National team defender Aubrey David could be heading back to Costa Rican top flight club Deportivo Saprissa following his loan spell at FC Dallas in American Major League Soccer this past season.
Contract options for David and a few of his teammates were not exercised by Dallas which means the player is likely to move on after his loan deal ends this month.
"The situation as it is right now, is that I could head back to Saprissa because I am still under contract with the club or I could go somewhere else on loan depending on what options they take up. The season at Dallas was quite positive for me. It was good to get a change in settings and to experience a league that is continuing to grow," the 26-year-old David said yesterday.
"But yes, going back to Saprissa is a possibility and of course, I have a good relationship there with the team and the fans so it will not be a step down in anyway because its a big club in Concacaf."
David has been included in a Senior Team training squad under Tom Saintfiet ahead of the two upcoming Friendlies against Nicaragua and he is anticipating to chance to be part of the new coach's plans.
"It is always an honour to get selected for a national team and now also under the new head coach because sometimes you never know what the new boss has in his mind and it means players have to show their value and earn their selection. So for me it's the same goal, which is to give my best under the new coach and get back to working towards that ambition of qualifying for Russia 2018," David said.
David, who made twelve starts and fourteen appearances this season since July for Dallas, previously played for Finnish club FF Jaro and Morvant Caledonia United.
Dallas Women
FC Dallas Women's team has re-signed National Women's Team player Victoria Swift for a second season.
Swift was a key member of the Dallas team this season that went undefeated in Southwest Conference and won the Southwest Conference Title (14-0 record) overall the team went 15-1 losing out to Chicago Red Star in the playoffs in Chicago (Quarterfinal round). Playing center back position, she was a standout and and was named as a 2016 WPSL All-Star.
FC Dallas coach Ben Waldrum said Swift has been a key player for Dallas throughout the past season and will be expected to be influential in their line up in 2017.
"Signing Vicky to our 2017 team was a high priority for FC Dallas. Her growth last season was exceptional and she brings a physical presence, leadership qualities, and a mentality that makes her key to our teams' success," said Waldrum.
"Having Victoria during our time with Trinidad & Tobago Women's National Team plus last season here with me at FC Dallas, has been a plus. She has a very good understanding of the tactical approach and playing philosophy that we implement here at FC Dallas. The expectation for her is to continue to develop, improve, and help lead us in defense of our conference title and compete for a WPSL championship," Waldrum added.
T&T duo Rhea Belgrave and Karyn Forbes were also with Dallas last season but both were troubled by niggling injuries. Belgrave played five games, while Forbes had minor surgery to repair a meniscus cartilage, according to Waldrum.
Hoyte moves
English-born defender Gavin Hoyte has moved to English Conference Premier side Eastleigh. The move was announced yesterday as the players joins "The Spitfires" on an 18-month contract.
The 26-year-old, who had played for the T&T senior team, came through the ranks at Arsenal and made a handful of appearances for the first team. During his time with The Gunners he had loan spells at Watford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon; before signing for Dagenham & Redbridge in 2012.
In 2014 he joined Gillingham, leaving them after one full season to team up with Martin Allen at Barnet.
London-born Hoyte represented England at U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 level. He is approaching 200 first team appearances across all four top divisions in England.
Concacaf focuses
CONCACAF invited Member Associations representatives to participate in a series of workshops designed to share best practices and tools to further develop the game at its XXIII Extraordinary Congress last Saturday at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel.
TTFA President David John-Williams, Vice President Joanne Salazar and General Secretary Justin Latapy-George were in attendance.
The programme included a presentation on the initial steps to implement President Montagliani's ONE CONCACAF Vision for the future of football. Through this vision, the Confederation will provide proper assistance to its Member Associations in order to improve their technical, development and administrative capabilities.
The workshops program featured a question-and-answer session with special guest Steven Mandis, author of the book The Real Madrid Way: How Values Created the Most Successful Sports Team on the Planet.
This exchange provided insights about best practices on sports organization. Additionally, Mandis highlighted how transparency and trust are key to build a stronger brand.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Shaun Fuentes is the Director of Communications for the T&T Football Association.