Trinidad & Tobago’s star-footballer, Kevin Molino has returned to national team training under new head coach Terry Fenwick ahead of the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
In the off-season, Molino switched clubs by joining the recently crowned MLS champions Columbus Crew on a multi-year contract from Minnesota United ahead of the upcoming 2021 in a few weeks. The 30-year-old Molino who spent four years with Minnesota had a productive last season for them scoring nine goals, four assists in 18 matches including four goals in the MLS Playoffs.
The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) was denied approval to host the match despite several proposals and discussions with the Ministry of Health, Sports Company of Trinidad & Tobago and other agencies. The decision has left the TTFA with no other choice but to face the Guyana Jaguars on a foreign ground.
The Soca Warriors will now contest Guyana in their 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Pan American Stadium, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic on March 25th, 2021. They will then play away to Puerto Rico (28th March), away to the Bahamas (5th June) then home to St Kitts and Nevis (8th June).
Molino said in a TTFA interview, “I have agreed to join with the guys and the new staff. Yes, it a positive vibe and we are looking forward to the game progress-by-progress, we are working hard to get where we want to be. It takes an entire country for us to go out there and perform not just the 11 players on the field but each and everyone in the country to support us to go out there and get the results.”
The attacking-midfielder added, “To be back in my national colors has always been and continues to be my dream and I’m just happy to be here and partake with the new guys that joined the team and I’m looking forward for the game that is coming up.”
Commenting on the loss against USA back in January, he said, “As a footballer, you need short memory after that game, we lost but we learnt something. We are looking forward to our upcoming games and we are going to try our best to get the results that are required of us.”
Molino continues to be an activist for social change utilizing social media and matches with international viewership. He said, “We as sportsmen have the platform to support the women fully; they are very important in our lives. We have to continue to protect the women as best as possible. Sport is important, Sport unifies and bring people together.”
Molino was added to the list of the twin-island republic to represent Columbus Crew joining his country’s leading goal-scorer Stern John who played for them between 1998 to 1999, scoring 44 goals in 55 matches. Other T&T players to represent the club were Cornell Glen, Chris Birchall, Julius James, Kevan George and Andrei Pacheco.
He added, “Again, I’m excited and just want to go out there and have a great season. I’m excited and looking forward to it. I represent a lot of Trinidadians who play there, especially Stern John. I’m just excited to go there and partake with the team and looking forward to a good season and win trophies.”
