Garcia backs Yorke to deliver for Soca Warriors

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad:

One of Trinidad and Tobago's senior players, Levi Garcia, believes that Dwight Yorke's presence as head coach of the national football team will have a significant impact on its performance.

The 27-year-old Garcia has scored eight goals in 42 appearances for the Soca Warriors and currently plays for Greek Super League club, AEK Athens, where he has scored five goals and provided two assists in 13 matches of the 2024/2025 season.

Yorke, a former national player who won the English Premier League football title with Manchester United, was appointed as head coach in November 2024, and has been given a mandate by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking during an interview on I95.5 FM on Saturday, Garcia said he did not believe people fully understood the effect Yorke's hiring would have on the team.

"I've had a chat with Dwight earlier on when he was appointed as the head coach and I think people underestimate how big Dwight is and the influence that he will bring to the team and surrounding the team," Garcia said.

"I'm really excited to work with him and I'm hoping that he can get the best out of the team."

Garcia, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, said he was energised to represent his country and had been working extremely hard on improving his fitness.

He maintained that once he remained fit he would be a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.

"I'm just working on staying healthy as long as possible so that when I'm with the national team I'm giving 120 per cent and do what I know best and give them what I can.

"...My main focus is to be healthy because I know once I'm healthy I will be able to deliver for the country," Garcia said.

- CMC