BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Nov. 21, 2024
Tropical Storm Sara forced a postponement over the weekend, and Monday saw the Belize Jaguars clinch a berth in the Concacaf Gold Cup play-in with a 4-3 aggregate win over French Guiana in Suriname, but the focus is back to local football action as the decisive Leg 2 of the PLB semifinals this weekend will determine who will go to the Big Dance for the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 championship finals.
In the first leg a couple weekends ago, Verdes FC travelled to Ambergris Caye on Saturday night, November 9, and came away with a 1-1 draw against San Pedro Pirates, who led 1-nil at the half on a goal (27’) by Aldin Foreman, but budding star Desmond Wade’s spectacular second-half header (67’) salvaged the draw for the visitors. Meanwhile, also on that Saturday night, home standing Progresso FC took an early lead at the People’s Stadium through Trimayne “Peppa” Harris (7’), but visiting Port Layola FC responded with goals from Sean Young (3’ & 49’) and Latrell Middleton (32’ PK) before Progresso’s Harris returned (71’) to keep the score close at 3-2. Progresso’s hopes of a draw were dashed near the end of regulation when Akeem Sutherland (89’) sealed the 4-2 road victory for Port Layola.
Progresso’s Trimayne Harris has apparently broken out of a long slump. A star with BDF, he was recruited by Verdes, but didn’t find his rhythm there for a couple seasons. Now with Progresso he may have found his goal-scoring touch, recording a brace in their big semifinal effort. Can he do it again? Meanwhile, Port Layola’s Sean/Shawn (which is it?) Young has great ball control and good striking skills, but has been criticized for carrying extra luggage, which can be corrected with hard work. His brace against Progresso after a long draught may be a sign that he is getting to that next level. Port is stacked with strikers, despite the absence of Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton due to suspension; they still have last season’s MVP Latrell Middleton; the small but explosive Rene Leslie; tall and multi-talented Orlando Velasquez; and the ever dangerous Colombian Andres Orozco. Progresso will need Andir Chi, Ian Pou and a few others to step up against Port Layola.
Verdes has the edge with experience and goal scoring talent over San Pedro Pirates. Jordy Polanco is both a “setter” and a scorer, while Desmond Wade is proving himself as a formidable striker, Darrell Myvett has been consistently dangerous with air balls around goal, and Krisean Lopez can make things happen from any angle in the attack. San Pedro will need some big surprises to stop the Green Machine, but they do have a couple rising talents – especially a rookie named Keydenshay Bowen, who was the 2024 Amateur League MVP, and another newcomer to the PLB, his Terror Squad teammate and Amateur League Golden Boot winner, Jaheim Mena – and they also have former national team player Devon Makin who is still a goal scoring threat.
Updated PLB semifinals 2nd leg schedule:
Saturday night, November 23
Verdes FC vs San Pedro Pirates at Marshalleck Stadium.
Sunday afternoon, November 24
Port Layola FC vs Progresso FC at Marion Jones Sports Complex.