CONCACAF has announced that its council has approved a new competition format for the region’s men’s and women’s youth tournaments starting in April 2023.
The new competition format, created following an extensive analysis of the current format, includes three rounds – qualifying stage, group stage, and knockout stage – and will improve development by increasing the number of matches in the qualifying rounds, as well as producing more competitive and exciting matchups in the Championship stage.
The new format increases the total number of matches for CONCACAF Men’s and Women’s youth teams by at least 20%.
Teams that advance from the qualifying stage are now guaranteed multiple matches against the region’s top ranked nations
“This new CONCACAF youth competitions format reflects our football first philosophy and our commitment to delivering more competition for all of our Member Associations,” said CONCACAF General Secretary, Philippe Moggio.
“We know that the best way for players to develop is to play and compete in official matches and tournaments. This format will provide more opportunities for all of our federations and their young players to shine on the regional and global stage,” added Moggio.
Men’s Under-17 and Under-20 competitions will commence with a six group Qualifying Stage played amongst teams ranked between 7 and 41, according to the relevant Concacaf Rankings. The number of teams per group may vary depending on the number of participating teams.
The Qualifying Stage will be played in a round robin format, with each team playing one match against each of the other teams in the same group. After round robin play, the six group winners will advance to a centralized Group Stage.
The Group Stage will be composed of three groups of four teams each (12 teams in total). This will include the six top-ranked teams (pre-seeded into this round) and the six group winners of the Qualifying stage. After round robin play, the top two teams of each group and the two best third places will advance to the Quarterfinals (eight teams).
The knockout stage – quarterfinals, semi-finals, and final - will be played in a single match direct elimination format, with the semi-finalists (four teams) qualifying for the respective youth FIFA World Cup.
Furthermore, for every other edition of the Men’s U-20 tournament, the finalists (two teams) will qualify for the Summer Olympics Men’s Football Tournament.
Women’s Under-17 and Under-20 competition will commence with a six group Qualifying Stage played amongst teams ranked between 3 and 41, according to the respective Concacaf Rankings. The number of teams per group may vary depending on the number of participating teams.
The Qualifying Stage will also be played in a round robin format and the six group winners will advance to a centralized Group Stage.
The Group Stage will be composed of two groups of four teams each (eight teams in total).
This will include the two top-ranked teams (pre-seeded into this round) and the six group winners of the Qualifying stage. After round robin play, the top two teams of each group will advance to the semi-finals (four teams).
The knockout stage – semi-finals, third place match, and final - will be played in a single match direct elimination format, with the finalists (two teams) and the third place match winner (one team) qualifying for the respective youth FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 2023 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship will be the first competition to feature this new format.
Alick Athanaze and Akeem Jordan are the only two newcomers in a 15-member squad named on Tuesday by the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel for the upcoming two-Test Series against South Africa.
Athanaze, the left-handed batter, is the captain of Windward Islands Volcanoes while Jordan, the right-arm seam bowler, plays for Barbados Pride.
Both have demonstrated good form in the first two rounds of the current four-day West Indies Championship.
Athanaze had scores of 41 and 51 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in Round 1 and followed up with a career-best 141 against Guyana Harpy Eagles in Round 2. He is a product of the West Indies Under 19s Rising Stars where he was one of the stand-out players at the 2018 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup.
Jordan had match figures of 5-86 against Guyana and followed up with 7-113 against Jamaica Scorpions to be one of the leading wicket-takers in the West Indies Championship after two rounds of matches.
Athanaze and Jordan replace left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and batter Nkrumah Bonner who are part of the squad for the just-concluded series in Zimbabwe.
Jayden Seales is unavailable for selection following a knee injury and subsequent surgery, while Anderson Philiip has returned to training but is not yet match-fit.
Lead Selector, The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “Athanaze is one of the young players who we have invested in, and he played well in the ‘A Team’ and CWI President’s XI. He showed great promise in the CG United Super50 last year and then got his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he should be given an opportunity at this level. He has also showed leadership, as captain of the Windwards at the start of this season.”
Haynes added: “Jordan has been very impressive from last year, he has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year. He is very skilful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket. This will be a challenging tour. There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africa have a good team, but I am sure we will be up for the task and will do well in these two Test matches.”
The upcoming Series is the final Test fixture for both teams in the ICC World Test Championship. West Indies are currently in sixth place and have the opportunity, with a Series win to move above South Africa, currently in fourth place, in the final table.
