Martinique
How they qualified
Martinique qualified with relative ease for the Gold Cup in CONCACAF Nations League qualifying, finished third overall with four wins from four, with their 1-0 win in rival Guadeloupe sending them to their sixth Gold Cup.
Tournament record
They have previously qualified on five occasions, with a group stage appearance in 1993 their first attempt at the Gold Cup. A 9-0 defeat to Mexico was their harsh introduction to the Gold Cup and they failed to qualify for the next three tournaments, but surprised many in 2000 by making the Quarter-finals and only losing on penalties to eventual winners Canada.
Since then, they’ve gone out in the group stages in 2003, 2013 and 2017, but have always brought colour, skill and a sense of the unexpected to the Gold Cup.
Star men
Kevin Parsemain (pictured) is rapidly becoming a major star after four goals in two tournaments. He has been selected for the squad for this competition and will be the focal point for the Martinique attack. Defender Jordy Delem, who is making waves in Major League Soccer with Seattle Sounders.
Manager
Head coach Mario Bocaly has been able to assemble a good, strong squad, utilising a mixture of local players and players honing their craft in France and Spain.
What can we expect?
The overseas French department of Martinique has performed well above expectations in the past in the Caribbean, taking on and beating the regional heavyweights like Jamaica, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago.
They face Canada in the opening game of the tournament in Pasadena, then possibly their best chance for a tournament win against Cuba in the second game, before rounding things off against Mexico. Progress will be difficult, but not impossible for a developing team with youth and experience, so the result against Canada could be crucial.
Schedule
15 June – Martinique v Canada
Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
19 June– Cuba v Martinique
Venue: Broncos Mile High Stadium, Denver
23 June – Martinique v Mexico
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Loïc Chauvet 30-04-1988 CS Case-Pilote
Arnaud Huygues 30-12-1985 Aiglon du Lamentin
Stephane Michalet 16-03-1989 US Robert
DEFENDERS
Jean-Sylvain Babin 14-10-1986 Sporting Gijón
Samuel Camille 02-02-1986 Tenerife
Rodrigue César 14-04-1988 Club Colonial
Sébastien Cretinoir 12-02-1986 Golden Lion
Jordy Delem 18-03-1993 Seattle Sounders
Audrick Linord 17-04-1987 US Robert
Yann Thimon 01-01-1990 Franciscain
Yordan Thimon 10-09-1996 Franciscain
MIDFIELDERS
Stéphane Abaul 23-11-1991 Franciscain
Romario Barthelery 24-06-1994 Golden Lion
Daniel Herelle 17-10-1988 Golden Lion
Wesley Jobello 23-01-1994 Gazélec Ajaccio
Joris Marveaux 15-08-1982 Gazélec Ajaccio
Karl Vitulin 15-01-1991 AS Samaritaine
STRIKERS
Mickael Biron 26-08-1997 Golden Lion
Kevin Fortune 06-08-1989 Troyes
Christof Jougon 10-07-1995 Franciscain
Johnny Marajo 12-10-1993 Franciscain
Kévin Parsemain 13-02-1988 Golden Lion
Grégory Pastel 18-09-1990 Riviere-Pilote