_{Photo: Progresso FC – 2024 National Under-17 Boys Youth Club Football Champions}

by William Ysaguirre

BELMOPAN, Sat. Sept. 14, 2024 

The Progresso FC eliminated their rivals, San Estevan Soccer Team, 1-0, to win the National Under-17 Youth Club championship organized by the Football Federation of Belize at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday afternoon, September 14.

Mark Bainton and Calvin Thurton led Progresso’s offensive, supported by Jorge Nunes and James Waight on the wings and by Bryce Lawrence and Ediel Reyes at midfield. They made little impression on San Estevan’s defenders Aiden Tillett, Rodwell Cadle, Jayden Hernandez and Anthony Carrillo, who helped goalkeeper Orlando Cocom keep it a scoreless ball game up to the half.

Hadid “Nacho” Torres and Byron Marroquin led San Estevan’s attacks, with the help of Enri Muñoz and Charles Chanon on the wings, and Hammid Pren and Oscar Rodriguez at midfield. Progresso’s defenders Ziderine Carcaño, Kenneth Novelo, Cleveland Lord and Tyrone “TY” Linares shut them down, and goalkeeper Eric Rodriguez handled all other challenges.

Jaeden Dominguez, Vigo Richards and Juan Perdomo came off the San Estevan bench after the break, while Progresso’s coach Israel Canul introduced Esmond “Bagga” Sanker and Jordy Cobarrubia to get a goal. Then San Estevan blundered into conceding a penalty, which Calvin Thurton (69’) converted with aplomb for the 1-0 win.

FFB president Sergio Chuc presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions – Progresso FC, and sub-champions San Estevan Soccer Team in the awards ceremony after the final.

(AMANDALA Ed. Note: Due to Belize District Football Association shortcomings, no Belize City based team was able to represent the Belize District in this “national” tournament. Some Belize City players may have thus strengthened a few teams from the other districts.)