Having had a few days to regroup following a sobering opening defeat to the United States, Trinidad and Tobago head coach Dwight Yorke is optimistic that his players will respond with purpose as they prepare for a crucial Concacaf Gold Cup showdown against Haiti on Thursday.

Yorke, who is leading a relatively young Soca Warriors squad into this year’s tournament, didn’t mince words about the quality gap exposed in their 5-0 loss to the Americans, but remains resolute in his belief that his players can rise to the occasion in their remaining Group D matches.

"Although I will back my players all the way to the very end... when you are playing at the international level, you have to be at a certain level... we were not in the races, and it gives us an indication of the gap at the international level and where some of my players are playing at the moment,” Yorke said in his assessment.

Despite the harsh lesson, Yorke remains focused on the path forward. With both Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti looking to rebound after opening-round defeats, the stakes are clear for Thursday’s encounter, as both teams require a win or face a potential early exit. Haiti lost 1-0 to Saudi Arabia.

"We need to put that loss behind us very quickly because there are two more games to go. Certainly we have to win maximum points against Haiti, and that will be the intention going forward," Yorke declared.

The former Manchester United striker acknowledged the challenge his side faces, especially given the relative inexperience of several players, but views the tournament as a vital learning curve.

"This is a learning experience for my team; they are relatively young. The level that some of these players are playing at, you are asking them to step up from the level that they are at to international football. This was an eye-opener for us, and we got some work to be done," the tactician noted.

The coming days will be pivotal as Yorke and his technical staff aim to adjust tactics, rebuild confidence, and spark a more aggressive mentality. With three points on the line and their Gold Cup hopes hanging in the balance, the Haiti fixture presents not just a chance for redemption but also a test of character.

"We know there is still a lot of work to be done, and we will continue to work and try and close that gap as best as possible. But it’s a clear indication that there is still a lot of work ahead of us to do," York said.