The 14th staging of the annual Caribbean Cup, one of the Tri-State area’s most competitive soccer tournaments, is set to kick off on Sunday, June 12, and organizers are promising that it will be bigger and better than ever. At a recent press conference to announce plans for this season, Caribbean Cup president, Fred Ballantine stated that following the good crowd support the competition enjoyed in 2004, the second year at the Jefferson High School field in Spring Creek, Brooklyn, they were looking forward to an even greater turnout of fans. “Last year we had good reception at the Jefferson field. More teams want to play, so maybe next year we have to look at expanding and playing games at Jefferson and at our old field,” he said. Ballantine also welcomed first-time entrants Dominica, who will be seeking to make their mark among the teams vying for the Cup. “With the addition of Dominica, we will have excellent representation from the Windward Islands,” said Ballantine. Caribbean Cup Inc.’s director of operations, Curtis Chance outlined special events for this year, which include visits from Jamaica’s 2004 championship team, Tivoli Gardens, as well as a team from Florida. “We see this as a great opportunity for Caribbean Cup players to match skills with people from other areas, and to show how well we are doing.” Chance also spoke of plans to expand the league in the future, and of the need for a Hall of Fame to recognize the talent of New York-based Caribbean players. “We intend to make the Caribbean Cup the best championship in the Tri-State, if not the entire U.S.,” said Chance Competing in the tournament are teams from Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Kitts/Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, and newcomers, Dominica. The opening day events will begin with a march past of representatives of all teams, with the first match, Guyana vs. St. Kitts/Nevis, scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. and the feature game, defending champions Grenada vs. Dominica at 6:00 p.m. Play in the Caribbean Cup 2005 begins on Sunday June 12 at the Jefferson High School field, Flatlands and Shepherd avenues in Brooklyn and continues every Sunday through Labor Day weekend. Ticket prices are $7 for the first round, $10 for the semis and $15 for the finals For more information, call 718.859.7300 or 646.879.5732