Puerto Rico national football team
Nickname(s) | El Huracán Azul (The Blue Hurricane) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol | ||
Confederation | CONCACAF (North America) | ||
Sub-confederation | CFU (Caribbean) | ||
Head coach | Dave Sarachan | ||
Captain | Nicolás Cardona | ||
Most caps | Héctor Ramos (36) | ||
Top scorer | Héctor Ramos (18) | ||
Home stadium | Estadio Centroamericano | ||
FIFA code | PUR | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 153 1 (24 October 2024)[1] | ||
Highest | 97 (March 1994) | ||
Lowest | 202 (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) |
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.
History
1940–1990
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)
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]
1995–2007
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]
2008–2015
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.
2016–2017
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]
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]
2018
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 image
Kit suppliers
Provider | Period |
---|---|
Joma | 2018– |
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
2021
January 19 Friendly | Dominican Republic | 0–1 | Puerto Rico | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
17:00 (UTC−4) | Rivera 45+1' (pen.) | Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez Referee: Randy Encarnación (Dominican Republic) |
January 22 Friendly | Guatemala | 1–0 | Puerto Rico | Guatemala City, Guatemala |
16:00 (UTC−4) | Lom 67' | Stadium: Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores Referee: Bryan López (Guatemala) |
March 24 2022 FWCQ | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 1–0 | Puerto Rico | San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic |
16:00 UTC−4 | Nelson 42' | Report | Stadium: Estadio Panamericano Referee: Randy Encarnacion Solano (Dominican Republic) |
March 28 2022 FWCQ | Puerto Rico | 1–1 | Trinidad and Tobago | Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
17:00 UTC−4 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Mayagüez Athletics Stadium Referee: Adonai Escobedo (Mexico) |
June 2 2022 FWCQ | Puerto Rico | 7–0 | Bahamas | Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
19:30 UTC−4 | Report | Stadium: Mayagüez Athletics Stadium Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
June 8 2022 FWCQ | Guyana | 0–2 | Puerto Rico | Georgetown, Guyana |
16:00 UTC−4 | Report | Stadium: Georgetown Football Stadium Referee: Ismael Cornejo Meléndez (El Salvador) |
Coaching staff
- As of 14 March 2021.[15]
Role | Name | Since |
---|---|---|
Sporting director | ||
Head coach | Dave Sarachan | 24 February 2021[16] |
Assistant coach | Daryl Shore | |
Goalkeeping coach | Sebastián Uranga |
Coaching history
- Eduardo Ordóñez Munguira (1959)
- Raúl Marchant González (1966)
- Egberto Morales Carrasco (1972, Interim 1974 Second Game World Cup qualifier.)
- / Luis Villarejo (1974–1975)
- Carlos Martinolli (1978–1979)
- Joe Serralta (1979–1982)
- Juan "Saso" Tullier (1982–1984)
- Ricardo "Richie" Romano (1985–1990)
- Víctor Hugo Barros (1990–1991)
- Arnie Ramirez (1992)
- Oscar Rosa (1992)
- Cristóbal Vaccaro (1996)
- José Luis "Majo" Rodríguez (1999)
- Raimundo Gatinho (2000)
- Toribio Rojas (2002–2003)
- Víctor Hugo Barros (2004)
- Colin Clarke (2007–2011)
- Jack Stefanowski (2011, interim)
- Adrian Whitbread (2011)
- Jeaustin Campos (2011–2013)
- Víctor Hugo Barros (2013–2014)
- Jose Martinez (2015, interim)
- Carlos Avedissian (2015–2016)
- Jack Stefanowski (2016, interim)
- Carlos García Cantarero (2016–2018)
- Amado Guevara (2018–2019)
- Elgy Morales (2019–2021)[17]
- Dave Sarachan (2021–)
Players
Current squad
The following 30 players were called up to the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bahamas and Guyana on 2 and 8 June 2021, respectively.[18][19]
- Caps and goals correct as of 8 June 2021 after the match against Guyana.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Ángel Molinari | 18 July 2000 | 3 | 0 | Westchester United FC |
18 | GK | Joel Serrano | 17 May 1999 | 2 | 0 | Chicago House AC |
12 | GK | Johan Rodríguez | 0 | 0 | FC Delco | |
2 | DF | Darren Ríos | 14 October 1995 | 11 | 0 | FC Miami City |
15 | DF | Rodolfo Sulia | 8 August 2002 | 8 | 0 | Chicago House AC |
- | DF | Joshua Calderón | 11 September 1996 | 7 | 0 | Unattached |
3 | DF | Nicolás Cardona (captain) | 11 February 1999 | 6 | 0 | Hartford Athletic |
23 | DF | Giovanni Padrón | 15 April 1998 | 5 | 1 | Nashville Knights FC |
21 | DF | Daniel Rosario | 10 April 2002 | 5 | 0 | Orlando City B |
20 | DF | Giovanni Calderón | 8 February 2002 | 3 | 0 | Navy |
14 | DF | Jan Mateo | 31 January 2003 | 3 | 0 | Oriente Petrolero |
- | DF | Callum Stretch | 19 September 1999 | 2 | 0 | Ocean City Nor'easters |
5 | DF | Zarek Valentin | 6 August 1991 | 2 | 0 | Houston Dynamo |