West Indies are due to arrive in South Africa on 17 February. They will face South Africa in two Test matches at SuperSport Park in Centurion (28 February to 4 March) and the Wanderers in Johannesburg (8 to 12 March). Following the Tests, West Indies will then play a white ball series. The squads for these will named at a later date.
FULL SQUAD
Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain)
Alick Athanaze
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Roston Chase
Joshua Da Silva
Shannon Gabriel
Jason Holder
Akeem Jordan
Alzarri Joseph
Kyle Mayers
Gudakesh Motie
Raymon Reifer
Kemar Roach
Devon Thomas
Austin FC have tied Sebastian Driussi down to a long-term contract ahead of the 2023 Major League Soccer season.
Driussi joined Austin from Zenit in 2021 and has scored 30 goals and set up a further 12 in 54 MLS appearances.
He finished second behind Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar in the MLS MVP, having netted 25 goals last season.
Leeds United were among the teams linked with Driussi in January, but Austin have secured their talisman's future ahead of the start of the new campaign, which they start against St Louis SC on February 25.
"I'm delighted to sign a new contract with Austin FC," Driussi said.
"This club and community have made Austin feel like home for my family and me. I have big ambitions here both personally and for the team, and I'm excited to work with my team-mates, [coach] Josh [Wolff] and the staff to achieve them."
On the back of Driussi's outstanding form, Austin reached the Western Conference Final in the MLS Cup playoffs last season, but lost 3-0 to eventual champions Los Angeles FC.
They finished second in the West in their second season in MLS.
Gudakesh Motie ended with match figures of 13-99, the best ever for a West Indies spinner in Tests, as the West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and four runs on day three of the second Test at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo to complete a 1-0 series win.
Day three started with the West Indies 290-8 off 90.4 overs with Motie (11) and Holder (3) the not out batsmen.
The pair were able to add only two runs as the tourists were bowled out for 292 in 92.3 overs, leaving Zimbabwe needing 177 runs to make the West Indians have to bat again.
Victor Nyauchi took a career-best 5-56 off 17.3 overs while Brandon Mavuta took 3-73 from 24 overs for Zimbabwe.
In their second innings, only captain Craig Ervine and opener Innocent Kaia were able to provide any resistance as Motie ripped through the Zimbabwean batting line-up, just as he did in the first innings.
Ervine made 72 off 105 balls including four fours while Kaia had earlier made a 57-ball 43 including seven boundaries.
Motie, who was later named man of the match and man of the series, bowled 17.3 overs for his 6-62. He picked up 19 wickets in the series.
The regional side will now turn their attention to two Tests against South Africa from February 28-March 4 and March 8-12.
Scores: Zimbabwe 115 off 40.5 overs (Innocent Kaia 38, Gudakesh Motie 7-37, Jason Holder 2-18) and 173 off 47.3 overs (Craig Ervine 72, Innocent Kaia 43, Gudakesh Motie 6-62)
West Indies 292 off 92.3 overs (Roston Chase 70, Raymon Reifer 53, Joshua Da Silva 44, Victor Nyauchi 5-56, Brandon Mavuta 3-73)
Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago were beaten by Canada and the USA, respectively, at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship at Estadio Pensativo in Guatemala on Monday.
The early game saw one-time runners up Canada secure a comfortable 2-0 win over the Bajans.
Liam Mackenzie opener the scoring for the Canadians in the 21st minute before Alessandro Biello doubled their lead seven minutes later.
Later at the same venue, Trinidad & Tobago were beaten 1-3 three-time champions, the United States.
The game was effectively over before the 30 minute-mark as Micah Burton in the 11th minute, Paulo Rudisill in the 14th minute and Taha Habroune in the 24th minute gave the Americans a 3-0 lead heading into the half-time interval.
The Trinidadians got a consolation goal through Derrel Garcia in the 78th minute.
All four teams will be back in action on Wednesday as Trinidad & Tobago will face Barbados before the Americans and the Canadians do battle.
SOLIAS Conaree FC started off their 2023 SKNFA Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over St. Peters FC at the Verchilds playing field on Saturday evening.
Byron Phillip opened the scoring in the 36th minute with Anthony Grant applying the second in the 87th minute to seal the victory. Coach Al Richards said after he was pleased with the win despite his team not performing to its best.
“Congrats to my team for winning a 2-nil victory,” he said.
“My thoughts on the game are simple; the first game of the season, we didn't really get it right, but we got the victory."
Meanwhile, Coach Austin Dico Huggins of St. Peters said his team failed to take the chances they created.
