Mr. Denmore Roberts, Raffica Attwood, Garfield Whaul and Jarmaz Walsh will be the participants in the Referee Instructor session, while Mr. Curtis Charles, Mr. Kerry Skepple, and Kelisha Antoine will be participating in the Physical Instructor aspect of the course.

The course was declared officially open yesterday (Sunday 10th March, 2013) at the Jolly Beach Resort by the President of CFU, Mr. Gordon Derrick. The participants were also welcomed by the President of the ABFA Mr. Everton Gonsalves.

Also attending were: FiFA Referee Development Officer Mr. Peter Prendergast of Jamaica, Mr. Alfred Whittaker head of Refereeing Dept CFU, Mr. Allan Brown Morgan FIFA Physical Instructor Referees, Mr. Stanley Darville FIFA Technical Instructor, Ms. Gwendolyn Salmon local Coordinator , Mr. Rolston James Chairman of the ABFA Referees Committee , as well as other members of the Referees Association.

The Course commenced immediately after the Opening Ceremony and will be running from March 10th 2013 until March 15th 2013.

Gason “Bubbler” Gregory after giving Old Road the lead in the 59th minute

Kelly Frederick drew Hoppers level in minute 72.

Football Fans in the blechers section of ARG

Round South Possie in the Andy Roberts Stand

George Sowa Dublin

Grays Green Fans in the Bleachers

Round South section

Lime Old Road back to back Champions

In a dramatic encounter with lots of end to end action, the scores were level at 1-all when referee Adrian Skeete of Barbados blew the final whistle.

The draw with Champion Footwear Greenbay Hoppers was enough for Old Road to repeat as champions of the top flight in Antiguan football.

At the conclusion, Hoppers were down to 9 men – losing Eugene Kirwan and the experienced George “Sour” Dublin in the 2nd half.

The first decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Gayson “Bubbler’ Gregory shot the south side ahead.

After an incisive run on the left by Emanuelson of Suriname, Gregory buried the cross from close range – a strike which engendered a thunderous reception by their supporters.

The midfielder made amends after badly missing a chance in the first period.

The Hoppers equalizer was credited to Kelly Frederick who nudged in a curling diagonal drive by Leighton Gordon in the 72nd.

Frederick’s effort followed the expulsion of team-mate Kirwan who was shown red for striking Emnauelson.

Dublin subsequently departed in the 83rd for two bookable offenses as the Gray-Green side’s problems compounded.

With the limitations, Hoppers found the clincher increasingly difficult and Old Road were the ones celebrating at the final whistle. They finished on 45 points – 2 ahead of the runners-up.

Under coach Derrick Edwards, they notched up 14 victories, 3 draws and had a solitary defeat while netting the most goals 53 – 5 more than Hoppers.

Their Gray’s-Green rivals shot to 13 wins, secured 4 draws and suffered one loss.

In another affair, Sugar Ridge Sap relegated La Bousola Willikies to the play-off by beating them 2-1. Okeem Challenger hit the 84th minute winner after an own goal by Steveroy Demon Anthony.

Anthony deflected Francesco Abreu free-kick in the 50th. Aden Williams had given Willikies the advantage just before the break.

Similarly, Education for Advancement Bassa fought from a 1-nil deficit to celebrate a 2-1 victory over Paradise Boat Sales Fort Road. On target were Romario Braithwaite and Lennox ‘Fox” Julian – his 11th of the season.

Alren Lewis had netted for Fort Road in the 17th.

Julian’s tally of goals was 1 short of Tamarley Thomas of hoppers and 5 adrift of the chief marksman Stefan Smith of champions Old Road.

Former champions Asot’s Arcade Parham ended their I-Mobile Premier Division campaign on a high but All Saints United was held to a draw.

Parham hammered relegated Sea View Farm 5-1after holding a 2-1 advantage at the interval. Trevaughn Harriette put the victors ahead in the 13th minute, but it swiftly became 1-all thanks to a Jared Williams reply.

Kenny Morgan restored the lead in the 20th, and shortly after the break Ranjae Christian added to Sea View Farm’s high concession of goals. Damion Hardware joined the party in the 68th and Alston Grant put the icing on the cake in the 90th.

