Jack Warner: “At the end of the day, after 28 years we have now settled the score with the USA for the first time.” (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Outside of the Trinidad & Tobago national team, perhaps no one was happier that the United States failed to reach the World Cup for the eighth consecutive time Tuesday night than Jack Warner.

Warner, the former FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president who is facing extradition charges to the United States, was elated the Soca Warriors showed the Americans the door in a 2-1 result in Couva, Trinidad.

He called the win “the best day” of his life, according to the Trinidad Guardian. Warner also told the newspaper the victory was “a glowing achievement” and a “feather in the cap” of the T&T side.

“God don’t sleep, and they have paid a price for what they have done to football in FIFA, CONCACAF and in the Caribbean,” Warner was quoted by the Guardian as he referred to the U.S.’s Justice Dept.’s role in indicted FIFA and CONCACAF officials and bringing them to justice.

According to InsideWorldFootball.com, Warner told a Trinidad radio station: “I have not been in better spirits. This is the happiest day of my life. It [the win] couldn’t have given me greater joy.”

“They have used their government to help to dismember FIFA in a way that is unimaginable. And last night on the field of play Trinidad and Tobago reduced them to their knees.

Warner also enjoyed the fact the Soca Warriors denied the Americans a place at Russia 2018, almost three decades after the U.S.’s 1-0 triumph in Trinidad in 1989 denied the hosts a chance to reach Italia ’90.

“At the end of the day, after 28 years we have now settled the score with the USA for the first time,” he was quoted by the Guardian. “You know something, we have beaten them when it hurts the most that they cannot qualify to go to Russia.”

Extradition proceedings are expected to begin in the Port of Spain Magistrate’s Court soon after Warner lost his lawsuit challenging his extradition to the U.S. Warner was indicted by U.S. authorities over allegations of racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies over 24 years.

For the original story, visit:

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/2017-10-12/warner-usa-has-paid-price

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.