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• King, David optimistic Soca Warriors will be at their best against Cuba in must-win Nations League fixtures

  With momentum by no means in their favour, Trinidad and Tobago’s interim Head coach Derek King and captain Aubrey David are optimistic that the Soca Warriors might have saved their best for last as they face a must-win situation against Cuba in their upcoming Concacaf Nations League encounters.

  Rooted at the foot of Group B in League A with a point, the Soca Warriors will have to take Cuba’s scalp in hostile territory on Thursday and again in the Twin Island Republic on Monday to not only improve their chances of progressing to the quarterfinals, but more importantly, avoid relegation to League B.

  Jamaica and Nicaragua are set for a top-of-the-table clash as both head the standings on four points each, with Honduras (three points) and Cuba (two points) in close proximity. French Guiana, also on a point, round out the group.

  After suffering a 0-4 loss away to Honduras in their opening fixture, Trinidad and Tobago were expected to rebound at home against French Guiana. Instead, they were held to a goalless stalemate, and that has left them in their current predicament.

  

  Still, King is hopeful that the addition of experienced midfielders Joevin Jones, Kevin Molino, and others will turn their fortunes and prove rewarding where securing six crucial points is concerned. 

  “The guys are fully aware of the task at hand; we had discussions, and we all know that we need six points. But let us focus on this very important game first. We have to go out there and give it our best shot and get three points to go back home with,” King said in an interview with TTFA Media from the team’s base in Cuba.

  “We had a locally-based team training for two and a half weeks, so we decided that we would go with some of the locally-based players and add some foreign-based players who were not with the team before. I think the guys we added would bring some kind of experience to the unit we have at this point. 

  “They are senior men to the team. They have played overseas as well, professional players. So, I think it's good to add their knowledge with this bunch. They will add some quality to the team as well, so we must go out there and give it our best,” he added.

  Meanwhile, David, who is charged with marshalling the Soca Warriors defensive line, is mindful that Cuba will also fancy their chances of progressing and, as such, are not going to be a walkover.

  “Cuba has a lot of foreign players; they have players who play in Costa Rica, in Guatemala, and the USA as well. Basically, they have a young team, but they’re willing to fight. They’re hungry and want to prove themselves because they’re at home,” David assessed.

  “So it’s just for us to be together and execute our game plan so that we can leave here with three points.

  “We have a lot of young players as well, and some with quality. I think they stepped up in the last Nations League; we saw a lot of them jumping onto the international scene and making a big impact, so it’s just for them to continue on that momentum,” he noted.

• Former USMNT boss Berhalter announced as new Chicago Fire head coach

  Former United States boss Gregg Berhalter has been named as the new director of football and head coach of MLS side Chicago Fire. 

  Berhalter was sacked as the USMNT head coach nine days after a dismal group-stage exit at the Copa America earlier this year.

  The 51-year-old's arrival means Frank Klopas, who is the Fire's current head coach, will step down and transition into a new role as the club's vice president of football.

  Berhalter does have previous experience in the MLS, spending five years in charge of the Columbus Crew between 2013 and 2018.

  Across his 192 games in charge of the Crew, Berhalter won 76 matches (D46 L70), with his team scoring 287 goals and averaging a win percentage of 38.34%. 

  Berhalter then began his first stint as the USMNT head coach in 2018, starting strongly with victories over rivals Mexico in the first-ever Nations League final as well as in the showpiece match of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

  He then guided the USMNT to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup before they were beaten 3-1 by the Netherlands. 

  Berhalter's contract expired in December 2022, but was then brought back six months later with a view to guiding the team through to the 2026 World Cup, which the United States would co-host with Canada and Mexico.

  However, Berhalter lasted just 14 games, winning seven of those (D1 L6) and has since been replaced by former Chelsea head coach, Mauricio Pochettino. 

  The 51-year-old arrives at an underperforming Chicago side, who currently occupy last place in the Eastern Conference with one game of the regular season remaining. 

  The Fire have reached the MLS Cup playoffs just twice in the last 15 years, with this campaign the seventh consecutive season they have failed to feature in the post-season. 

  “I’m honoured to be named Director of Football and Head Coach of the Chicago Fire, and I would like to thank Joe Mansueto for his trust," said Berhalter.

  “Chicago is an incredible city, built on communities of hard-working and passionate people who truly love soccer.

  "I look forward to working alongside our staff and players to transform the Fire into a world-class organisation that all our fans and the city can be proud of and will support.”

  Berhalter will officially start his duties for the 2025 MLS season. 

• Yohan Blake honoured with Keys to the Region as he launches Butcher's Barrel Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

  World-renowned Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, the 2011 World 100m champion and double Olympic silver medalist, was awarded the prestigious Key to the Region on Wednesday, October 8, during the grand opening of his new restaurant, Butcher's Barrel, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite the looming threat of Hurricane Milton barreling toward the state, the event was a celebratory moment for Blake, who was honoured by city officials and members of South Florida’s Caribbean community for his outstanding contributions to both athletics and entrepreneurship.

  The recognition ceremony, led by Tamarac Commissioner Marlon D. Bolton, saw the 34-year-old Blake receive the Keys to the Region, joining an esteemed list of previous honourees, including dancehall artist Spice, TV personality Miss Kitty, and reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley. Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis of Miramar and other local officials from the Caribbean diaspora were present to celebrate Blake’s new venture and his achievements as an athlete.

  In an emotional speech, Blake expressed his deep gratitude, reflecting on his journey as one of the fastest men in history over the 100m and 200m distances.

  "This brings tears to my eyes to recognize this moment. I have worked 20-odd years tirelessly, creating so much history around the world being one of the fastest men in the 100 and 200 plus the 4x100m, it is not an easy feat," Blake said. "To do something like this, just a simple award to recognize what we have been doing—I just want to thank you for this. It means a lot to me, from the bottom of my heart."

  Blake’s illustrious career includes winning gold at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in the 100m, where he became the youngest 100m world champion ever, and earning silver medals in the 100m and 200m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, behind the legendary Usain Bolt. His personal bests of 9.75 seconds in the 100m and 19.44 seconds in the 200m remain the fastest times ever recorded to place second in Olympic history.

  

  (Alexandra Davis Instagram)

  Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis and Jamaican Olympian Yohan Blake at the launch of his Butcher's Barrel restaurant in Ft Lauderdale on Tuesday.

  The Key to the Region initiative, developed in collaboration with Caribbean elected officials, honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the community through excellence in their respective fields. Blake, who has continuously supported charitable initiatives, particularly in Jamaica, now adds the entrepreneurial launch of Butcher’s Barrel to his list of achievements.

  The Butcher’s Barrel restaurant in Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, is Blake’s latest venture, as he looks to expand his brand beyond the track. The launch attracted local leaders, including Lauderhill Commissioner Denise D. Grant, Sunrise Commissioner Mark Douglas, and Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis, who shared her pride in the Jamaican sprinter on social media.

  "At the Butcher’s Barrel in Oakland Park as Yohan Blake opened his restaurant and received the Keys to the Region from local elected Caribbean officials," Davis wrote on Instagram. "Yohan is a Jamaican sprinter who won gold at the 2011 World Championships as the youngest 100m world champion ever, and silver in the 2012 Olympic Games. We wish him well in his new endeavor!"

  As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, Blake's success and recognition offer a bright moment of celebration and hope amid the challenging circumstances. His determination on and off the track continues to inspire many, and the opening of his restaurant marks a new chapter in his multifaceted career.

  Blake’s legacy as a sprinter is solidified, but with the Butcher's Barrel, he is proving that his ambitions go far beyond athletics, bringing his passion and dedication to new ventures in the business world.