Parham, 2-0 winners over Farm in the first round, finished 4th with 27 points – completing their 18 matches with 7 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses, 24 strikes and 21 against.

In stark contrast, Sea View Farm could only muster 3 victories, 1 draw and suffered 14 defeats.

They conceded the most goals in the competition – 58 – netted only 14 and scrambled 10 points.

In strange circumstances, Special Security Services All Saints United hit back to salvage a 2-all draw with A & R Plumb-Electric Celtics.

Kemoi Alexander’s 10 league effort gave them a 21st minute edge, but just before the break George Sheppard drew level.

Sheppard’s team-mate Steven Hughes drove Celtics ahead in the 61st and perhaps they had visions of reversing the 3-1 result in the initial phase. But that was not to be.

The equalizer came in bizarre fashion when United’s goalkeeper Conroy Semple, deputizing for the injured Tahari Lewis, hit a ball down field and it went through the legs of the Celtics custodian Kwesi Richards.

It was United’s lone draw of the competition, in addition to 8 triumphs and 9 losses, with 4 of the defeats coming in their last 5 outings.

On their way to 25 points, they produced 40 conversions and conceded 35.

Demoted Celtics could manage only 10 points from 2 wins, 4 draws and 12 losses.

In the process, they struck 14 times and saw their net shake on 41 occasions. Like Sea View Farm, Celtics will appear in the 1st Division next season.

A draw for Champion Footwear Greenbay Hoppers and a win for LIME Old Road over the weekend meant that there is now a one point difference at the top of the Standings of the Imobile ABFA Premiere Division.

A frenzied atmosphere at the ARG on Sunday night was only fitting for the impactful results on the field of play.

In the feature encounter between Parham and Hoppers, Ranjae Christian opened the scoring as early as the 18th minute with a well placed drive that flew past the diving Hoppers Custodian.

7 minutes later Striker Kelly Frederick rose above a Parham defender to nod home a free kick from the edge of the area.

Parham then got back on top when Christian completed his double in the 60th as he round the Hoppers goalkeeper to place the ball into the empty net, but the league leaders was not done , Rolston “Lexi” Phoenix equalized in the 75th minute as Parham defenders failed to avert danger.

Champion Footwear Greenbay Hoppers still sits at the top on 39 points and Parham with the point is on 23 points.

In another encounter, LIME Old Road routed Sea View Farm 4-0. Stefan Smith opened the scoring in the 13th minute, before the round south men denied numerous advances from the Farm men.

However in the 71st minute Farm’s defender Astel Joseph gave Old Road a gift converting into his own goal, then Jelani Djemesi hit home from close range in the 87th. But another own goal completed the victory for Old Road.

Lime Old Road edged closer to 38 points while Sea View Farm remained on 10 in the playoff spot.

Education for advancement Bassa too were among the victors as well, they virtually outplayed their neighbors Special Security Services All Saints United 2-1. Lennox “Fox” Julian opened the scoring in the 10th minute from the penalty spot before Bernado Milford doubled the lead in the 37th. Substitute Lavar Henry latched onto consecutive passes before pulling one back for United in the 88th.

However, Referee Brian Willet had to produce multiple red cards in the encounter, United’s Conroy Hall and Bassa’s Lakeme Francis were given their marching orders along with Lawson Robinson in added time. All for violent conduct.

Education for Advancement Bassa sits mid-table on 20 points and United are on 24 points.

In other fixtures, Former Champions Sugar Ridge Sap bounced back from a 3-1 position at half time to defeat Fort Road 4-3, Okeem “Soda” Challenger converted twice.Challenger struck during the run of play in the 26th minute and later hit the back of the net from the penalty spot, which turned out to be the decider. Rackley “Leech” Thomas had scored SAP’s 2nd goal right after the interval and Francisco Abreu made it 3-all in the 64th, five minutes before Challenger hit the winner.

As for Paradise Boat Sales Fort Road, Lindon Goodwin had given them the lead with a 21st minute effort and Kareem Michael struck in the 30th and 3 minutes later to give them a 2-goal cushion but they could not sustain the advantage.

Sugar Ridge Sap 6 points back of the leaders on 33 is in 3rd spot while Fort Road on 12 points is 4th from bottom.

