Heart problems in athletes, particularly football players have become an alarming issue in recent years. Last year alone, ten players attached to Football Association clubs including T&T's Akeem Adams were reported to have died from heart related complications. On Friday, T&T lost yet another international, this time Defence Force winger Kevon Carter at the age of 30.
Local officials are currently discussing more intensely preventative measures for local footballers.
Research indicates that Major League Soccer (MLS) already has one of the most extensive medical screening procedures in US professional sports. It requires all players to undergo EKGs and echocardiograms before each season. The results are evaluated by physicians on site then sent to the league office where they are reviewed again.
Two years ago, those exams showed that defender Zachary Herold, Toronto FC's top pick in the 2010 SuperDraft, had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), leaving him at risk of developing a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm. So Herold retired from soccer–at the age of 17.
In addition to the pre- and post-season physicals, the vast majority of the league's 19 teams–the Galaxy and Chivas USA among them–also use wireless heart-rate monitors about the size of a credit card to track players' reactions to in-season training.
Christine Lawless, cardiologist for the MLS, laments the recent tragedies but concedes there is no way to be sure they won't happen again.
"Modern medical science cannot control or be aware of every variable," she wrote in an e-mail. "The heat index, the player's hydration, genetics or preexisting conditions–even the fitness level of the player early in a season–any of these and more could be contributing factors."
Former MLS player Stern John hopes to see improvements in local football to deal with this alarming issue.
"It's definitely a scary thing. I'm thankful as a player I never experienced heart problems but again I was fortunate to be in England where there were proper systems in place. I hope that locally for the sake of our players we can come out with ways to deal with this. It's very important for us going forward as a footballing country.
Question mark onDaniel's place in'Philly' line up
It seems Keon Daniel will not be assured of a place in the Philadelphia Union team for the upcoming American MLS season. At least, that's what reports out of Philadelphia are suggesting.
Daniel has hardly featured for head coach John Hackworth in preseason so far following his 24 appearances last season. And reporters were quick to quiz Hackworth about the player's future.
"There's been a lot of competition for those spots. We think we've upgraded our midfield, and there has been a lot of competition in training for those positions," said Hackworth.
"Right now he's behind those guys that are being featured. It doesn't mean Keon has done anything wrong, it just means that his role on this team has changed from what it was last year."
The writing was then on the wall for Daniel when Hackworth said: "We are going to have to make some really tough decisions in the next two days. Some of those are already made for us because of contractual obligations, and our salary cap affects that equally as much."
Daniel joined the Union from Puerto Rico Islanders in 2011 and has since made 57 appearances for the club.
Everton legend joinsLawrence in club'scoaching staff
Trinidadian Dennis Lawrence has been joined by Everton legend Duncan Ferguson in the club's coaching staff.
Ferguson, a 42-year-old former Everton star spent the past three years honing the skills of the Toffees promising youngsters in the Under-18 setup at Finch Farm alongside fellow club icon Kevin Sheedy.
Ferguson's 67 goals combined with his "hard-man" persona across two spells at Everton made him a cult hero among the Goodison faithful and was tipped as a potential successor to David Moyes prior to Martinez's appointment last June.
Now, the Spaniard has elected to add the former Newcastle and Rangers man to his backroom setup, where he will join assistant manager Graeme Jones, development coach Lawrence and goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara.
Lawrence has been doing good work with the Everton club and his appointment last year speaks volumes for the faith shown in him by Martinez particularly as Everton have a long-standing reputation of enlisting the services of some of their most loyal players as they look to mold the futures of their brightest hopes. In addition to Ferguson and Sheedy, Alan Stubbs oversees the development of players at Under-21 level with fellow ex-defender David Unsworth as his assistant.
Molino thrills fanswith late equaliserin Disney Classic
National midfielder Kevin Molino sent the Orlando City fans into a frenzy with an 86th minute equaliser in their 4-4 draw with New York Red Bulls at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the third-place match of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic Saturday evening.
Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips had two goals while Ibrahim Sekagya and Jonny Steele also scored for the MLS side Red Bulls but Molino continued his fine preseason form when he got in behind the Red Bulls defence to chip their goalkeeper. The Carenage-born midfielder also saw a long range effort slam the cross bar in the 28th minute.
"It was a great match for us and even greater to see how we competed against the MLS teams," Molino said.
"I think it showed that we are going to be in the right league next season when we enter the MLS.
"I was pleased with my performances but I think I can still do more. I want to keep getting better and I'm working towards that."
The former Mucurapo player is expecting his club to add more titles in the upcoming USL season.
"We want to win more titles and I think the boys are working hard and are up for anything that comes our way," he said.
Molino also scored a 51st minute item in a another 4-4 draw with Columbus Crew in the Disney Classic last week.
Shaun Fuentes is the director of communications for the TTFA. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com