St. Lucia under-17 national team (pictured) will open Caribbean qualifying against Bermuda on July 20, 2016, in Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent & the Grenadines – The newest version of the St. Lucia under-17 team has big shoes to fill as it opens Caribbean qualifying for the 2017 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship on Wednesday.

Last year, it participated in the Confederation finals for the first time since 1988 after a fourth-place finish in the 2014 Caribbean championship. Although it ended up going winless in Honduras, a foundation for future success was laid.

The road to Panama 2017 starts with a first-round encounter against Bermuda at Victoria Park.

Talented defender Romario Lendor believes that St. Lucia will be able to deal with increased expectations because of the familiarity built among squad members.

“It’s a lot of pressure on us because the last team did very well,” he said. “We understand each other’s weaknesses and each other’s strengths, so we can play much better.

After facing Bermuda, the St. Lucians will take on Grenada (July 22). When the sides met in the 2015 Caribbean Under-15 Championship quarterfinals, St. Lucia earned a 4-0 on the strength of goals by Riquelme Sylvester (6’); Linus Clovis (13’, 35’) and Bryant Polius (23’) – all on the current roster.

An encounter with host St. Vincent & the Grenadines (July 24) will close Group 3 play. The first-place finisher – and possibly the runner-up -- will advance to September’s Caribbean finals in Trinidad & Tobago.

“This is the first round of the three-round process to qualify for the World Cup,” concluded Lendor. “This is the first leg and we’re planning to go all the way, so we’re looking to get three wins.”

ROSTER (alphabetical order)

Djal Augustin, Gabriel Biscette, Daniel Biscette, Atley Clovis, Linus Clovis, Aazah Daniel, Dillon Fanis, Gaius Geoffrey, Jardel Harrow, Simeon Honora, Tyrese Jeremie, Romario Lendor, Dilan Lucien, Bryant Polius, Sebastien Ribot, Deshawn Roserie, Riquelme Silvestre, Tarick Sonson, Morgan Williams, Toyan Williams