In the battle of the relegation threatened sides, Labrusola Willikies beat A&R Plumbing and Electrical Celtics 2-nil with goals coming from Steveroy “Demon” Anthony and Aden Williams.

However, it was a bitter sweet encounter for the victors who had Safan Roberts sent off for 2 bookable offences in the 66th minute of play.

Willikies pushed on to 9 points and Celtics remains on 6 both good for cellar position.

The Antigua Barracuda FC are pleased to announce the 2013 professional schedule with its season opener against the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, April13th at 7:00 p.m. at the QU of C sports Complex.
USL PRO will field 13 teams in a single-table format, playing a 26-game schedule as the league embarks on a ground breaking partnership with MLS which features Barracuda in interleague games versus MLS Reserve teams FC Dallas and San Jose Earthquake.

Two new teams have been added to USL PRO in 2013, with the Phoenix FC Wolves and VSI Tampa
Bay FC joining the 11 returning teams from 2012.

2013 USL PRO Playoffs will include the top eight finishers in the table, with the quarterfinals (No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, etc.) set for the weekend of August 23-25. The semi-finals featuring the four remaining teams will be played the following weekend, with the 2013 USL PRO Championship set for the weekend of September 6-8.

All playoff rounds feature a single-game knockout format and teams will not be re-seeded following each round.

04/13/ – Charlotte Eagles – Queens University of Charlotte Sports Complex 7.00pm
04/19 – Wilmington Hammerheads – Legion Stadium 7.30pm
04/20 – Charleston Battery – Blackbaud Stadium 7.30pm
05/03 – VSI Tampa Bay FC – TBD
05/04 – Orlando City – Florida Citrus Bowl 7.30pm
05/10 – Harrisburg City Islanders – Skyline Sports Complex 7.00pm
05/11 – Richmond Kickers – City Stadium 7.00pm
05/24 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Highmark Stadium 7.00pm
05/26 – Dayton Dutch Lions – Miami Valley South Stadium 6.30pm
06/07 – VSI Tampa Bay FC – TBD
06/09 – Orlando City – Florida Citrus Bowl 7.30pm
06/14 – Richmond Kickers – City Stadium 7.00pm
06/16 – Harrisburg City Islanders – Skyline Sports Complex 4.00pm
06/21 – Rochester Rhinos – Sahlen’s Stadium 7.35pm
06/23 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Highmark Stadium 3.00pm
07/04 – Los Angeles Blues – Cal State Fullerton Titan Stadium 7.30pm
07/06 – Phoenix FC Wolves – Sun Devil Soccer Stadium 7.30pm
07/11 – Phoenix FC Wolves – Sun Devil Soccer Stadium 7.30pm
07/13 – Los Angeles Blues – Cal State Fullerton Titan Stadium 7.30pm
07/16 – San Jose Earthquakes Reserves – TBD
07/23 – FC Dallas Reserves – FC Dallas Stadium TBD
07/26 – Dayton Dutch Lions – Miami Valley South Stadium 7.oopm
07/28 – Rochester Rhinos – Sahlen’s Stadium 4.05pm
08/10 – Charlotte Eagles – Queens University of Charlotte Sports Comp 7.00pm
08/15 – Charleston Battery – Blackbaud Stadium 7.30pm
08/17 – Wilmington Hammerheads 7.30 pm

CONFEDERATION’S PREMIER NATIONAL TEAM TOURNAMENT TO VISIT EIGHT NEW VENUES AND SIX NEW CITIES EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE EVENT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

MIAMI (Wednesday, January 23, 2013) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF) announced today the 13 venues and host cities that will welcome the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup from July 7-28, 2013.

“We would like to thank all cities and venues in the United States for their interest in our Confederation’s Gold Cup and congratulate the ones that have been selected to host its 2013 edition.” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “CONCACAF is looking forward to a successful tournament, working in close partnership with both stadium and local authorities, while expanding the reach of our competition to a larger number of fans in more locations throughout the United States.”

