Forward Kenwyne Jones against Guatemala. (Photo : Reuters)
Opening day winner Trinidad and Tobago tries to continue their inspired performance against struggling team Cuba in the second round of Gold Cup 2015 Group C games at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona, July 12.
The Soca Warriors carved out an amazing 3-1 victory against Guatemala last Thursday at the Soldier Field in Chicago, as reported at the MLS Soccer website. Sheldon Bateau, Cordell Cato, and Joevin Jones scored a goal each in the first half hour of play to burst out of the gates with a 3-0 lead.
La Azul y Blanco managed to get on the board as team captain Carlos Ruiz found the net in the 61st minute, but it proved too late for Ivan Franco Sopegno's boys.
Meanwhile, Cuba did not stand a chance against tournament favorites Mexico as they were overpowered on the same field later that day, 0-6.
El Tri took advantage of the undermanned Cuban eleven who went ahead with the game without manager Raul Gonzalez Triana and seven of their players as they encountered "logistical problems" back home, according to ESPN.
The remaining sixteen players were coached by assistant Walter Benitez but could not do anything against the unmerciful Mexican attack.
Triana and the seven are expected to join their team in time for the game against Stephen Hart's warriors on Sunday. Even so, Leones del Caribe will still have a hard time against Kenwyne Jones and company as they are performing at a high level in their past few games.
Prediction: An emphatic 3-0 win by the Soca Warriors over the Lions of the Caribbean.
Trinidad and Tobago starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Williams; Abu Bakr, Bateau, Cyrus, J. Jones; David, Hyland, Cato, George; Guerra, K. Jones
Cuba starting lineup (2-4-3-1 formation): D. Guerra; Márquez, Corrales; F. Guerra, Martínez, Napoles, Gomez; Lopez, Clavelo, Dranguet; Coroneaux
