USL Feature
Monday, March 28, 2011
ANTIGUA BARRACUDA FC
Head Coach: Tom Curtis
2010 Season: N/A
The Lowdown – After playing an exhibition schedule in 2010, Antigua Barracuda embarks on its first professional season in USL PRO’s International Division. With a squad primarily made up of players from the Antiguan national team and Antiguan Premier League, the club is hoping to make a good first impression.
Key Departures – The Barracudas were able to retain most of the squad from the exhibition season, which gave them a slight head start on building the club’s first professional squad this offseason. As such, no key figures have departed.
Key Returnees – The team’s captain is always a key figure, and the Barracudas’ George Dublin is no exception. The center back will be a key piece in front of new goalkeeper Miguel Baez. Another important figure will be forward Tamorley Thomas, who has scored five goals in 18 games for the Antiguan national team.
Key Additions – The addition of Antiguan international forward Peter Byers may have been the most important move of the Barracudas’ offseason, with the 26-year-old bringing a wealth of experience to the club. A former USL-1 champion with the Montreal Impact, Byers has also scored 12 goals in 24 games for the Antiguan national team, and more than 100 goals during his professional club career.
The Coach’s Opinion – “We are looking to consolidate our position in this new league. We are quietly confident we can do well this year but realize it’s a new adventure for our franchise. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the players to play on a professional stage and an exciting time for the island and its football fans.” – CEO Bo Matthew
If it all goes to plan – It’s probably too much to ask for the Barracudas to make the playoffs in their first season, but they could certainly manage to spring a surprise along the way. With a fan-base that appears ready to embrace the new team, the Sticky Wicket Stadium could be a tricky venue for opponents to travel to this season.