The region’s premier National Team tournament will again expand its footprint by visiting eight new world-class venues in this year’s edition: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD; Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO; Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT; BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX; Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL; JELD-WEN Field in Portland, OR and Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT. Six new Gold Cup cities are featured in this group of newcomers, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, Hartford, Portland and Salt Lake City. Houston and Miami return to host the tournament, for the 5th and 9th time consecutive time, respectively.

The event will also return to five venues from its previous editions including Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX (2009, 2011); Soldier Field in Chicago, IL (2007, 2009, 2011); Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA (1991, 2002, 2011); Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ (2011) and CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA (2005, 2009). Years in parenthesis denote Gold Cups at each venue.

With a mix of historic venues and brand new state of the art soccer facilities that average 57,000 spectators, the 2013 edition of the Gold Cup promises to provide fans both in stadium and at home with unforgettable atmospheres in world class venues. In 2011, the tournament drew more than 600,000 fans throughout 13 match-days, including nine sell-outs.

To date, eleven of the twelve participating national teams have qualified for this year’s tournament. In alphabetical order: Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States. The final spot will be decided on Friday in the fifth-place match of the 2013 UNCAF Copa Centroamericana between Guatemala and Panama, which is being held in Costa Rica.

Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup has established itself as the region’s most popular national team tournament, routinely drawing capacity crowds and millions of viewers across the region. Featuring the best players from the confederation, the tournament includes the top 12-nations in the region.

2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Host City & Venue list
(In alphabetical order by host city)

HOST CITY – VENUE (Venue Location)
• Atlanta – Georgia Dome (Atlanta, GA)
• Baltimore – M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, MD)
• Chicago – Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)
• Dallas – Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, TX)
• Denver – Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Denver, CO)
• Hartford – Rentschler Field (East Hartford, CT)
• Houston – BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, TX)
• Los Angeles – Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
• Miami – Sun Life Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
• New York– Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)
• Portland – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, OR)
• Salt Lake City – Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, UT)
• Seattle – CenturyLink Field (Seattle, WA)

About CONCACAF
CONCACAF “The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football” is one of six continental confederations of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and serves as the governing body of football in this part of the world. It is composed of 40 national associations, from Canada in the north to Guyana, Surinam and French Guyana in the south.

Gene Small and Jared Williams hit home for the victors as early as the 10th and 14th minutes before Roy Gregory pulled a goal back and made things more interesting in minute 16th for United.

With the loss United remain on 24 points and Sea View Farm moves unto 10 points two short of Paradise Boat Sales Fort Road who remained on 12 points after a lost to Asot’s Arcade Parham 3-2.

Trevaughn Harriette found the back of the net twice and Kerry “Arab” Skepple added the other goal for Parham. Lyndon Goodwin spurred on Fort Road with his first half effort which was not enough as well as Glenroy Samuel’s penalty in the final kick of the match before the full time whilstle.

The win takes Parham to 22 points.

But the Scenario at the top of the standings remains interesting Leaders Champion Footwear Green Bay Hoppers powered by a Jemoy Stevens header overcame a physical battle against Bassa, winning 1-0 to maintain their 3point gap over Lime Old Road at the top of the standings with 38 points.

Old Road however hammered bottom club La Brousola Willikies 5-0. Led by Stefan Smith’s hatrick and a goal each from Emanuelson and Tyo Simon urge on the Derrick Edwards Coach side to victory. Old Road is on 35 points and Willikies lies in the cellar on 6 points.

Big win too for Sugar Ridge Sap who pummeled A&R Plumbing and Electrical Celtics 5-0. Okeem ‘Soda” Challenger hit home twice while Francesco Abreau, Troy Mellanson and Odel Murray had a goal each for Sap.

The win moves Sap to 30 points while Celtics remain on 6 points in relegation zone with Willikies.

But both teams’ next encounter they would have to play without the services of two players in Miguel Byers of Sap and Danny Potter of Celtics who was red carded by referee Vanroy Burns for violent conduct.

