Wikipedia

Puerto Rico national football team

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
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
CaptainZarek Valentin
Most capsHéctor Ramos (36)
Top scorerHéctor Ramos & Ricardo Rivera (18)
Home stadiumEstadio Juan Ramón Loubriel
Estadio Centroamericano
FIFA codePUR
First colors
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 153 Increase 1 (24 October 2024)[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)

History

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1940–1990

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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)

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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

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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

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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 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games 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.

2016–2020

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Carlos Avedissian / Jack Stefanowski era

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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 era

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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]

Amado Guevara era

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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]

2020s

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On March 19, 2023, just days before the Nations League, the Puerto Rican Football Federation announced Charlie Trout as the new head coach of the national team.[15]

2022–23 Nations League

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In the second season of the CONCACAF Nations League, Puerto Rico would again be a part of the C-League. This time being inserted to Group D alongside the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. The team would go on to beat the British Islands 3–1[16] and then later beat the Cayman Islands 5–1. The team would go on to win the group stage, thus earning a Gold Cup prelims invitation and promotion into the B league for the next Nations league.

In the Gold Cup prelims, the team would draw against Suriname 0–0 and later winning in a penalty shootout 4–3.[17] In the second round of the prelims, Puerto Rico would face Martinique. The team would lose 2–0 and be eliminated from the tournament.[18]

Team image

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Kit sponsorship

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Kit supplier Period
  Joma 2018–2024
  Hummel 2024–

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Puerto Rico national football team 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

2023

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18 November 2023–24 Nations League Antigua and Barbuda   2–3   Puerto Rico Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda
15:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: ABFA Technical Center
Referee: Benjamin Whitty (Cayman Islands)
21 November 2023–24 Nations League Puerto Rico   6–1   Bahamas Bayamón, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
Referee: Steffon Dewar (Jamaica)

2024

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21 March Friendly Belize   1–1   Puerto Rico Belmopan, Belize
19:30 UTC−6 Stadium: FFB Stadium
24 March Friendly Belize   3–0   Puerto Rico Belmopan, Belize
18:00 UTC−6 Stadium: FFB Stadium
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification El Salvador   0–0   Puerto Rico San Salvador, El Salvador
20:30 UTC−6 Report Stadium: Estadio Cuscatlán
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Puerto Rico   8–0   Anguilla Bayamón, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)
6 September 2024–25 Nations League Puerto Rico   1–4   Haiti Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez
Referee: Filip Dujić (Canada)
9 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Aruba   0–1   Puerto Rico Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4 Report
Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez
Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts and Nevis)
11 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Sint Maarten   3–2   Puerto Rico Oranjestad, Aruba
16:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Trinidad Stadium
Attendance: 19
Referee: Benjamin Pineda (Costa Rica)
14 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Puerto Rico   2–1   Sint Maarten Oranjestad, Aruba
16:00 UTC−4
Report
Stadium: Trinidad Stadium
Referee: Moeth Gaymes (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
15 November 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Puerto Rico   v   Aruba Haiti
Stadium: TBD
18 November 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League Haiti   v   Puerto Rico Haiti
Stadium: TBD

2025

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6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Suriname   v   Puerto Rico Suriname
Stadium: TBD
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Puerto Rico   v   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Puerto Rico
Stadium: TBD

Coaching staff

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As of 23 June 2023.
Role Name Since
Sporting director   Steve McCullogh 14 January 2022
Head coach   Charlie Trout 19 March 2023
Assistant coach   Adekunle Adeleye 19 March 2023
Goalkeeping coach   Ritchie Marshall 19 March 2023

Coaching history

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Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for two 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B matches on 11 and 14 October 2024 against Sint Maarten.[20]

Caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2024, after the second match against   Sint Maarten.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Joel Serrano (1999-05-17) May 17, 1999 (age 25) 20 0   Academia Quintana
1GK Jean-Luc Fontana (2005-10-12) October 12, 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Granada
2DF Nicolás Cardona (1999-02-11) February 11, 1999 (age 25) 21 1   Miami FC
2DF Rodolfo Sulia (2002-08-08) August 8, 2002 (age 22) 19 2   Academia Quintana
2DF Colby Quiñones (2003-04-14) 14 April 2003 (age 21) 9 0   New England Revolution II
2DF Adrian Rosario (2007-04-12) April 12, 2007 (age 17) 3 0   Inter Miami Academy
2DF Marcos Villanueva (2006-03-29) March 29, 2006 (age 18) 2 0   UAlbany Great Danes men's soccer
3MF Gerald Díaz (1999-03-23) March 23, 1999 (age 25) 31 13   Academia Quintana
3MF Jaden Servania (2001-07-16) July 16, 2001 (age 23) 18 1   North Carolina FC
3MF Roberto Ydrach (2001-05-26) May 26, 2001 (age 23) 12 1   University of Akron
3MF Noeh Hernández (2004-12-09) December 9, 2004 (age 19) 9 0   DePaul University
3MF Steven Echevarria (1996-04-09) April 9, 1996 (age 28) 4 0   Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
3MF Sebastián Otero (2005-09-15) September 15, 2005 (age 19) 4 0   Inter Miami CF II
3MF Ignacio Antonetti (2008-02-02) February 2, 2008 (age 16) 3 0   SD Compostela Youth
3MF Jeymer Díaz (2005-06-21) 21 June 2005 (age 19) 2 0 Unattached
4FW Ricardo Rivera (1997-04-17) April 17, 1997 (age 27) 31 17   O&M
4FW Darren Ríos (1995-10-14) October 14, 1995 (age 29) 30 5   Naples United FC
4FW Wilfredo Rivera (2003-10-14) October 14, 2003 (age 21) 21 5   Orlando City B
4FW Alec Díaz (2001-12-07) December 7, 2001 (age 22) 10 1   Colorado Rapids 2
4FW Cristian Ortiz (2005-11-15) November 15, 2005 (age 19) 7 0   Inter Miami CF II
4FW Enrique Nieves (2003-10-23) October 23, 2003 (age 21) 4 0   Minnesota United 2

