The U20 Girls eeking out a win, Hot Boy burning timber in Minnesota and Alvin Jones having a goalie stupefied in a great weekend of Football for Trinidad and Tobago players.
Girls U20s Take Down Puerto Rico in Penalties
The U20s did well to get out of the group stage of the CONCACAF U20 Tournament with a 6-0 drubbing of St. Kitts and a 2-0 win agains the Cayman Islands, but a 7-0 defeat against Haiti to end the stage had some fans concerned going into their first game of the knockout stage against Puerto Rico, who were 1-2 in their group, but facing tough opposition like CONCACAF powerhouses Mexico, only losing 2-1 to them.
Afiya Cornwall nearly removed all doubt and got Trinidad and Tobago off to an early start with the first goal coming in the 3rd minute. Aaliyah Prince crosses it to to the striker, and with a little hesitation move, she was able to get past her man (or woman) and puts it past the keeper in the bottom left corner.
T&T seemed to be the better side, but Puerto Rico capitalized ona couple defensive lapses to go up 2-1 in the first half with goals from Malina Pardo in the 18′ and Idelys Vasquez in the 24′. T&T would equalize thanks to Cornwall again in the . Chrissy Mitchell whipped a cross into the box, Cornwall anticipated where the ball would be and once again puts it past the keeper on the left side to end the half 2-2.
T&T had their chances and looked to be the better side in the 2nd half but just couldn’t get the ball on the right side of the goalposts and the game would go into extra time. Maria-Frances Serrant scored in the 107′ from a Latifha Paschall free kick from distance to put T&T up 3-2′ but 5 minutes later Cristina Torres of Puerto Rico sent the game into penalties with a goal in the 112′.
It came down to Klil Keshwar saving the last penalty to give Trinidad and Tobago the victory over Puerto Rico, advancing to the quarterfinals against Mexico.
Kevin Molino Off To Hot Start In Minnesota
Minnesota United FC Forward Kevin Molino opened up the 2020 MLS season with 2 goals, helping the Loons win 3-1 against the Portland Timbers at Portland for the first time in the franchise’s history.
His first goal came in the 51′ after Ethan Finlay linked up with Robin Lod in the box but got the tripped up by Timbers keeper Steve Clark. Ball was still live and Molino was there to clean it up in true poacher fashion.
His 2nd goal was the third for the Loons after Finlay flipped it to him, stayed offside and just casually puts it in the back of the net to secure 3 points for Minnesota. He was later subbed off in the 81′.
With his performance, he was named the Man Of The Match and is up for consideration for MLS Player of the Week.
Kevin Molino is looking to have a strong season and trying to follow up the 2019 campaign which saw the Loons make the playoffs for the first time in the expansion side’s young history. 2019 was also a sort of a bounce back season, coming off his 2nd ACL tear, the year prior. Last season he scored 3 goals and had 4 assists in 17 games he played last year. He started in 11 of those games.
Molino and Minnesota United’s next game is against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at 9:00 pm.
Watch: Alvin Jones Free Kick
Right back Alvin Jones seems to be settling in nicely with new United Soccer League Championship side Real Monarchs as he scored a free kick from way out to open the scoring in a 3-2 loss to Sacramento Republic FC in a preseason game to prep for the upcoming USL Championship season:
Younger brother to two-time MLS Champion Joevin, Alvin Jones signed to the Monarchs parent club, Real Salt Lake, after spending last season with OKC Energy. He tallied a goal and two assists in 21 matches for the Energy.
Q Sports 