The 19-year old broke into the first-team at the start of the campaign, making his full debut in the UEFA Champions League against Panathinaikos in Athens.
At the end of August Francis-Angol received a call up to the Benna Boys World Cup Qualifying matches against Guatemala.
Starting both games, Zaine earned praise from Antigua coach Tom Curtis and looks set to have a long international career ahead of him – having won four caps already.
I love it here. It’s a lot slower paced than in London and I think I prefer that. Everybody wants to play; that includes me and hopefully I can be a regular.
The Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate has subsequently impressed when filling in for the established Stevie Hammell where his pace and trickery going forward can be powerful weapon for Stuart McCall’s side towards the latter part of a match.
He has turned out seventeen times in Claret and Amber, six as a starter and eleven from the substitutes bench.
Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, the 19-year old said: “I’m delighted and can’t wait to carry on with the rest of the season.
“The financial side of Scottish Football isn’t the same as down south so obviously clubs have to give their youth an opportunity and hopefully I can be a part of that. I love it here. It’s a lot slower paced than in London and I think I prefer that. Everybody wants to play; that includes me and hopefully I can be a regular.
“Motherwell is a great foundation and hopefully I can play on from here and see where I end up.”

The training period dates will run from January 21 to 30 in Arizona. Griffith’s opportunity was organised by Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) and has been in the works since the country’s failed 2014 World Cup bid.

The utility player has scored five times in 13 matches to date in the country’s top division. Quinton also played an instrumental role in the country’s lone Professional team Antigua Barracudas, a concept currently used by the Antigua and Barbuda FA to prepare the national players for international contracts and World Cup Qualifiers.

National players Akeem “Leppy” Thomas of Parham, Elvis “Chung” Thomas of LIME Old Road, Peter “Big Pete” Byers of Sugar Ridge SAP and Troy Dublin of Education for Advancement Bassa – left the island to take up professional contracts in T&T.

Defending Champions Lime Old Road had a goal scoring affair against Sea View Farm as the round-south men trounced the relegation threatened side 6-0. Contribution from 5 different players made sure Old Road inflicted defeat. Tash Harris, Stefan Smith, Akeem Thomas Orlando Mitchum and Gayson Gregory all found the back of the net. Farm’s defender Astel Joseph was guilty of adding an own goal to the score sheet.

In another affair Champion Footwear Greenbay Hoppers won by a 3-2 margin over Asot’s Arcade Parham in an exciting finish. Parham drew first blood through forward Kerry “Arab” Skepple from close range to take a 1-0 lead into the half.

But on resumption it was a close fought battle at both ends of the field in what was a drama filled second half. It all changed in the 80th minute when a Parham Goal keeping error caused a free kick to be awarded to Hoppers on the edge of the area.
However, the Green Bay men had lady luck on their side as the ensuing free kick was taken which led to Parham’s defender Damian Hardware bringing down midfielder Rolston “Lexi” Phoenix in the box. It forced referee Audwyn “Jama” Walsh to point to the penalty spot as well as reducing Parham to 10 men by giving Hardware his marching orders.

Midfielder Tony Thomas stepped up and put away the spot kick to level the score. But Hoppers was not done when a few minutes later substitute striker Kelly Frederick slot home from close range and defender Omarie Daniel adding another before time, capping off the comeback. Ranja Christian later added a consolation deep into extra time.

In another matche played over the weekend La Brussola Willikes is still winless after Marlon Williams gave the men from the east a bright start against Paradise Boat Sales Fort Road as early as the 11th minute. Fort Road later stormed back through Kareem Micheal and Pierre Cooke to give them a 2-1 win over Willikies.

Sugar Ridge Sap had to comeback late to take all three points from their encounter against A&R Celtics in a 3-1 win. Uroy Peters opened the scoring in the 8th minute before Santo Domingo born Francisco Abreu well placed free kick notched the score line at 1-1 until the 87th minute when Deshawn Samuel gave Sap the lead.But the prolific Peter Byers continued his goal scoring form adding the final goal before the full time whistle.

Sunday night’s feature match the much anticipated All Saints derby which pitted All Saints United versus Bassa in wet and soggy conditions didn’t lived up to the hype. A lackluster 1st half would only prove that the second period would be more exciting and fruitful for both teams.

Bassa opened the scoring through Roger Hurst in the 59th minute with a beautiful shot from the edge of the 18 yard box after United’s defenders failed to close down the forward with haste, but immediately after Kemoi Alexander answered for United 2 minutes later. The difference in the encounter however turned out to be United’s defender Williams Lewis Jr who drived his shot low and hard in the back of the net which won it for United 2-1.