Recent call-ups

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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 Cutler (2003-05-20) May 20, 2003 (age 21) 3 0   Villanova University v.   Aruba, September 9, 2024
GK Anthony Martínez (2003-12-23) December 23, 2003 (age 20) 0 0   Stony Brook Seawolves v.   Bahamas, November 21, 2023 PRE
DF Zarek Valentin (1991-08-06) August 6, 1991 (age 33) 9 1   Minnesota United v.   Aruba, September 9, 2024
DF Sidney Paris (2002-04-26) April 26, 2002 (age 22) 9 0   Wake Forest University v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024 PRE
DF Ian Silva (2004-11-06) November 6, 2004 (age 20) 10 1   Gonzaga University v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024 PRE
DF Giovanni Calderón (2002-02-08) February 8, 2002 (age 22) 10 0   New England Revolution II v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024 PRE
DF Eitan Solomiany (2006-12-08) December 8, 2006 (age 17) 0 0   Bayamon FC v.   Bahamas, November 21, 2023 PRE
MF Adrián Biaggi (2005-04-13) April 13, 2005 (age 19) 5 0   Dayton University v.   Aruba, September 9, 2024
MF Benjamin Donato (2005-07-05) 5 July 2005 (age 19) 5 0   Stetson University v.   Aruba, September 9, 2024
MF Isaac Angking (2000-07-24) July 24, 2000 (age 24) 15 4   Rhode Island FC v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024
MF Juan O'Neill (1998-07-12) July 12, 1998 (age 26) 21 0   Black Rock FC v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024 PRE
FW Leandro Antonetti (2003-01-01) January 1, 2003 (age 21) 12 4   Sevilla Atlético v.   Aruba, September 9, 2024
FW Cesar Velasquez (2005-03-04) 4 March 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Tours FC v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024
FW Jeremy de León (2003-01-01) January 1, 2003 (age 21) 2 2   Real Madrid Castilla v.   Anguilla, 11 June 2024 PRE
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.

Records

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As of 9 September 2024[21]
Players in bold are still active with Puerto Rico.

Most appearances

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Héctor Ramos (right) is Puerto Rico's top goalscorer and their most capped player.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Héctor Ramos 36 18 2010–2019
2 Andrés Cabrero 35 4 2008–2018
3 Jackie Marrero 32 6 2011–2019
4 Alexis Rivera 31 0 2004–2016
5 Gerald Díaz 29 12 2017–present
Ricardo Rivera 29 16 2016–present
7 Darren Ríos 28 5 2016–present
8 Cristian Arrieta 22 5 2010–2015
Noah Delgado 22 3 2008–2012
Juan O'Neill 22 0 2017–present

Top goalscorers

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Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Héctor Ramos 18 36 0.5 2010–2019
2 Ricardo Rivera 16 29 0.55 2016–present
3 Gerald Díaz 12 29 0.41 2017–present
4 Chris Megaloudis 6 20 0.3 2008–2012
Jackie Marrero 6 32 0.19 2011–2019
6 Wilfredo Rivera 5 19 0.26 2021–present
Marcos Lugris 5 20 0.25 1983–1998
Cristian Arrieta 5 22 0.23 2010–2015
Darren Ríos 5 28 0.18 2016–present
10 Brian Conlon 4 6 0.67 1988–1993
Danny Mueller 4 6 0.67 1992–1993
Raphael Ortiz 4 12 0.33 2000–2010
Leandro Antonetti 4 12 0.33 2022–present
Isaac Angking 4 15 0.27 2021–present
Andrés Cabrero 4 35 0.11 2008–2018

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  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 2 1 1 0 8 0
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/16 31 8 8 15 40 57

CONCACAF Gold Cup

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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
Total 0/27

CONCACAF Nations League

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CONCACAF Nations League record
League Finals
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Finals Result Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2019–20 C C 4 2 0 2 6 12     2021 Ineligible
2022–23 C D 4 4 0 0 17 2     2023
2023–24 B D 6 4 0 2 22 10     2024
2024–25 B C To be determined   2025
Total — — 14 10 0 4 45 24 — Total 0 Titles — — — — — — —

CFU Caribbean Cup

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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

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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 also

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ^ Yamaira Muñiz Pérez (28 August 2019). "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". 7 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Kaká jugará su último partido contra Puerto Rico | FutbolBoricua.net". 12 October 2017. 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. ^ "UIC Alum Trout Named Head Coach of Puerto Rican Men's National Soccer Team".
  16. ^ "Puerto Rico overhauls BVI in CONCACAF Nations League finale". 24 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Puerto Rico slip past Suriname in dramatic shootout". 14 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Martinique fend off Puerto Rico to punch Group C ticket". 19 June 2023.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Convocatoria CONCACAF Nations League". Facebook. Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol.
  21. ^ "Puerto Rico". National Football Teams.
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