'Grateful' Asha returns to national setup for Concacaf qualifier

Playmaker Asha James has returned to the Trinidad and Tobago women's football setup for their crucial Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on April 17. 

The 26-year-old James has been included in a 23-member squad selected by head coach Damian Briggs and is in line to play her first match for the national team since their opening qualifier away to Barbados on December 1, 2025. Over the past year or so, James has been quite vocal about issues concerning the national team, even calling out the TT Football Association (TTFA) for its perceived lack of preparedness ahead of these qualifiers. 

James stepped away from the team before their qualifier away to Honduras last month, but the Tobago-born player is back and ready to make an impact for the must-win clash with El Salvador. 

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be back with the national team for our final group match against El Salvador," James said. 

TT women's team midfielder Asha James. Photo courtesy James' Facebook page 

"We understand what's on the line, and there's a strong belief within the squad that we can get the job done and finish top of the group to move on in the World Cup qualifiers," the talented midfielder said. "It won't be easy, but we're ready for the battle." 

James aside, Briggs has drafted in four other players for next week's match, as Summer Arjoon, Nia Hislop, Sonia Lamarre, and California State University defender Sakiah Williams have also been included in the squad. Arjoon is a tidy, ball-playing central midfielder. Hislop is a forward at the University of Massachusetts and the daughter of legendary TT goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, while the 19-year-old Lamarre impressed for TT's under-20 unit at the Jewels of the Caribbean tournament in December. 

While Briggs will be happy to have the services of James once again, France-based left back Kedie Johnson will be a big miss to the squad. The impressive flanker has been ruled out after failing to recover from a concussion she suffered while playing with AS Saint-Etienne. Saudi Arabia-based midfielder Maria-Frances Serrant remains a high-profile absentee. Among the team's regulars are veteran forward Kennya Cordner, Liana Hinds, Aaliyah Prince, Victoria Swift, and teenage star Nikita Gosine, who rescued a 2-2 draw for TT against Honduras with a late penalty. 

TT women's football team coach Damian Briggs (C) speaks to the media at the launch of his team's Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador. The launch was held at SIP on the Ave, Ariapita Avenue, on April 2. Photo courtesy TTFA

The task for Briggs' team is a straightforward one, as they must defeat group F leaders El Salvador (six points) in order to advance to the Concacaf W Championship, the final qualifying tourney for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup. TT are second in the four-team group on four points. El Salvador blanked Honduras 3-0 in their first match, before hammering Barbados 13-0 last month. Meanwhile, TT opened their campaign with a 5-0 victory over the Bajans, before earning a comeback draw against Honduras to stay alive in the qualifiers. 

As he takes his team into a camp this weekend, Briggs cuts a confident figure. 

"We've selected what we believe is the best possible squad at this time," Briggs told TTFA Media. "There are a few additions who will bring added depth, along with some experienced players returning to the group." 

The match will kick off at 6 pm on April 17, with gates open from 5 pm. Uncovered tickets are priced at $60 (single) and $100 (two-on-one special), with covered tickets priced at $120. 

TT women's team for Concacaf W Qualifier with El Salvador: 

Goalkeepers: Malaika Dedier, Simone Eligon, Akyla Walcott. 

Defenders: Kaitlyn Darwent, Javanah Moreno, Emma Schneider, Myla Schneider, Cicely Spencer Wickham, Victoria Swift, Christa Waterman, Sakiah Williams. 

Midfielders: Summer Arjoon, Ariana Borneo, Elise Franco, Nikita Gosine, Liana Hinds, Asha James, Sonia Lamarre.  

Forwards: Alexcia Ali, Kennya Cordner, Nia Hislop, Aaliyah Prince, Gabrielle Williams. 

TT women's football team squad for the Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador on April 17. Photo courtesy TTFA

Rio Cardines signs contract extension with Crystal Palace

Trinidad and Tobago men's team full-back Rio Cardines has signed a contract extension with English Premier League club Crystal Palace. The extension was confirmed earlier today by Palace, with the 19-year-old Cardines now having a deal which runs until June 2028. 

The Stevenage-born Cardines has been a regular in the red, white, and black since featuring for coach Shawn Cooper's national under-17 team in 2023. He then went on to represent TT at the under-20 level before making his senior team debut in the Unity Cup in May 2025 under former coach Dwight Yorke. 

Trinidad and Tobago defender Rio Cardines proudly holds his Crystal Palace jersey aloft. Photo courtesy Crystal Palace

The feisty Palace right back played all three matches at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, and played the first four matches for TT in the final round of qualifying towards the 2026 Fifa World Cup. More recently, Cardines turned out for TT at the Fifa Series in Uzbekistan last month, as interim coach Derek King's team lost to both Venezuela and Gabon. In the latter match against Gabon, Cardines played a hand in the two goals scored by captain Levi Garcia with a pair of delightful set pieces. Both Cardines and Garcia, however, missed from the spot as Gabon won 3-2 via a penalty shootout after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time. 

Rio Cardines lines up a set piece against Gabon in their Fifa Series encounter on March 30. Photo courtesy TTFA

Having joined Palace at 16 in 2022, Cardines signed his professional contract with the London-based club in 2024. He made 20 appearances for Palace's under-21 team in the 2024/25 season, with his long-awaited first-team debut coming in October 2025 in a UEFA Conference League clash away to Dynamo Kyiv. Cardines is yet to feature in the Premier League for Palace, but did make a substitute appearance against league holders Liverpool in an EFL Cup match back in October. 

Cardines is delighted to extend his contract with Palace as he hunts for more playing time with the first team. 

"I'm proud and excited to extend my contract here. I'm looking forward to the future and hopefully getting more first-team minutes and continuing to kick on," Cardines said. 

Meanwhile, the club's academy director, Gary Issott, said Cardines has gone from strength to strength and he expects him to continue making strides beyond the current campaign.