Guatemala and Haiti face off at Tropical Park Stadium next week
August 10, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, FL- The national teams from Guatemala and Haiti will face off in a challenging international friendly next week at Tropical Park Stadium. The game will take place on Wednesday, August 16 at 8:00 PM.
For Guatemala, this game marks the beginning of a new era, under Head Coach, Hernan Dario Gomez. "El Bolillo" has been in four World Cups, including France 1998 (as Head Coach of Colombia), and Japan-Korea 2002 (as Head Coach of Ecuador).
Guatemala was a small step away from qualifying to the 2006 World Cup, and they are moving in a new direction with the determination of making qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
Gomez has already announced the 18 players that will take part in the match against the Caribbean squad: Luis Pedro Molina, Ricardo Foster, Carlos Quiñónez, Néstor MartÃnez Norales, Elmer Ponciano, Ãngel Sanabria, Gustavo Cabrera, Henry Medina, Pablo Melgar, Héctor Saúl de Matta, Freddy Thompson, José Manuel Contreras, Guillermo RamÃrez, Gonzalo Romero, Edwin Villatoro, Carlos Ruiz, Hernán Sandoval and Miami FC forward, Mario Rodriguez.
In this line up, the biggest star is Carlos Ruiz. "El Pescado" is one of the best players in history of Guatemalan soccer and currently plays for FC Dallas in the MLS. He has been among the top goal scorers in the last two CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.
Miami FC's own, "El Loco" Rodriguez has expressed happiness after learning that he was called to the match against the Haitians. "It's always an honor to be on the National Team. Especially when a new process begins because it means that there are new expectations," said Rodriguez.
In addition, the Haiti National Team has also called Miami FC defenders Stephane Guillaume and Jamil Jean-Jacques to battle against "los chapÃnes". Also playing for Haiti in this game will be Pierre Jean Jacques, from French side, Nantes; Fabrice Noel from the Colorado Rapids of the MLS; and Jerod Laventure of the New York Red Bulls.
If you would like to purchase tickets, call 1-866- 57MIAMI or visit www.miamifc.com .
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