_{Photo: PROGRESSO FC}

ORANGE WALK TOWN, Sat. Aug. 10, 2024

Progresso FC are leading the Premier League of Belize (PLB) standings, at Week 2 of the 2024-2025 Opening Season, with 6 points from 2 wins following their 1-0 upset of former champions Verdes FC at the Peoples Stadium on Saturday night, August 10.

Andir Chi and Mikey Palacio led Progresso FC’s attack, with the help of Kyle Budna and Alden Nuñez on the wings, and Sydney Petillo and Jhon Sebastian Vasquez Vergara at midfield; while veteran Evral Trapp anchored the Verdes’ defense with Arles Abonia Balanta, Christian Ramirez and Darrel Myvett to help goalkeeper Woodrow West keep it a scoreless ball game until the half.

Krisean Lopez and Nahjib Guerra led the Green Machine’s offensive, along with Ronald Benavides and Jordi Polanco at midfield; but the Progresso defenders’ Richie Gillett, Anderson Cordoba, Harlan Casanova and Jose Tinoco Velasquez gave them short shrift to also assist goalkeeper Charles Tillett in keeping a clean slate up to the break.

The second half continued with no quarter asked nor given until the 85th minute when a Verdes foul 35 yards from goal conceded a free kick to the orange jerseys. Richie Gillett’s textbook execution of the set piece proved too much for West to handle, as the ball skidded under the crossbar and into the back of the net; 1-0, Progresso! The host defenders dug in to secure the 1-0 win.

The San Pedro Pirates rank 2nd in the standings with 4 points after they sacked the hapless Belmopan Bandits, 4-0, at the Football Federation of Belize Stadium on Sunday afternoon, August 11. The Pirates’ “Blue Tsunami” swept away the Bandits with goals by Tyrese Augustine (35’), Shedrick Swazo (65’), Ian Pou (71’) and Moises Hernandez (78’), while Pirates’ goalkeeper Zeron Sagastume shut out all the Bandits’ shots at goal. Even when the Pirates found themselves a man short after Marlon Gutierrez was ejected from the ball game with his second yellow card, the host Bandits could not get a goal.

Upcoming match on Saturday August 17
San Pedro Pirates FC vs Verdes FC at Ambergris Stadium

Upcoming match on Sunday August 18
Wagiya SC vs Progresso FC at Carl Ramos Stadium.