Bermuda coach forced to make changes for Mexico trip

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Bermuda’s national coach Kyle Lightbourne has been forced to make three changes to his squad for their final group game against Mexico in League A of the CONCACAF Nations League in Toluca next week.

Bermuda face a daunting task having lost last month’s home leg 5-1 and are on the verge of relegation to League B as their goal difference is four worse than second-placed Panama’s.

The Bermudians lost 4-1 at home to Panama before springing a shock by winning the away leg 2-0.

Missing from the 23-man squad are Tre Ming, Jaylon Harvey and Calon Minors, who have been replaced by the recalled Kilian Elkinson and Jahkari Furbert, while Eusebio Blankendal has earned his first call-up.

“Calon can’t make it because of school commitments and Jaylon is injured from the Mexico game and he’s not recovered from that,” Lightbourne said. “Tre has asked to be excused for personal reasons.”

Lightbourne said of the three new faces, two are left-footers who replace two left-footers, adding:. “Eusebio is more of a utility player. He can play defence, can play in midfield, but we’re looking at him more of a defender.”

Bermuda will warm up for next Tuesday’s match against Mexico, the Gold Cup champions, during the international break with a friendly against Major League Soccer side DC United in St Croix, US Virgin Islands, on Friday.

English-based professionals Nahki Wells and Reggie Lambe, as well as non-League players Justin Donawa, Osagi Bascome, Milan Butterfield and newcomer Knory Scott, are also in the Bermuda squad, along with winger Zeiko Lewis, who plays in America for United Soccer League side Charleston Battery.

Wells, 29, who equalled his club tally of last season when he scored his ninth goal of the term at the weekend for English Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers, where he is on loan from Premier League club Burnley, scored both goals in Bermuda’s 2-0 win in Panama and also fired the consolation goal in the 5-1 defeat against Mexico.

Bermuda secured a top seat at the Nations League table by finishing fifth in the qualifiers, which also led to them reaching the Gold Cup for the first time last summer.

 

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