Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors overseas-based quartet of Kevin Molino, Ryan Telfer, Aubrey David and Nicklas Frenderup were all named in the Best XI of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary round.
The quartet all played key roles in helping the Soca Warriors advance to the Gold Cup main draw with a 6-1 hammering of Montserrat followed by a penalty shoot-out victory against French Guiana, 8-7 after a 1-1 full-time deadlock.
The Soca Warriors who have been under the care of interim coach Angus Eve for two weeks after Englishman Terry Fenwick was axed following the failed 2022 World Cup Qatar campaign will begin Group A pool play against defending champions Mexico on Saturday from 10 pm in Arlington, Texas.
T&T will also face El Salvador on July 14, and Curacao four days later in their other round-robin group matches.
The 31-old Molino plies his trade with Columbus Crew in US Major League Soccer; Telfer, 27 is attached to Canada Premier league outfit Atletico Ottawa; David, 30, is a member of reigning Costa Rican Clausura champions Deportivo Saprissa and 28-year-old Denmark-based Frenderup, who saved the decisive penalty in the 8-7 shootout win over French Guiana after the 1-1 regulation-time draw is attached to Ranheim Football.
The Concacaf media release stated: "The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Prelims are in the books and there were a number of standout individual performances. Here is the Best XI from the First and Second Rounds of the Prelims."
Best XI
GK Nicklas Frenderup, Trinidad and Tobago – Frenderup allowed just two goals over the two matches and was the hero for the Soca Warriors in their 8-7 penalty shootout win over French Guiana by stopping the decisive penalty that sent Trinidad and Tobago to the group stage.
DF Ronan Hauterville, Guadeloupe – The captain of Les Gwada Boys completed 16 passes against Guatemala and helped keep the high-scoring Chapines at bay. Calmly converted his penalty in Guadeloupe’s 10-9 penalty shootout win.
DF Gerardo Gordillo, Guatemala – The veteran Gordillo completed 91 per cent of his passes against Guadeloupe and had a steal in the 4-0 win over Guyana.
DF Aubrey David, Trinidad and Tobago – Suffering a cut that required nine stitches against Montserrat, David pressed on and delivered a top performance against French Guiana, completing 33 passes.
MF Ryan Telfer, Trinidad and Tobago – Telfer was a stable presence for Trinidad and Tobago, completing 67 per cent of his passes against French Guiana and scoring versus Montserrat.
MF Derrick Etienne Jr., Haiti – Always a threat on the wings, Etienne was a creative force going forward for Les Grenadiers in both wins and had a goal for himself in the 6-1 win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
MF Kevin Molino, Trinidad and Tobago – Molino was the centrepiece of the Trinidad and Tobago attack, scoring a goal in each game and also converting his penalty in the shootout victory over French Guiana.
MF Matthias Phaeton, Guadeloupe – Phaeton was the biggest threat for Guadeloupe and scored a goal in the 2-0 win versus the Bahamas, followed by the opener against Guatemala.
FW Frantzdy Pierrot, Haiti – Pierrot was superb for Haiti, scoring a goal in the 6-1 win against Vincy Heat and then a hat trick in just 12 minutes against Bermuda.
FW Duckens Nazon, Haiti – Nazon was right behind his countryman Pierrot in goalscoring exploits, with a pair against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and a goal against Bermuda. Also helped set up a Pierrot goal against the Gombey Warriors.
FW Nahki Wells, Bermuda – Bermuda may have fallen short of the group stage, but Wells was excellent with a hat trick in the 8-1 win against Barbados and the lone Bermuda goal versus Haiti. Made history by scoring the fastest Gold Cup goal when he tallied 17 seconds into the match against Barbados.