Under-15 players are getting ready to participate in the inaugural CONCACAF Under-15 Championship to be held in the Cayman Islands from 14-25 August. They represent teams from across the Caribbean and Central America, and include Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.
Find below more information on some of the players.
Antigua & Barbuda - Ammile Greenaway
Age: 15
Position: Striker/Winger
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 7 years old when I first started playing football.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy dribbling past players and being competitive.
Have you always played in the same position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
No, I have played on the left wing on many occasions.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I'm looking forward to travelling and having fun with my teammates and being competitive on the field.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
The sports icon that has influence me the most is Dutch footballer Robin Van Persie.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
Manchester United F.C. (England)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I'm looking forward to play against all the teams because I feel my team has the potential to face them.
Bermuda - Amar Lewis
Age: 15
Position: Centre Midfield
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 5 years old when I started playing football.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I like playing with people that enjoy the game as much as I do.
Have you always played in the centre midfield position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I’ve played central defensive midfielder, winger, striker and center back.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I’m looking forward to meeting people from other countries with good abilities to play football.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
Retired English footballer Paul Scholes.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
FC Barcelona (Spain)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
Jamaica
Cayman Islands - Kory Mclean
Age: 15
Position: Right Back
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 7 years old when I played football for the first time.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
The thrill and the fact that what you put in is what you get out of the sport. It is my belief that football is a sport in which to succeed, you must have heart and the determination. You have to be willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the team.
Have you always played in the right back position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I’ve also played center back, but I prefer the right back position as it allows me to advance the play by making over laps. One advantage of playing the center back position is that it gives me the ability to control the pace of the game, while maintaining the team’s overall formation.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I am most looking forward to competing at a level where I am representing not only my team but my country against some of the best players in the Caribbean.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
Brazilian footballer Thiago Silva and Brazil’s national team.
What is your favorite professional football team?
Manchester United F.C. (England)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I’m most looking forward to playing against Jamaica as I’m sure they will be a very challenging team. Given the long standing rivalry between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica this will make for a very exciting game.
Curaçao - Naisier Guanipa
Age: 13 years old
Position: Left and Right Wing
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 7 years old when I played football for the first time.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
Scoring goals! Also I enjoy being part of the team and the teamwork.
Have you always played in the left position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I prefer playing in the left wing position.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
To play good – to do the things I've learned and the things I have to do.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
German Mario Gotze is one of my most favorite football players.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
I actually have two favorite teams: the Borussia Dortmund (Germany) and the FC Barcelona (Spain).
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I don’t know what the level of play of other teams is.
El Salvador - Gerardo Amilcar Molina Ruiz
Age: 14
Position: Midfielder
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 5 years old when I played football for the first time.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy playing football because it is a very passionate game. Being on the field with my teammates is definitely one of the things that I enjoy the most.
Have you always played in the same position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I’ve always played in the forward position, but I’ve now switched to the midfield position. However I prefer to play in the forward position because my speed is one of my best skills.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
Our goal is to show how hard we’ve trained to win the championship.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
The Brazilian player Ricardo Kaká.
What is your favorite professional football team?
My favorite football team is Real Madrid (Spain)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I would like to play against Honduras.
Guadeloupe - Yvann Maçon
Age: 14
Position: Midfield
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 6 years old when I started playing at Juvenis, Club of Sainte-Rose.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy the various sensations and feelings of this game.
Have you always played in the midfield position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
Due to my age, I've always played in this position.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I hope to represent Guadeloupe and aim for victory.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
I admire Spanish footballer Andres Iniesta.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
My favorite team is Real Madrid (Spain)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament, which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I think at this age all countries are good rivals, I hope we have a great tournament.
Jamaica - Jaaziel Shaphan Thompson
Age: 15
Position: Central Defense
How old were you when you first played football?
I’ve been playing football ever since I can remember. I remember playing with father and my brother and learning how to kick the ball.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy passing the ball and of course scoring goals. I love to see when a good build up leads to a goal.
Have you always played in the center half position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
Before I played in centre half, I played left midfield and central defensive midfield. It doesn’t really matter where I play as long as I am out on the pitch helping my team.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I am mostly looking forward to playing in a different surrounding and playing against the best of the best teams that are being represented by very talented individuals.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
Steven Gerrard, he plays for the Liverpool and for England’s national team. He is the player who has influenced me the most because of his ability to pass, kick and control the ball, his loyalty to his club and his good leadership style along with his ability to carry his team.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
Yes, my favorite professional football team is Manchester United F.C. (England)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
The team that I’m most anxious to play against is Honduras because they normally play at a high pace.
Puerto Rico- Elismael Ortiz Reyes
Age: 15
Position: Defender
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 6 years old when I started playing football.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I like the possession, just having the ball in my feet.
