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Puerto Rico national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Puerto Rico women's national football team.

The Puerto Rico national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Puerto Rico) represents Puerto Rico in men's international football, and are governed by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (FPF). The team's nickname is El Huracán Azul meaning The Blue Hurricane.[3] They are members of the Caribbean Football Union, and part of CONCACAF. The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Puerto Rico
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)El Huracán Azul
(The Blue Hurricane)
Los Boricuas
(The Boricuas)
AssociationFederación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
ConfederationCONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederationCFU (Caribbean)
Head coachCharlie Trout
CaptainRicardo Rivera
Most capsHéctor Ramos (36)
Top scorerHéctor Ramos (18)
Home stadiumEstadio Centroamericano
FIFA codePUR
First colors
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 166 Increase 4 (6 April 2023)[1]
Highest97 (March 1994)
Lowest202 (November 2004)
First international
 Cuba 1–1 Puerto Rico 
(Havana, Cuba; 12 November 1940)
Biggest win
 Puerto Rico 9–0 Saint Martin 
(Port-au-Prince, Haiti; 9 September 2012)
Biggest defeat
 Netherlands Antilles 15–0 Puerto Rico 
(Caracas, Venezuela; 15 January 1959)

HistoryEdit

1940–1990Edit

Puerto Rico's first international match was against Cuba in 1940 in which they drew 1–1. They did not record a win until a 3–0 result in 1970 against the Bahamas. In 1972, Puerto Rico recorded a 1–0 win against Panama in a friendly. Wins between the 1980s and 1990s were mainly against the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Martinique.[4]

Chris Armas years (1993–1994)Edit

Chris Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup. In the tournament, Puerto Rico established a 4-game win streak without conceding a goal.[4] The competition was not then recognized by FIFA, and so his five matches were considered friendlies. As a result, he was later allowed to switch his allegiance to the United States,[5] for whom he has since been capped over 50 times.[citation needed]

1995–2007Edit

Between 1995 and 2007 Puerto Rico did not record a win, and had only four draws. During this time, the team dropped down in the FIFA Rankings to 202nd.[4]

2008–2015Edit

 
Puerto Rico (in blue) playing Spain in 2012.

Over the past few years, Puerto Rico has begun to emerge as a contender, like they were in the 1990s. In 2008, they won two games as visitors against Bermuda (1–0 and 2–0), drew 2–2 with Trinidad and Tobago. They also won for the first time since 1994 when they beat the Dominican Republic in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers. Although they lost the first leg 4–0 to Honduras, they fought a 2–2 tie in the home leg in the second round. The Puerto Rican Football Federation has announced plans that would allow them to participate in the next editions of the Caribbean Cup and Gold Cup.[6] Most capped player Andres Cabrero is the only active player as of 2021 who participated in said 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Puerto Rico was supposed to make their debut in the 21st Central American and Caribbean Games in 2010 on home soil in Mayagüez, but due to the controversy of CONCACAF not approving the stadiums, the team couldn't compete in the football event. The team was supposed to play in Venezuela instead but due to the lack of teams, the male event was canceled.[7]

Puerto Rico faced World and European champion Spain in a friendly on 15 August 2012, losing 2–1 in the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

On 5 June 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against Bermuda, their last friendly before the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup ending in a 1–1 draw. After losing to Grenada 2–1 in the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Puerto Rico's Interim coach Jose 'Cukito' Martinez resigned and a few days later, the Uruguayan Carlos Avedissian solved his visa problems and could finally arrive as the head coach of the national team. On 11 December 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against MLS team New York City, losing 2–1.

