ST.JOHN'S Antigua, March 3rd 2011 - The Antigua and Barbuda based professional soccer team the Antigua Barracudas have invited two players from St. Kitts (Olando Mitchum and Dionis Stevens) to participate in trials over the period March 4th to 6th in Antigua.

The Barracudas are currently registered to play in the United Soccer League (USL)  the American Pro league (rated just below the  MLS) and at the moment are looking to strengthen their ranks.

An initial squad of 52 will be cut down to 35 on the weekend then those players will be invited back for a second trial to reduce the 35 to the season’s squad of 25. Based on the USL the Barracuda can only register seven players who do not hail from Antigua and already several players from the around the region have shown interest.

In a closed stadium affair and unknown to most of the players the St. Kitts national team engaged a league select team in a scrimmage in front of the Antiguan scouts. At the end of the affair, the left side mid fielder Stevens and Olando Mitchum known as a midfield general were invited to Antigua. Stevens was not on the national senior squad but is a member of the national U 20 team.

Both have good chances to get into the squad of 25 as Olando Mitchum is highly rated and Stevens being a left footer fills a void of natural left footers in their squad.

The preparation is expected to be tense as the Barracudas are only 6 weeks away from their first home game to be played at the Sticky Wicket in Antigua on April 18 against Los Angeles Blues.