Have you always played in the defender position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I have also played defensive midfielder.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I expect to gain international experience by playing in such a prestigious tournament and to proudly represent my country the best way possible.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
Spanish footballer Carles Puyol, who plays for FC Barcelona.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
Club Atlético Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I’m looking forward to play against El Salvador.
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines -Kevon Clarke
Age: 14
Position: Forward
How old were you when you first played football?
I started playing when I was 3 years old.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
The joy of winning and scoring goals is unique. It also gives me an opportunity to do something I love and that I’m passionate about.
Have you always played in the forward position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I have played midfield; this position is my favorite because I can distribute the ball and control the flow of the game.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
Taking my team all the way, lifting the championship trophy, if it is not possible, I would have ensured I represented my team to the best of my ability.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
My father, he is always supporting and motivating me.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
Manchester United F.C. (England), I enjoy their style of football.
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
Trinidad and Tobago, it would be exciting to defeat them if we ever meet.
St. Kitts and Nevis - Geovannie Lake
Age: 14
Position: Forward / striker
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 9 years old when I first played football.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy scoring goals.
Have you always played in the same position? If not, what other positions have you played and which do you prefer?
I started out football playing the center backer position and then move to the striking / forward position. I prefer playing the striking / forward position because I love scoring goals.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I am looking forward to meet with players from other teams and winning the tournament.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
The person that influenced me most is professional footballer Samuel Eto’o from Cameroon.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
My favorite team is Juventus F.C. (Italy)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I’m looking forward to play against Trinidad and Tobago.
St Lucia - Ryi Maryat
Age: 14
Position: Midfield
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 6 years old when I first started playing football.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I really enjoy the competitive aspect of the game.
Have you always played in the midfield position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
Anywhere the coach sees fit as I’m still learning the game.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I’m looking forward to representing my country and to the challenges of international football as I have never played at this level before.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
I’ve been influenced by many players but if I had to choose one it would be Darren Sammy who is the captain of the St Lucian and West Indian team.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
My favorite is FC Barcelona (Spain), they are the best.
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I’m most looking forward to playing against Jamaica.
The Bahamas - Phieron Joshua Wilson
Age: 14 years
Position: Right Defender
How old were you when you first played football?
At the age of seven years I was first introduced to football at the encouragement of my older brother who was a member of our primary school soccer team. Since then I have become serious about football and joined the private soccer league which took me to the national development program, now it’s a privilege to a member of The Bahamas national U15 team.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
There are many things that I enjoy about playing football; but if I had to choose just one, it would be celebrating with my teammates after we have scored a goal.
Have you always played in the right defender position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
In addition to playing right defender, I have also played in the position of centre midfielder, centre back and left forward. Of these four positions I prefer to play centre midfielder. However, I’m prepared to play in any position that my coach feels will most benefit our team.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I’m most looking forward to the experience of playing with various teams from the Caribbean. I’m excited about travelling abroad to represent The Bahamas and to bring home the gold.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
The sports icon that has influenced me most is “Ke’tler Laveran Lima Ferreia” (Pepe) who plays centre-back for Real Madrid CF. The reason why he is my sports icon is because of the position he plays and the position I play. The way he plays with the right defender shows me the way I should play with my centre back and how we should move with each other. I also find him to be a great player who thinks and reads the game.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
My favorite football club is Real Madrid C.F. because they have Pepe on their team also I find them to be a well-organized club with some of the best players in the world which has brought the club 15 UEFA Europa League titles.
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I’m most looking forward to playing against the Cayman Islands’ soccer club because they have the home court advantage and it would be exciting to win against them on their own turf.
Trinidad and Tobago - Anthony Herbert
Age: 15
Position: Attacking Midfield
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 8 years old.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy scoring goals.
Have you always played in the midfield position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
Striker and both wings.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I’m expecting good performances.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
Brazilian footballer Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, known as Ronaldinho.
What is your favorite professional football team?
FC Barcelona (Spain)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I would like to play against Mexico.
U.S Virgin Islands - Jett Squires Blaschka
Age: 13
Position: Center Midfield
How old were you when you first played football?
I was 7 years old when I first started playing football.
What do you enjoy the most about playing football?
I enjoy the competition and scoring.
Have you always played in the center midfield position? If not, what other positions have you played in and which do you prefer?
I used to play right midfield.
What are you most looking forward to while competing in the first CONCACAF Under-15 Tournament?
I am looking forward to giving a great performance as a team.
Who is a sports icon that has influenced you the most?
English footballer David Beckham.
What’s your favorite professional football team?
Manchester United F.C. (England)
Of all the countries competing in the Under-15 Tournament which team are you most looking forward to playing against?
I am very excited about playing against the Cayman Islands.