2016–2017Edit

Carlos Avedissian / Jack Stefanowski eraEdit

Carlos Avedissian took charge of the team in 2015 forming a roster mainly of players from the Puerto Rico local leagues. On 22 May 2016, Puerto Rico played a friendly match against the United States for the first time ever ending in a 3–1 loss.[8] For discrepancies with the Federation, Avedissian was substituted by Jack Stefanowski for the second round on an interim basis. With this team mainly of local players, Puerto Rico advanced for the first time to the third round of the 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification when they defeated Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda in the second round, only two games away from reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time. Stefanowski had to leave the technical director position because he was an assistant for Puerto Rico FC.[citation needed]

On 3 September 2016, Puerto Rico faced India for the first time in an international friendly match at the Mumbai Football Arena, but were defeated in the contest 1–4.[9]

Carlos García Cantarero eraEdit

After Stefanowski left the team to continue with Puerto Rico FC, Carlos Cantarero assumed as head coach of the national team with Jose Cukito Martinez (who had coached most of the local players in the Puerto Rico League) as assistant coach. The team played three friendlies, two against the Dominican Republic and one against India, prior to the third round matches against Antigua and Barbuda and Curaçao. Coach Cantarero couldn't coach in the friendlies due to visa problems. After the second friendly against the Dominican Republic Assistant Coach Martinez left the team prior to the trip to India and David Guillemat assumed the position. Regardless of the administrative debacle, and coaching changes, Puerto Rico lost the decisive match against Curaçao after being 2–0 up front for which Curaçao as head of group advanced to the Gold Cup.

Puerto Rico didn't play an international match until the summer of 2017 when they played to a scoreless draw against Indonesia.[10]

After the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September that left the entire island powerless. On 7 October it was reported MLS club, Orlando City SC announced a Fuerza Puerto Rico’ Friendly for 4 November with all the net proceeds from the match going towards the United for Puerto Rico initiative to raise funds and aid recovery efforts for the island. Reactivating the national team for a 3rd time this year.[11] The friendly marked Orlando City’s last game of 2017, as well team captain, Kaká with the lions.[12] Puerto Rico lost the exhibition match 6–1.[13]

2018Edit

In May 2018, the Puerto Rican Football Federation announced that Carlos Cantarero would no longer continue as head coach of the national team, with former Honduran player Amado Guevara taking over as head coach.[14]

Team imageEdit

Kit suppliersEdit

Provider Period
  Joma 2018–

Results and fixturesEdit

Main article: Puerto Rico national football team schedule and results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2022Edit

June 9 Nations League Cayman Islands   0–3   Puerto Rico George Town, Cayman Islands
18:00 UTC−5 Report
  • Angking   23', 64' (pen.)
  • Valentin   84'
 Stadium: Truman Bodden Sports Complex
Referee: Sergio Reyna (Guatemala)
June 12 Nations League Puerto Rico   6–0   British Virgin Islands Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
18:00 UTC−4
Report Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano
Referee: Germán Martínez (El Salvador)

2023Edit

March 23 Nations League British Virgin Islands   1–3   Puerto Rico Road Town, British Virgin Islands
16:00 UTC−4 T. Forbes   36' (pen.) Report
Stadium: A. O. Shirley Recreation Ground
Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada)
March 26 Nations League Puerto Rico   5–1   Cayman Islands Bayamón, Puerto Rico
 Report
Stadium: Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel
June 17 Gold Cup qualification Suriname   v   Puerto Rico Fort Lauderdale, United States
19:00 UTC−4 Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium

Coaching staffEdit

As of 16 May 2022.[15]
Role Name Since
Sporting director   Andrew Mojica
Head coach   Dave Sarachan 24 February 2021[16]
Assistant coach   Daryl Shore
Goalkeeping coach   Bradley Ospina

