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• TTFA to intensify search for new Soca Warriors Head coach

  President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Kieron Edwards, is optimistic that they will attract some high-quality candidates for the senior Soca Warriors head coach post, with hopes of securing qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

  Edwards, who along with his administration were heavily criticised for cutting former head coach Angus Eve without a suitable replacement, shared his optimism as he revealed that invitations to select the new coach will go out this week.

  The Soca Warriors, currently being led by Derek King on an interim basis, closed the recent Concacaf Nations League window with a 0-4 loss to Honduras and a goalless stalemate with French Guiana, which left them at the foot of Group B in League A and facing relegation to League B. They now face a must-win scenario in their next two fixtures in October to survive.

  However, Trinidad and Tobago remain alive in the World Cup qualifiers, which resume next year, as they sit second in Group B on four points, two points behind Costa Rica.

  Edwards said the process of selecting the new coach has been delayed a bit, but they remain firm that the suitable candidate must meet the requirements outlined to secure the necessary results and, by extension, World Cup qualification.

  “We recognise the importance of having a clear pathway for qualification, which requires the full support of the government, private sector, and citizens,” TTFA said in a recent release.

  When asked if the decision to send out the invitation was due to the Soca Warriors loss to Honduras, Edwards said that result was expected. 

  “I know we hardly have time, but we cannot rush the process. We know that the toughest game in the group would have been against Honduras, and what they told me is that they would have planned for that result,” Edwards explained.

  Still, Edwards is hoping to receive applications from quality coaches to change things. It is reported that former Soca Warriors striker turn coach Dwight Yorke and former United States coach Gregg Berhalter were interested in the job.

• JFF awards 14 Domestic Licenses, including 11 Regional Licenses for 2024/25 Jamaica Premier League season

  The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has announced that on August 31, its First Instance Body, awarded regional licenses to 11 clubs participating in this season’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL): Arnett Gardens FC, Cavalier SC, Dunbeholden FC, Harbour View FC, Montego Bay United FC, Mount Pleasant FA, Portmore United FC, Racing United FC, Tivoli Gardens FC, Vere United FC and Waterhouse FC participating in this season’s Jamaica Premier League (JPL).

  The remaining 3 clubs - Chapelton Maroons FC, Humble Lion FC and Molynes United FC - received domestic licenses, meaning they will not be eligible for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup or the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup if they finish in the top three of the JPL standings at the end of the season.

  Each club was required to meet the minimum criteria outlined in the 2018 JFF Club Licensing Regulations. This season’s achievement of awarding 11 regional licenses marks a significant increase from last season, when only four clubs – Arnett Gardens FC, Cavalier SC, Harbour View FC and Mount Pleasant FA - received regional licenses.

  Club licensing, introduced by FIFA, is a key element in promoting the professionalization of football worldwide. This system is based on principles-driven criteria and establishes minimum standards that clubs must meet to obtain a license and participate in competitions.

  The Club Licensing Regulations focus on five key areas: Administration, Sporting, Financial, Infrastructure, and Legal. The goal of these regulations is to standardize and elevate football club management globally.

  Carlene Edwards, Chairwoman of the First Instance Body, expressed gratitude for the commitment displayed by the clubs in meeting the requirements.

  She stated, “The process was challenging initially, as we needed to review and update clubs simultaneously, ensuring they submitted correct and updated documents while adhering to established deadlines in the Club Licensing Regulations Support Manual. Nevertheless, we remained dedicated to the task and successfully delivered all decisions within the stipulated timeframe. We look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with the clubs and anticipate achieving 100 percent compliance in delivering regional licenses next season.”

  In a statement, Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, emphasized the Federation’s commitment to supporting the club licensing process.

  He stated, “I am incredibly proud of our clubs for their dedication and hard work in achieving club licensing. This milestone not only reflects their commitment to excellence but also underscores our promise to elevate football in Jamaica. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the First Instance Body for their tireless efforts in ensuring we meet our commitments to CONCACAF. Their diligence in overseeing the licensing process has been crucial in raising the standards of our football community. JFF remains dedicated to empowering our clubs as they strive to excel on both national and regional stages.”

  The next category of stakeholders to be on boarded in the Club Licensing process will include the Women’s Premier League teams and the JFF Championship teams.

• Atlanta United v Nashville SC: Miranchuk key to reaching playoffs, says Valentino

  Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino has backed Alexey Miranchuk to aid the Five Stripes’ push for the playoffs after his impressive showing against Charlotte FC.

  Miranchuk, signed from Atalanta in July, showcased his individual qualities last time out, playing more passes into the final third (29) than any on the pitch at the Bank of America Stadium.

  Atlanta currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference table, a point behind D.C. United with a game in hand, with Valentino confident the Russian can propel his side into the playoff positions.

  "It was fantastic, it was good to get him integrated into the team as quickly as possible," said Valentino. "He’s going to help us a lot down the stretch.

  “His teammates getting used to him, him getting used to his teammates, he pushes himself to a whole different level.”

  Their success against Charlotte was also their first win in five away games, something goalkeeper Brad Guzan emphasised the importance of for the remaining league fixtures.

  “It was a good result, I’m sure, as Rob probably said, there are times when in the game we had to suffer, we had to defend, we had to do a lot of dirty work tonight and that’s part of going on the road and finding a way to get a result," Guzan said.

  For Nashville, however, their woeful run of results continued, with their 3-0 defeat to Orlando City last time out their eighth consecutive loss in the MLS.

  Their recent form saw BJ Callaghan replace Gary Smith as the Coyotes' new head coach in July, but those losses have resulted in Nashville dropping to the foot of the Eastern Conference table.

  But a 2-0 win against their reserve team, Huntsville City FC, last week, featuring a number of upcoming young talent, handed Callaghan an insight into the future of the club.

  “A lot of times we can get focused on our week-to-week, our Saturday to Saturday. And we know that the most important thing in the first team is those Saturday performances,” Callaghan said.

  “But tonight is the night that you get to step back. And we talked about celebrating the club and showcasing that young talent and understanding that we have a week-to-week responsibility.

  “But the club also has a long-term vision and a long-term responsibility to the city of Nashville and the city of Huntsville, two cities that we’ve invested heavily in.”

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

  Lobjanidze has recorded at least one assist in each of his last three regular season home appearances, including recording two against Columbus Crew in July. 

  Nine of Georgian’s 12 goal contributions this season have also come at home, including all six assists.

  Nashville – Sam Surridge

  With Nashville scoring just three goals in their last eight MLS fixtures, they will need top scorer Surridge fit and firing for their trip to Atlanta. 

  The Englishman has 11 goals from 25 appearances in all competitions this season but faces an opponent he is yet to win or find the net against this weekend.

  MATCH PREDICTION: ATLANTA UNITED WIN

  Atlanta won their first two meetings with Nashville in 2020, but since, the Coyotes have lost only on of their last nine matches with the Five Stripes in all competitions (W4 D4).

  The hosts, however, have only won two of their last 10 regular season home matches (D3 L5) dating back to April. But they have gone four games unbeaten in four consecutive games on home soil since (W2 D2).

  Nashville come into the encounter in a wretched run of form having lost a club record eight matches in a row, failing to score in their last four. The only longer losing streak in MLS since the start of the 2019 season was FC Cincinnati’s league-record 14 straight defeats from September 2021 to March 2022.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Atlanta United – 50.4%

  Draw – 25.1%

  Nashville – 24.5%