Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-17 girls’ head coach, Ayanna Russell, expressed cautious optimism about her team’s chances as they prepare to kick off the first round of the Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Qualifiers against the US Virgin Islands on Monday.
Russell’s optimism stems from the difficulty she had in selecting her final 21-player squad due to the competitiveness of players who vied for respective positions. In the end, four overseas-based players—English-based Aniya Thompson and Zaira Aimey, as well as Florida-based Mia Lee Chong and Sanni Wilson—to her line-up.
“We’re solid in all the lines. It was very competitive and difficult to select, but the girls who are on the team want to represent their country and know they are representing something bigger than themselves. They’re a very competitive squad, and I urge everyone to come out and see them,” Russell said.
Trinidad and Tobago will compete in Group B alongside the US Virgin Islands, Honduras, and Belize. After round-robin play from January 27 to February 1, the six group winners and two best second-place teams will advance to the final round.
The final stage, featuring 12 teams, will be held from March 31 to April 6, with three group winners and the best second-place finisher set to progress to the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco later this year.
Russell emphasized that while qualification is a goal, the development of her players and the team’s overall performance are equally important.
“We want to qualify, but I wouldn’t even say that would be the success of it. I’m already seeing success,” she said.
“The opportunities that they can get from playing on a national team and moving forward. Everyone is just excited to move forward, but we also have KPIs (key performance indicators) that we are looking at. Obviously we want to go forward; everybody is on board with it. It’s just about the overall performance of the team and meeting the objectives,” Russell added.
Meanwhile, Thompson, making her debut in the Trinidad and Tobago setup, believes her physicality and versatility will bolster the team.
“I think my strength’s my biggest thing. I play center back usually, but I’ve been playing in midfield, and I’m really enjoying that,” Thompson shared.
For Lee Chong, who has prior experience with the Under-14 and Under-15 teams, the aim is to embrace the challenge of a higher age group.
“I’m grateful for this experience. I’m excited for this opportunity to compete against more countries and older players and to be guided by those with more experience. I love it here,” she declared.
Squad: Zaira Aimey (Welling Utd FC/England), Zofia Richards (Crown Trace), Kenisha Taylor (TT High Performance), Kaitlyn Darwent (QPCC), Hackeemar Goodridge (Trendsetter Hawks), Daniella Paul (Trendsetter Hawks), Kanika Rodriguez (San Augustin FC), Mikaela Yearwood (Cardinal FC), Jessica Nesbitt (Eastern County), Aniya Thompson (Epsom & Ewell/England), Cherina Steele (QPCC), Ty’Kaiya Dennis (Jewels), Sanni Wilson (Florida Utd/USA), Rori Gittens (Pro Series), Zyesha Potts (Jewels), Mia Lee Chong (Orlando City Academy/USA), Madison Campbell (Jewels), Jayda Herbert (Trendsetter Hawks), Rasheda Archer (Club Sando/AC PoS), Nikita Gosine (Club Sando/Cox), Orielle Martin (QPCC)