Coaching historyEdit

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

PlayersEdit

Current squadEdit

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Joel Serrano (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 24) 5 0 Unattached
18 1GK Sebastián Cutler (2003-05-20) 20 May 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Charlotte 49ers
2 2DF Giovanni Calderón (2002-02-08) 8 February 2002 (age 21) 4 0   Cal State Fullerton Titans
4 2DF Rodolfo Sulia (2002-08-08) 8 August 2002 (age 20) 11 0   Fort Wayne
3 3MF Darren Ríos (1995-10-14) 14 October 1995 (age 27) 15 1   Sporting Miami
6 3MF Juan O'Neill (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 (age 24) 12 0 Unattached
8 3MF Christopher Dilan (1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 (age 24) 3 0   Nona
10 3MF Sidney Paris (2002-04-26) 26 April 2002 (age 21) 2 0   Wake Forest Demon Deacons
12 3MF Beto Ydrach (2001-05-26) May 26, 2001 (age 22) 4 0   UCF Knights
13 3MF Gerald Díaz (1999-03-23) 23 March 1999 (age 24) 16 3   Buñol
15 3MF Devin Vega (1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 (age 24) 10 3   Des Moines Menace
5 4FW Samuel Robinson Unknown 1 0 Unattached
7 4FW Jan Mateo (2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 (age 20) 3 0   Bayamón
9 4FW Ricardo Rivera (1997-04-17) 17 April 1997 (age 26) 16 8   Buñol
11 4FW Leandro Antonetti (2003-01-01) January 1, 2003 (age 20) 4 1   Lugo
14 4FW Joel Burgos (1999-10-29) 29 October 1999 (age 23) 2 2   Verdes
16 4FW Dante Williams Unknown 0 0   Oregon State Beavers
17 3MF Ian Silva (2004-11-06) November 6, 2004 (age 18) 2 1   Orlando City B

Recent call-upsEdit

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Sebastián Uranga (1990-09-16) 16 September 1990 (age 32) 0 0   Metropolitan v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
GK Aurie Echevarría (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 21) 0 0   Fort Wayne v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
DF Nicolás Cardona (1999-02-11) 11 February 1999 (age 24) 8 1   Chattanooga Red Wolves v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
DF Zarek Valentin (1991-08-06) 6 August 1991 (age 31) 4 1   Minnesota United v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
DF Colby Quiñones (2003-04-14) 14 April 2003 (age 20) 2 0   New England Revolution II v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
DF Parker O'Ferral (2003-12-18) December 18, 2003 (age 19) 0 0   North Carolina Tar Heels v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
DF Diego Rossi (2005-05-19) 19 May 2005 (age 18) 0 0   Parma v.   Cayman Islands, 9 June 2022 WD
MF Isaac Angking (2000-01-24) 24 January 2000 (age 23) 7 4   Santa Cruz FC v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
MF Brian Flores (2003-08-25) 25 August 2003 (age 19) 1 0   New York City FC II v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
MF Alejandro Silvestrini (2005-06-26) 26 June 2005 (age 17) 0 0   Argentinos Juniors v.   Cayman Islands, 9 June 2022 PRE
MF Jordan Saling (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 (age 27) 2 0 Retired v.   Cayman Islands, 9 June 2022 PRE
FW Jaden Servania (2001-07-16) 16 July 2001 (age 21) 8 1   North Carolina v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
FW Wilfredo Rivera (2003-10-14) 14 October 2003 (age 19) 8 0   Orlando City v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
FW Alec Díaz (2001-12-07) 7 December 2001 (age 21) 7 0   Toronto FC II v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
FW Kevin Hernandez (1999-07-17) 17 July 1999 (age 23) 7 0   Club de Lyon v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
FW Lester Hayes III (1993-09-19) 19 September 1993 (age 29) 3 1   Middelfart v.   Cayman Islands, 12 June 2022
FW Jeremy de León (2004-03-18) 18 March 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Castellón v.   Cayman Islands, 9 June 2022 WD
Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team
  • SUS = Serving suspension
  • WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

RecordsEdit

As of 12 June 2022[19]
Players in bold are still active with Puerto Rico.

