He wears the number 11 shirt for the T&T men's Under-20 team and perhaps he's caught your attention in his recent appearances for this country at the Caribbean U-20 Championship.
To many, Levi Garcia looks an extremely bright prospect for the future. The 16 year old Central FC midfielder scored in T&T's 1-1 draw with Guadeloupe at the Dwight Yorke Stadium two weeks ago and scouts from Europe are already keeping their eyes on the player during the current Caribbean Finals.
Garcia has the attributes of a ace attacking midfielder in the making–good vision and composure, strong on the ball and good passer, good use of both feet with a proper shot on goal. At this stage of his game, with the right exposure and development, he will only get better. He's played in two of T&T's Caribbean qualifying matches so far, linking up well with the likes of teammates Kadeem Corbin, Aikim Andrews, Akeem Garcia and Jabari Mitchell.
Garcia comes from a family of three brothers and two sisters and credits his 26 year old brother Daniel for pushing him to success.
"I have to credit Daniel. He's always there for me. If I have to go training or to a game he will get the taxi or rent a car for me to get there. He pushes me all the time to do better," Garcia says.
But it's not just Daniel that keeps Levi going. When asked what inspires him daily to keep playing the game and stay driven, his immediate response was "Jesus first and everything else after."
Levi's favourite players are Brazilian star Neymar and local midfielder Ataulla Guerra and he follows Barcelona.
"I like Barcelona because of how they pass the ball. I like to look at how their players run off the ball, the crosses, their style and their work rate. That's how I like to see football played," he said.
Levi hails from Santa Flora and is a past member of Siparia Spurs, T&TEC and is also a student of Shiva Boys College. He has a goal set before him which is to end up at Barcelona some day.
"It's important for my family that I keep playing the game and make something good of myself. I want to be successful and I want to keep playing. I see myself at Barcelona or another top club out there in five years time," the versatile number 11 said.
"Qualifying for a World Cup is one of my other dreams either at U-20 or the senior level. We came close in 2013 with the U-17s but now it would be great if we can go a step more."
Garcia and the T&T team will play in the Caribbean U-20 Final tomorrow from 7.30 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain before entering the Concacaf Final Round of World Cup qualifiers in Montego Bay in January. They are attempting to qualify for next year's Fifa U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Molino's Orlando stunned in USL playoff
"It's not how you fall, it's how you rise," Kevin Molino said after his Orlando City suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Harrisburg in the USL playoff on Saturday. The defeat ended Orlando's season, one which they dominated up until then.
"It's important that you learn from losses like you learn from your wins. This is a learning process for each individual and for us as a team and club. We'll move on from here into next year and hopefully we'll move on and do good things for the club," Molino said.
"We expected to go a long way with home field advantage in front of these fantastic fans. To not go on to win in the playoffs after all the things we've done, for me individually and for us collectively, is tough."
Molino set new league records in goals scored (20) and total points (49) during the season. He also led the league with nine assists, helping Orlando City stake claim to its third regular season championship.
He will now look ahead to international duty
with T&T at the Caribbean Cup qualifiers in T&T in early October.
Andrews still enjoyingScottish football at 38
He still has the legs and Marvin Andrews is loving every moment of his career at the moment. The 38-year-old former national team defender joined Scottish League Two club Elgin City last month and is determined to help the team climb the League standings.
"I'm coming to the end of my career but I'm still enjoying playing on a Saturday," Andrews told the Northern Scot. "I'm just so happy that Barry has given me the opportunity to be here and show what I'm still capable of at the age of 38.
"It's a very, very nice club with great supporters, and the team plays very attractive football."
Club manager Barry Wilson said he was delighted to have Andrews at his club following a three-game trial as he went on to help City beat East Fife and Clyde in their first two home games of their League 2 season, winning man of the match awards in both 1-0 successes. He also scored in the 2-1 away defeat at East Stirling.
Maturana's hopes for T&T
Former T&T head coach Francisco Maturana believes T&T has the tools to return to the World Cup and in the top flight of Concacaf sides.
Speaking to Concacaf.com at the Fifa/Concacaf/Conmebol Conference for national coaches and technical directors in Panama, Maturana recalled fondly his time with T&T and remains optimistic that it will improve after missing out on a second straight World Cup. "I would be glad to see T&T start doing well in the future," Maturana said. "I got to know the players and they are good guys, but they have to work very hard. You see how good other Concacaf teams are playing, like Mexico, United States and Costa Rica. It is very competitive, so they have to work very hard."
Maturana now sits on the Fifa Football Committee, tasked with inter-institutional relations between the football's governing body, confederations, clubs, leagues and member associations. Maturana urged Concacaf members in attendance to review thoroughly the information presented at the symposium and implement measures to lift their football.
Shaun Fuentes is the Director of Communications for the TTFA. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com