Trinidad also has an experienced coach in Leo Beenhakker, who coached at top European clubs such as Ajax of Amsterdam and Real Madrid, as well as leading the Netherlands to the second round in the 1990 World Cup.

After taking over the Soca Warriors in March 2005, Beenhakker helped the team regroup from a slow start in qualifying. After tying Bahrain at home, T and T won 1-0 on the road on Dennis Lawrence's goal to advance to the World Cup.

"In the past we were weak defensively, so we'd score two or three but lose three or four," Latapy said. "Leo has brought us a stability on defense without taking a way our flair. If we can score goals, we'll protect the goal, too."

Trinidad is the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, with a population of 1.3 million that is similar to that of San Diego and an area of 1,980 square miles that is about the size of Delaware.

The former British colony was granted independence in 1962 and joined FIFA two years later. After coming close to qualifying for the 1974 World Cup, Trinidad appeared poised to go to the 1990 tournament in Italy.

Needing just a tie at home against the United States on the final day of qualifying, Trinidad was stunned when Paul Caliguiri scored from about 30 yards in the 31st minute for the only goal of the game, sending the Americans to their first World Cup since 1950.

"It was a very difficult time," said Latapy, who along with Yorke are the only players left from that team. "Now we're taking that out of our system. It's been hard all these years. This is the light at the end of the tunnel. We've been aspiring for this shot for a long time. It was tough, really. But we're focused on the future and not the past."

Associated Press Writer Adam Raney in Port of Spain, Trinidad, contributed to this report.