Competitive recordEdit

FIFA World CupEdit

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  1934
  1938
  1950
  1954
  1958
  1962 Did not enter Did not enter
  1966
  1970
  1974 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 12
  1978 Did not enter Did not enter
  1982
  1986 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 8
  1990 2 0 0 2 1 3
  1994 4 1 1 2 4 5
  1998 2 0 0 2 1 9
    2002 2 0 1 1 4 6
  2006 Did not enter Did not enter
  2010 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 3 6
  2014 6 2 3 1 8 4
  2018 2 1 0 1 1 2
  2022 4 2 1 1 10 2
      2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 29 7 7 15 32 57

CONCACAF Gold CupEdit

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1963 Did not enter
  1965
  1967
  1969
  1971
  1973
  1977
  1981
1985
1989
  1991 Did not qualify
    1993
  1996
  1998
  2000
  2002
    2003
  2005
  2007 Did not enter
  2009
  2011 Did not qualify
  2013
    2015
  2017
      2019
  2021
    2023 To be determined
Total 0/26

CONCACAF Nations LeagueEdit

CONCACAF Nations League record
Season League Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
  2019–20 C C 4 2 0 2 6 12   35th
  2022–23 C D 4 4 0 0 17 2   29th
Total 8 6 0 2 23 14 29th

CFU Caribbean CupEdit

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1978 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
  1979 Did not enter Did not enter
  1981 Fourth place 4th 3 0 1 2 1 9 Qualified as host
  1983 Did not enter Did not enter
  1985
  1988
  1989
  1990
  1991 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 3 6
  1992 Did not enter Did not enter
  1993 Group stage 6th 3 0 1 2 7 14 3 3 0 0 7 0
  1994 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 1 2
    1995 3 0 1 2 3 14
  1996 Did not enter Did not enter
    1997 Withdrew Withdrew
    1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 7
  1999 3 0 0 3 0 9
  2001 2 0 1 1 1 2
  2005 3 0 1 2 3 11
  2007 Did not enter Did not enter
  2008
  2010 Did not qualify 6 3 0 3 10 8
  2012 6 2 0 4 15 12
  2014 3 0 2 1 5 6
  2017 6 1 2 3 11 11
Total Fourth place 2/25 6 0 2 4 8 23 43 10 8 25 61 80

Pan American GamesEdit

Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1951 Did not enter
  1955
  1959
  1963
  1967
  1971
  1975
  1979 Round 2 5th 4 1 0 3 2 12
  1983 Did not enter
  1987
  1991
  1995
  1999
  2003 Did not qualify
  2007 Did not enter
  2011 Did not qualify
  2015
  2019
  2023
Total Round 2 1/19 4 1 0 3 2 12

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  3. ^ VOCERO, Yamaira Muñiz Pérez, EL. "Se rejuvenece el Huracán Azul". El Vocero de Puerto Rico. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Puerto Rico – List of International Matches". RSSSF. Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 31 January 2007. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  5. ^ Lewis, Michael (February 2001). "Now You See Him". Soccer Digest. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  6. ^ "Primerahora.com". primerahora.com. GFR Media LLC. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  7. ^ "Fútbol femenino arranca mañana en Venezuela | META MAYAGUEZ 2010". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  8. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Puerto Rico cae en reñido amistoso ante USA". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  9. ^ "India 4–1 Puerto Rico". Soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  10. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Reñido empate ante Indonesia". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  11. ^ "La Selección se activa en beneficio de reconstrucción de Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Kaká jugará su último partido contra Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  13. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Cae Puerto Rico 6–1 ante Orlando City SC". Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  14. ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "FPF anuncia salida de los técnicos nacionales". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Mayor Masculna". fedefutbolpr.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  16. ^ Torres, Javier. "Listo Puerto Rico rumbo a Qatar 2022 bajo Dave Sarachan". El Huracán Azul Puerto Rico. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Puerto Rico – E. Morales – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Charlie Trout Toma el Mando de la Seleccion Masculina en Puerto Rico de Cara a las Proxima Ventana de la Liga de Naciones" (in Spanish). Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Puerto Rico". National Football Teams.

External linksEdit

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