's meeting he will know if the TTFA will give him the mandate for the next four years. St. Clair's contract ends in May. During that time he will prepare teams for the CFU under 23 tournament as well as the under 20 tournament. He will then fuse both teams together into a new young team. Should the TTFA not extend his contract St. Clair says that he has his bread buttered already.

 

Next update Monday.

Stern John's signing with the Columbus Crew was never in question. Even though PSV Edinhoven was interested in him, John's dream of playing on the USA was realized when he signed on the dotted line late last week. John scored Columbus' only goals in pre season action last month. The Crew was looking for someone to partner U.S national striker Brian  McBride up front. John fit that position perfectly.

With Nahkid and John joining there clubs they become the fourth and fifth Trinidad and Tobago players in the MLS. With the exception of US players, of the current crop of Concacaf players playing in the MLS, T&T players make up 31 percent.

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Next update: Thursday

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