“I think we need to be more lethal in the attacking third of the field and we need to concentrate more on the job, especially on the game plan that is laid out," Huggins said.
"That's all we need to work on and get more involved mentally; because it is important that we remember everything that we need to do, in which area of the field that we need to do it and we need to play harder, more intense; a lot more running off the ball, so therefore we need to get fitter."
In the second match of the day, defending champions S.L. Horfords St. Paul’s United were held to a 0-0 draw by home side MFCR Old Road United Jets.
Both teams created few chances but failed to make them count.
In the matches played on Friday (Feb. 10), S-Krave Newtown United and Hobson Enterprises Garden Hotspurs both recorded their first wins of the new season.
Newtown brushed aside Hotsprings Bath United 5-1 with goals coming from Sylvester Caines in the 13th minute and D'Jaun Warner in the 35th minute.
Leranje Liburd added a third 56th minute and Kennedy Rodriguez made it 4-0 from the penalty spot in the 59th. Akimba Lawrence scored the fifth in the 87th minute before Phillron Lavia got a consolation from the spot 90th minute.
Anthony “Nets” Isaac, who has returned as the coach for Newtown and he was happy with Friday’s result.
On the other hand, Coach of Bath Alex Claxon, said the players are finding their groove, seeing this was the first match, but promised some adjustments for the next match.
Meanwhile, Spurs edged newly promoted Jones Group Sandy Point FC 2-1.
Steve Archibald opened the scoring in the 19th minute with Valmon Jeffers adding a second from the penalty spot in the 60th minute.
Shaquan Pemberton scored a consolation in stoppage time.
Spurs Head Coach Steven Brown said the win was a good one, considering the challenges they endured with match conditions. “We executed well enough. There were some challenges that we faced coming out here; the size of the field was a bit smaller so we couldn’t execute our game plan to the fullest, but nonetheless, the guys adjusted enough,” he said.
“We were able to capitalize on our chances and scored a few goals. We got the three points, which is what we came here for.”
The upcoming Premier League fixtures this weekend will be played in Cayon, Newtown and Warner Park.
Costa Rica edged Guadeloupe 2-1 and El Salvador beat Haiti 3-1 in CONCACAF U17 Championships in Guatemala on Sunday.
The Ticos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of Sean Albriton in the fifth minute and Andry Naranjo in the 14th but Les Gwada Boys made things interesting with a Yanis Bienville goal in the 53rd cut the gap to 2-1.
In the end, though, the Costa Rican defense got the job done to earn the win.
Meanwhile, in Group H, the Estadio Pensativo in Antigua was the site for the games in Group H where El Salvador overcame an early deficit to down Haiti 3-1.
Kaief Tomlison gave Haiti an early 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but El Salvador stormed back thanks to a Christopher Argueta brace (39’, 63’) before Elder Figueroa tacked on a late insurance goal in the 86.
Shirley Clarke has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Windward Islands Volcanoes franchise with immediate effect. Clarke will be replaced on an interim basis by South African Russel Sising.
Chairman of the Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) Dr Kishore Shallow confirmed Clarke’s dismissal to Sportsmax.TV on Monday citing the team’s lack of performance.
“I can confirm that we have separated from Mr Clarke. The board thought that we were not necessarily on the same wavelength,” Dr Shallow said.
The decision was not a knee-jerk reaction but stemmed concerns the board had since last year during the Regional Super 50 tournament in which the Windward Island Volcanoes won only two matches, both against the Combined College and Campuses team.
Dr Shallow said a comprehensive review was done after the tournament and consequently met with Clarke on several occasions to discuss their concerns.
So far in the West Indies Championship, the Volcanoes have not won any of their two games despite playing well but simply, not well enough.
Dr Shallow, who is also the Cricket West Indies vice president, pointed out that the Volcanoes has not won any of their last seven first-class matches, hence the decision was made to move in another direction.
“Given the investments that were made, we were not getting the results,” he said.
Dr Shallow, who described Clarke as a good individual, said the parting was amicable and that he wished Clarke the best going forward.
All-rounder Roston Chase scored his 11th half-century in Tests as the West Indies ended day two of the second test against Zimbabwe with a 175-run first innings lead in Bulawayo.
Only 49.4 overs were possible on day two as rain halted proceedings on multiple occasions.
The tourists began the day 133-4 off 41 overs with Kyle Mayers on eight and Chase on five.
The pair brought the score to 184 in the 54th over before Mayers was dismissed by Brandon Mavuta for 30, bringing Joshua Da Silva to the middle to join Chase.
