Had things gone drastically different for T&T’s senior men’s footballers earlier in the final round of the 2026 Concacaf FIFA World Cup qualifying quest, this country would have woken up to a completely opposite feeling to the usual on November 19. Instead, following a 2-2 draw with Bermuda on Tuesday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain, to end another doomed campaign, there is yet again that sense of emptiness.
However, one piece of silver lining was witnessing a grateful crowd of approximately 7,500 patrons endure through a rainy night, and a less-than-ideal final result to acknowledge the swansong of two proud and faithful warriors.
Captain Kevin Molino, 35, featured in his 74th and final international match for Trinidad and Tobago and bowed out alongside veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, 41, who notched his 100th T&T cap.
Some decked in supporters’ t-shirts bearing the names of either player, others armed with tributary placards, fans and supporters showed an outpouring of appreciation for the duo and for this team by extension.
Former T&T goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, who himself played 79 times for T&T, was full of praise for two men with whom he shared the dressing room for many years.
Speaking with Guardian Media Sport outside the players’ entrance, Williams said, “Marvin is remarkable, and I think he could go on for a couple of years if I’m being honest. His level is still really high, but congrats to him on his career.”
Williams added, “Molino is the same; he’s travelled the world, he’s been around the US, and he’s done well there, and now he’s come back and lent his experience to this squad.”
With 27 goals to his name, including two in this World Cup qualifying campaign, Molino lands sixth among T&T’s all-time top goalscorers behind Stern John (70), Angus Eve (36), Russell Latapy (29), and Arnold Dwarika (28). That tally also puts him above names such as Cornell Glenn (24), Kenwyne Jones (23), Nigel Pierre (22), Leonson Lewis (21), and current head coach and former English Premier League golden boot winner Dwight Yorke (19).
The moment of serendipity was not lost on the Carenage-born midfield maestro, who recalled, “The first goal I scored internationally was against Bermuda, and tonight could have been the last. However, the primary focus for me tonight was to assist the team in scoring, provide support, and avoid taking the spotlight.
Pledging to carry on his career at club level, Molino said he’s not yet ready to assess the real impact of his time in red, white, and black.
“For me, the most important thing now is just to enjoy club football. I think when everything is all settled and done, I can look back and say maybe I had a wonderful career, but I have a long way still to go. I want to enjoy (my) club. I want to enjoy helping Trinidad football, club-level football with Defence Force, and continue to do something great for them. That’s my focus now. The focus is just to continue what I’ve been doing and maintain it for as long as possible.”
Molino, who once commanded the largest exchange in Major League Soccer (MLS) history when he was traded from Orlando City SC to Minnesota United FC for US$650,000 in allocation money, intends to extend his club career, but the time to quit the national team was right.
“I’m not happy with the results today, but I am just happy that I really, really enjoyed international football,” he said.
“When you look at the younger players, I think they can take up the mantle, and I don’t want to keep back any of them. It’s their time now, and I just want them to enjoy it. I think we leave the football in such a good state that you see progress, and you see our identity in terms of the coaching staff, which brings a lot to the table. This is my last because I think it’s important that the young group get that experience.”
Handed his senior international debut at age 20 when Latapy was head coach in 2010, Molino was heralded as the heir apparent to the number 10 shirt, with his best years ahead of him. However, the two-time Youth World Cup player’s aspirations to feature on the senior stage seemed to flicker out when he retired from national duty in 2023 after T&T’s dismal showing at that year’s Concacaf Gold Cup under then head coach Angus Eve. A social media outburst against Eve sealed his exile until the arrival of Yorke as head coach in November 2024; however, the perfect ending was not to be.
On Tuesday, Molino reflected philosophically, “I played for Trinidad and Tobago for 15 years. I played even at a tender age, so it’s even longer, but I’m just grateful. I’m just grateful for this day.
He said, “I’m just grateful for the team. When you look at the whole campaign, I think the guys really went out, and they fought hard for the badge, and that’s the most important thing. It’s something I always take pride in, going out and trying to represent Trinidad and Tobago to the best of my ability. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to do something great for the country, but that is life. Hopefully, off the field or in coaching, I can play that part.”
Molino gave his assessment of what he envisions for Trinidad and Tobago’s footballing future, urging that the current trajectory be maintained by any and all means necessary.
“I believe if the young players have the right mentality and the right attitude, they will listen to the coaches because there is loads of experience in that locker room. Once the players have the right mindset and attitude, I think this team could be a force to be reckoned with in terms of beating the US and beating Mexico. It’s going to take a lot of experience when they get the games and play in difficult places, but I think this team is going to have a big, big dream to do something good,” Molino concluded.