- | DF | Colby Quiñones | 14 April 2003 | 0 | 0 | New England Revolution II |
13 | MF | Gerald Díaz | 23 March 1999 | 12 | 2 | Bayamón |
6 | MF | Juan O'Neill | 12 July 1998 | 10 | 0 | Unattached |
11 | MF | Devin Vega | 28 December 1998 | 8 | 2 | Unattached |
10 | MF | Isaac Angking | 24 January 2000 | 6 | 2 | Unattached |
19 | MF | Jaden Servania | 16 July 2001 | 6 | 1 | Birmingham Legion FC |
4 | MF | Raúl González | 23 September 1994 | 6 | 0 | Memphis 901 |
- | MF | Ryan López | 12 April 1998 | 3 | 0 | Cleveland SC |
16 | MF | Jordan Saling | 15 March 1996 | 1 | 0 | Flower City Union |
- | MF | Gadiel Santiago | 0 | 0 | Unattached | |
9 | FW | Ricardo Rivera | 17 April 1997 | 13 | 4 | Union Omaha |
- | FW | Sidney Rivera | 15 November 1993 | 10 | 3 | Doxa SC |
7 | FW | Wilfredo Rivera | 14 October 2003 | 6 | 0 | Orlando City |
- | FW | Alec Díaz | 7 December 2001 | 5 | 0 | Tacoma Defiance |
17 | FW | Kevin Hernández | 8 July 1999 | 5 | 0 | Unattached |
8 | FW | Lester Hayes | 19 September 1993 | 2 | 1 | Middelfart Boldklub |
22 | FW | Eli Carr | 1 January 2001 | 2 | 0 | Longwood Lancers |
Recent call-ups
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 | Cody Laurendi | 15 August 1988 | 9 | 0 | Retired | v. Trinidad and Tobago, 28 March 2021 |
DF | Reid Strain | 4 January 1994 | 2 | 0 | Friska Viljor FC | v. Dominican Republic, 19 January 2021 WD |
DF | José Luis Rivera | 0 | 0 | Peña Deportiva | v. Dominican Republic, 19 January 2021 WD
WD}} | |
MF | Thomas Rodríguez VanBuskirk | 0 | 0 | Unattached | v. Saint Kitts and Nevis, 24 March 2021 | |
MF | Lucas Arzán | 25 July 1999 | 1 | 0 | F.A. Euro | v. Guatemala, 22 January 2021 |
MF | Anders Iversen | 22 July 1999 | 0 | 0 | Holstebro Boldklub | v. Guatemala, 22 January 2021 |
FW | Jensen Liquet | 0 | 0 | Unattached | v. Saint Kitts and Nevis, 24 March 2021 | |
FW | Alex Oikkonen | October 15, 1994 | 11 | 2 | OTP | v. Dominican Republic, 19 January 2021 WD |
FW | Leandro Antonetti | 0 | 0 | Polvorín | v. Dominican Republic, 19 January 2021 WD | |
INJ = Injury |
Records
- As of 28 March 2021
- Players in bold are still active with Puerto Rico.
Most capped players
|
Top goalscorers
|
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup 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 | 8 | |||||||||
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 | 59 |
CONCACAF Gold Cup
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 | ||||||||
Total | 0/26 |
CONCACAF Nations League
CONCACAF Nations League record | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Division | Group | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | RK |
2019–20 | C | C | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 35th | |
2022–23 | C | To be determined | ||||||||
Total | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 35th |
CFU Caribbean Cup
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 Games
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 | ||||||||
Total | Round 2 | 1/18 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
See also
- Puerto Rico national under-20 football team
- Puerto Rico national under-17 football team
- Football in Puerto Rico
References
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ VOCERO, Yamaira Muñiz Pérez, EL. "Se rejuvenece el Huracán Azul". El Vocero de Puerto Rico. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c "Puerto Rico – List of International Matches". rsssf.com. Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (February 2001). "Now You See Him". Soccer Digest. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
- ^ "Primerahora.com". primerahora.com. GFR Media LLC. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Puerto Rico cae en reñido amistoso ante USA". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "India 4–1 Puerto Rico". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Reñido empate ante Indonesia". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "La Selección se activa en beneficio de reconstrucción de Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Kaká jugará su último partido contra Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "Cae Puerto Rico 6–1 ante Orlando City SC". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Torres, Publicado por Javier. "FPF anuncia salida de los técnicos nacionales". Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Mayor Masculna". fedefutbolpr.com. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ Torres, Javier. "Listo Puerto Rico rumbo a Qatar 2022 bajo Dave Sarachan". El Huracán Azul Puerto Rico.
- ^ "Puerto Rico – E. Morales – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Huracán Azul completó primer entrenamiento con Sarachan". 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Futbolistas puertorriqueños llegan a suelo dominicano". 12 March 2021.
External links
- Official website (in Spanish)
- Puerto Rico FIFA profile
- Puerto Rico List of International Matches at RSSSF.com