It was a mild night in Riffa nearly a decade ago when Trinidad and Tobago secured their place in the 2006 World Cup by beating Bahrain 1-0 on the islands second largest city solidifying their record as the world’s smallest nation to ever make the World Cup overtaking Jamaica’s 98’ feat. Dennis Lawrence’s 2nd half header catapulted the island of 1.1 into the world’s biggest and most watched event and pitted his country among some of the world’s best football players including Zidan, Kaka, Ronaldo, and Messi. The president had declared the day of qualification as a national holiday and players were given the Chanconia Medal, the country’s 2nd highest honor. Trinidad exploded at the news, school closed early, people went out from work to celebrate on streets, partying had spread to homes, towns, bars, and beaches. It was Carnival in November . Although the Soca Warriors only scored a point in the World cup, they put in some great performances against world class teams to stand out and become fan favorites. The 2006 squad had become legendary in the country. In today’s post we look at where the players are today and how they made it on the worlds biggest stage the FIFA WORLD CUP.

Niel Shaka Hislop

A legendary goalkeeper Niel Shaka Hislop rose to the occasion as he came out of retirement to join the twin island nation for the 2006 cup. After starter Kevin Jack suffered a calf injury in the warm ups it was Niel who helped his team earn their only point at a WC with a 0-0 tie over Sweden. Making several world class saves throughout the tournament Shaka was instrumental in giving the Trinidadians hope against any opponent. Hislop kept the scores even for 83 minutes against powerhouse England before goals by Crouch and Gerrard ended the Soca Warriors hope of advancement. If his footballing achievements aren’t enough to impress his educational accomplishment are. After earning a scholarship to play D-1 soccer at Howard University, Niel went on to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. It was during his studies at Howard that he interred for a time at NASA. Today he spends his days working as an analyst for ESPN.

Avery John

Avery John’s career started in the most unexpected of places, an American community college. Playing for the Yavapai College “Roughriders” in the outskirts of Phoenix who would have thought that one day he would play at the world’s biggest stage. John was a regular starter for the twin island’s putting in strong performances defensively. After joining D-1 American College in D.C. Avery grinded out his career beginning with the New Orleans Storm also known as the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (not a joke). After completing tryouts in Ireland his spend years bouncing around in their premiere league eventually ending up back in the states playing for various MLS teams most notably the New England Revolution. He was the first player send off in 2006 after a 2nd yellow for a tackle on Sweden’s Christian Wilhelmsson. No information could be found on his whereabouts today.

Brent Sancho

Sancho like Avery began his career at an American community college, he played for Essex in Baltimore. After impressing he was recruited by St. Johns where he went on to win the schools only national championship in 1996. After his college career he played amateur soccer for the Brooklyn Italians (not a joke either). He was able to secure a tryout in Finland in 1999 and spend 1 season playing for Tervarit. Coming back to the states he played in throughout the USL eventually moving to Scotland and then coming back to the states finishing his career at the Rochester Rhinos of the USL. Following the end of his playing days he founded Central FC, a pro team that competes in his native Trinidad.

Dennis Lawrence

A hero for scoring the winning goal sending the Islands to their first World Cup Dennis began his career as a supermarket

attendant in Port of Spain. After joining the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (Their military), he became eligible to play for Defense Force FC (Military branch pro soccer team). Impressing within the Trinidadian League Dennis signed for English conference club Wrexham. He would go on to have spells at Swansea city and Crewe Alexandra ending his career at Puerto Rican club San Juan Jabloteh. He now spends his days as a First Team Developmental coach at Everton.

Chris Birchall

The curious case of Chris Burchall, the only white man to make an appearance for the Soca Warriors in the new millennium. Beginning his career at Port Vale of League 1 Birchall become a standout among the lower English soccer pyramid. Although he was born in England he became eligible to play for the twin islands because his mother was born in the Port of Spain. After Dennis Lawrence walked over to him during a game between Wrexham and Port Vale saying “I hear you’ve got some ‘Trini’ blood in you? Lawrence and his agent made the proper contract preparations to play for the Caribbean nation. He earned the notable nickname of “Me Mum” after a journalist asked him why and how he was qualified to play for Trinidad, he replied simply “Me Mum”. His most notable achievement was a screaming goal in Port of Spain that allowed the twin islands to equalize against Bahrain (World Cup Wild Card Qualification Match) a result that would hold up after the team would go on to win 1-0 in Bahrain. Birchall retired from international football in August of 2013. He continues to play for Port Vale today.