Copa Latina 2011 Underway
Published on February 15, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, FL (FEBRUARY 14, 2011) - The first two days of the 2011 Copa Latina has concluded as the first weekend of soccer has been completed. The games were held this past weekend in the heart of Hialeah at Ted Hendricks Stadium and will continue next weekend.
"This weekend's games were excitement-packed to nobody's surprise," states Tom Mulroy. "It's great to see the area's best amateur soccer talent be displayed in front of thousand's to witness."
Honduras 5 Star 3- Caracas 1
The three-time defending champions Honduras Cinco Estrellas played Caracas FC in front of an imposing crowd. The first half was action-packed as it included Caracas taking advantage in the first 15 minutes of the match. Daniel Murrilo came close to scoring in the 5th minute with a shot that just missed the cross bar. Cinco Estrellas came shortly thereafter and took advantage of crisp passing to create several chances to score. Orlando Bueso finally broke the Caracas FC defense with a goal in the 23rd minute. The score would remain 1 - 0 at the end of the first half. Caracas FC would threaten before the end of the half with a few close attempts on goal but none crossing the plane. The match took a different tone with the start of the second half. Jose Paz equalized for Caracas FC. Cinco Estrealls had an instant reply for Caracas FC with a goal from Diego Serna in the 68th minute. Cinco Estrellas continued their attacking style of play and scored again in the 71st minute courtesy of a strike from Wilmer Velasquez. This proved to put the match out of reach for Caracas FC with the match ending 3 - 1.
New Life Brazil 2- Guatemala FC 1
Day two of Copa Latina commenced with a match between New Life Brazil vs Guatemala FC. Within the first t minutes, Mario Ferros sprang into action with two shots on goal. Eduardo Ferreira, Marcos Fernandes, and Anderson Neto all came close with their shots at goal during the first half. Within the last minutes of the half, the fans in attendance witnessed the first Copa Kick as Eduardo Ferreira of New Life Brazil scored on a well placed shot into the lower left corner if the net.
The second half began with New Life Brazil a goal ahead of Guatemala FC. In the 58th minute, New Life Brazil notched another goal with a driven shot from Eduardo Pletz. After, Guatemala FC saw hope when New Life's Shawn Wilson committed a dangerous foul in the area. Josep Sagarray scored from the spot to get Guatemala FC on the board. The last 15 minutes were action-filled for both sides with Guatemala's Jefrey Diaz coming close in the 85th minute with his shot going inches over the crossbar.
Collier Mexico 2- BFUT Brazil 1
The match between BFUT Brasil and Collier Mexico took shape early after kick-off as Mexico was awarded a penalty in the 8th minute. Miguel Gutierrez scored from the spot with a left-footed placement into the corner. The Brazilian squad made several attempts on goal as Sidley Sepalla and Paulo Vaz came close in the 13th and 14th minute with a driven shot and powerful header.
BFUT Brasil got on the board with an own goal in the 24th minute. Within minutes, Beaudelaire Bayer mistimed the flight of the ball to allow Collier Mexico to level the score. The rest of the half was an even affair but the dead lock was finally broken after Collier was awarded a Copa Kick which was converted by Miguel Gutierrez, marking his second goal of the match.
The second half began with the Brazilian squad making several attempts on net. Giusseppe Rinaldo courageously tried a long distance lob in the 63rd minute. The Mexican squad had their own effort thwarted in the 76th minute when Abraham Urbina's left footed shot was saved. BFUT Brasil made the best of their attempts in the 88th minute from Ronaldo Costa. The game ended in fury as Sidley Sepalla saw his Copa kick sail above the crossbar.
Uruguay Broward 5 - Honduras Aguilas 1
The afternoon match was played between Last year's runner-up Uruguay Broward and Honduras Aguilas. The Uruguayans wasted no time after Elvin Bustillo notched their first goal within the opening minute of kick-off. Matias Carrizo of Uruguay came close in the 14th minute with his half-volley shot sailing over the crossbar. However, Carrizo made up for his effort by marking goal in the 17th minute. Uruguay continued to attack the Honduran defense with their third goal coming in the 36th minute courtesy of Ruben Rosano. Several minutes later, Hestromber Valladares made an attempt of hope for Honduras with a Copa Kick. Yet, Honduras could not stop Uruguay from scoring their fourth goal of the match as the Uruguayans were awarded a Copa Kick of their own during extra time of the first half.
The second half continued with Uruguay Broward attacking from the onset. Raul Vitchez's shot hit the side post in the 68th minute. To mark the scoreboard five ahead, Paulo Carrizo scored again for Uruguay in the 75th minute as he made a well placed shot from within twelve-yard box. Honduran midfielder, Hestromber Valladares, was unlucky as his Copa Kick hit the crossbar in the 81st minute.
The game festivities ended with a celebratory note with a marriage proposal from Raul Vilchez to his girlfriend. The final score was 5-1.
Blues Star Honduras 4 - Jamaica Internaxional 0
First year entry Blue Star Honduras showed they have the ability to contend with the other strong Honduran teams as they dismantled a strong Jamaica Internaxionale team 4-0 on February 13, 2011 at Ted Hendricks Stadium.
In the opening minutes of the match Horacio Parham had a near goal as his chip shot from 15 yards out was miraculously saved by the Jamaican keeper.
Honduras continued to press the Jamican defense until in the 25th min Amado Varela out maneuvered the 3 defenders and was tackled in the box. Parham gave Blue Star a 1-0 lead with a simple finish from the penalty spot. After. Mere seconds later a cross from Varela falls to the feet of Parham and he powered it into the top netting to give Blue Star a 2-0 lead.
Constant pressure and possession gave Blue Star a 2-0 lead into the half.
In the second half Jamaica began to get more opportunities on goal. In the 23 min Internaxionale fail to convert good passing in the box as Adrian Brown's shot was just pushed out by the keeper.
In the end Blue Star was simply too strong for the Jamaican side as Osman Ramos received a cross from Parham and powered it pass the keeper for a 3-0 lead.
Honduras topped off their scoring when a well placed through ball was received by Varela and his shot was deflected by the keeper but Marvin Brown cleaned up the rebound and tapped it in to the back of the net.
Roma Honduras 4- Guatemala 1
The final match of the second day of Copa Latina was between the no. 2 seed Roma Honduras and Seleccion Guatemala. The action started early in the 3rd minute of thee match when Meller Sanchez sent a dangerous cross into the box which Edwin Melendez got a header and tallied the first goal of the night. Seleccion responded quickly thereafter when Nelson Lino ripped a violent shot over the cross bar. This was the only pressure from Seleccion in the first half as just 12 minutes later Roma's Geovany Lopera broke through Seleccion's offside trap to finish calmly in the back of the net. Roma got one more before the half as Seleccion was assessed its 7th foul and Lopera neatly placed the Copa kick in the back of the net. In the second half, Seleccion came out with non-stop attacks and were able to pull one back as an impressive combo play in the box lead to a Gerson Galo goal. Seleccion further increased their chances to equalize as they were awarded a Copa kick in the 60th minute. Mauricio Suarez lined up for the kick and sent it over the cross bar. Roma proved to be far more superior in the end as Miguel Meza notched the teams 3rd goal with and easy breakaway finish past the keeper.
North American Soccer League Stories from February 15, 2011
- Copa Latina 2011 Underway - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- 2011 Season Tickets Now Available - Montreal Impact
- FC Tampa Bay Announces Former Timbers and Silverbacks Captain David Hayes as Assistant Coach - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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