Chase and Da Silva brought the West Indies total past 200 in the 61st over, with Chase bringing up his fifty off 83 balls in the process. This was Chase’s first Test fifty since a 51 against England in Manchester in July 2020.
At lunch, the West Indies were 236-5 after 71 overs with Chase on 56 and Da Silva on 25.
Soon after the Windies 250 was brought up in the 78th over, Chase fell to pacer Victor Nyauchi for a 132-ball 70 to leave the tourists 269-6 after 84.5 overs.
Just one run later, Da Silva also fell to Nyauchi. He faced 111 balls for his 44.
It was 270-7 when Alzarri Joseph joined Jason Holder at the crease and, two balls later, it was 274-8 as Joseph, after striking a boundary off his first ball, became Nyauchi’s third victim of the day, going for four.
At stumps, the West Indies were 290-8 off 90.4 overs with Jason Holder on three and Gudakesh Motie on 11.
Scores: Zimbabwe 115 off 40.5 overs (Innocent Kaia 38, Gudakesh Motie 7-37, Jason Holder 2-18)
West Indies 290-8 off 90.4 overs (Roston Chase 70, Raymon Reifer 53, Joshua Da Silva 44, Victor Nyauchi 3-56, Brandon Mavuta 3-73)
West Indies Captain Hayley Matthews and former West Indies All-rounder Deandra Dottin were the only two West Indian players sold at the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) player auction at the JIO Convention Centre in Mumbai on Monday.
The WPL is the Women’s version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will run between March 4 and March 26.
The first edition will feature five teams: Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz.
Matthews, currently representing the regional side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa where she made 44 in their opener against England, was sold to the Mumbai Indians for US$49,000.
Dottin, who retired from international cricket in 2022 after representing the West Indies 143 ODIs and 127 T20Is since her international debut in 2008, went to the Gujarat Giants for US$73,000.
Opener Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive Indian player, going to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for US$415,000.
England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Australia’s Ash Gardner both went for US$390,000 to the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants, respectively, to share the tag of most expensive overseas player.
Leg-spinner Afy Fletcher and pacer Shamilia Connell were the West Indians among the list of unsold players.J
Jamaica opened their campaign in the CONCACAF U17 tournament with an emphatic 4-2 victory over Cuba at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores Stadium in Guatemala City on Sunday.
Playing 4-4-2, Jamaica opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Jahmani Bell buried a volley from inside the box.
The score remained 1-0 until half time.
Orane Watson doubled Jamaica’s lead in the 56th minute before Ashton Gordon put the side up 3-0 in the 70th minute.
Watson put the match beyond the Cubans in the 75th minute to give the Jamaicans a 4-0 lead.
Cuba were never without a fight, however, and got a consolation in the 78th through Didier Reinoso who scored a second in the 89th.
The win means Jamaica temporarily go top of Group G that also has Costa Rica and Guadeloupe.
Costa Rica will take on Guadeloupe later Sunday.
The West Indies hold a slight advantage against Zimbabwe at stumps on Sunday’s first day of the second Test at Bulawayo.
Titans International stars Briana Williams and Ackeem Blake opened their accounts in impressive style over 60m at the Camperdown Classic at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday night.
Williams, the Tokyo Olympics 4x100m gold medallist, clocked a fast 7.22 to win the dash ahead of Legacy Athletics’ Jura Levy, who ran 7.34.
Rohanna Wright of Swept Track Club ran 7.71 for third.
Blake was just as impressive, winning his short dash in 6.63 running into a negative wind, just holding off his more accomplished club-mate Yohan Blake, who clocked 6.64.
Emmanuel Archibald finished third in 6.70.
Williams, who has been training with the group since September, was chuffed about the performance.
“It felt very quick. I am just happy to be here to start the season,” she said, adding that her training has been going well, working on things that will make her better for the coming season.
“We have been working on endurance and the last part of races and this is just the start getting to the 100 and 200.”
The work, she said, is helping her get to her goals of running consistent 10.7s and 10.8s for the season ahead.
After just five months training in Jamaica, Williams said she feels at home and appreciates the support from the fans and her teammates at Titans.
“I am enjoying my coaches, my teammates and I am enjoying training,” said Williams, who races next in another 60m dash at the Gibson Relays o February 25.
“My teammates push me every day and they encourage me and I am so happy to have them.”
Like Williams, young Blake was pleased with pleased with the outcome.
“My training has been going good so far because I am healthy and I am ready," Blake said. "I have been putting in work and so I was expected to go out there, deliver, and that is what I did tonight.”
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