The Daily Dirt, July 25: More on Kenwyne Jones to Central FC

Yesterday afternoon, Kenwyne Jones’ loan to Central FC in his native Trinidad and Tobago became official.

He will be available for their first CONCACAF Champions League match at home against Vancouver on August 2. Their next match in the competition is also at home, on August 16 against Sporting Kansas City. Central’s return matches in Group C are on September 28 in Vancouver and October 19 in Kansas City. The TV rights are held by FOX and Univision. Schedules are not fully updated yet, but the August 2 match is currently slated for Univision Deportes. FOX has not announced their coverage plans yet.

The status of the TT Pro League, which Central won last season, is a little up in the air due to financial difficulties. The schedule for the next season has not been announced yet.

While the status of the league is a concern, being in Trinidad and Tobago will help Jones prepare for big national team games coming up this fall. They currently lead Group C with a three point advantage over the United States. Guatemala would currently not advance with six points in third place. Trinidad and Tobago hosts Guatemala on September 2 in a massive match for both teams’ chances, then travels to Jacksonville to face the US on September 6.

In October, Trinidad and Tobago takes part in 2017 Caribbean Cup qualifying. That tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They play the Dominican Republic on October 5 and Martinique on October 11.

In an official statement, Jones said:

“...of course we have the two World Cup Qualifiers and upcoming Caribbean Cup rounds in October - this makes it the best move. It's a good moment to be home, a good moment to be closely involved in matches between now and December, and it's a good transitioning stage for me before I go off to the new venture in Atlanta."

The loan will officially go into effect on August 1, so expect an announcement from Atlanta United then on both Jones and Chris McCann’s loan to Coventry City. Hector Villalba could be in the same situation in regards to an official announcement, but we are still awaiting some confirmation on his destinations. Tijuana in Liga MX is the front runner in the speculation at the moment.

---

Domestic

Red Bulls win the season series with NYCFC emphatically, coasting to a 4-1 win over their cross town rivals (Once a Metro)

Tommy McNamara still dropped a bomb:

NYCFC manager Patrick Vieira had plenty to say after the match (MLS)

Sporting dominates Seattle, wins 3-0 in Kansas City (The Blue Testament)

Is Sigi Schmid’s time up in Seattle? (FOX Soccer)

Ft. Lauderdale sells one of its best players to Tampa Bay, never a good sign when it comes on the heels of a report about bounced checks (FiftyFive.One)

---

International

In a shocking development, Jose Mourinho has banned Manchester United players from playing Pokemon Go before games (FOX Soccer)

It wan’t because of Pokemon Go, but the Manchester United vs. Manchester City match in the International Champions Cup was canceled today due to an unplayable pitch in Beijing (ESPN FC)

Aston Villa opens an academy in India (Aston Villa)

Liga MX Week 2 wrap up (FMF State of Mind)

Greg Garza had a rough time for Xolos against Puebla:

Remember Andrei Arshavin? He’s lighting up the Kazakhstan league now:

---

Local

Is it possible for the Braves to pull off a blockbuster trade before the deadline? (Talking Chop)

Four things Dan Quinn can improve in 2016 (The Falcoholic)

How will Dwight Howard fit into the Hawks’ offense? (Peachtree Hoops)