_{Photo: Progresso FC’s (l to r) goalkeeper Charles Tillett, and goal scorers Michael Palacio and Andir Chi}

by William Ysaguirre

Progresso FC cruised to a 3-0 win over Belmopan Bandits at the Peoples Stadium on Saturday night, August 3, while Verdes FC romped to a 7-0 win over Wagiya at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday afternoon, August 4, in the opening weekend of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2024-2025 opening season.

Andir Chi’s brace (36’ and 85’) and Mikey Palacio’s penalty sealed Progresso FC’s 3-0 win over the Belmopan Bandits. Progresso FC had welcomed Sugar City homeboy Andir Chi back from several successful seasons with the San Pedro Pirates, and he and Mikey Palacio led the attacks, supported by Alwyn Zelaya and Alden Nuñez on the wings, and by Sydney Petillo and Jhon Sebastian Vasquez at midfield. The Bandits’ defenders, Blake Tejeda, Roger Parham, Kendal Nunez and Jamani Hope were hard-pressed, and goalkeeper Brandon Anderson could not stop Andir Chi’s slice (36’) inside the right upright to find the back corner of the net: 1-0.

Jermaine Westby and Bryan Sanchez Vargas led the visitors’ counterattacks with the help of Jabex Che, Ray Enfield Coleman, and Lucas Caal at midfield. They got short shrift from Progresso defenders Richie Gillett, Harlan Casanova, Jose Tinoco Velasquez and Wilmer Chacon, who helped goalkeeper Charles Tillett keep a clean slate throughout.

At half time, the match commissioner presented former Port Layola FC goalkeeper, Charles Tillett with the Most Valuable Player award for the 2023-2024 closing season.

Progresso’s new technical director, Wilmer Garcia, was obliged to introduce Kyle Budna to replace Zelaya seven minutes after intermission, and he will be out for the rest of the season. Zelaya came a cropper after a hard tackle by the Bandits’ defense and had to be carried off the field with a broken leg. His teammates pressed the officials’ PVC table into service as a makeshift stretcher to carry him to a pickup truck, which rushed him to the hospital.   

Amani Hope compounded the Bandits’ woes when he fouled Palacio inside the goal area, and Palacio (62’) converted the penalty: 2-0. Coach Wilmer Garcia sent in Jonard Castillo and Raymond Ramos to relieve Petillo and Nuñez, and Chi found the back of the net again (85’) for the 3-0 win.

At the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday, Yubequir Arenas’ brace (18’ and 33’) led Verdes to a 7-0 win over Wagiya. Other goals by Felix Martinez (22’), Jordy Polanco (55’), Krisean Lopez (57’) and Y. Areares (70’) clinched the 7-0 win.

At the Marion Jones Sports Complex, the much-touted showdown between the newly reconstituted San Pedro Pirates and the defending champions Port Layola FC fizzled like a firecracker in the rain. Port’s strikers Gilroy Thurton and Orlando Velasquez, and defender Juan Ocampo Guzman were resting up for their CONCACAF match-up against Honduras’ champions Olimpia CD. Port was reduced to 10 men, when Jarret Davis was ejected early on with a red card, but the Pirates were unable to exploit their numerical advantage to score. The game ended in a scoreless stalemate.

[AMANDALA Ed. Note: The PLB awards for the recent 2023-2024 Closing Season, which was won by Port Layola FC on penalties over Verdes FC, included: Best Goalkeeper – Woodrow West (Verdes FC); Best Defence – Arles Balanta (Verdes FC); Best Midfielder – Jordy Polanco (Verdes FC); Best Forward – Latrell Middleton (Port Layola FC); Golden Boot (MVP Reg. Season) – Latrell Middleton (Port Layola FC); Best Young Player – Jaylon Lennan (Benque United FC); Best Coach – Charlie Slusher (Port Layola FC); Best Manager – Leaton St. Clair (Port Layola FC); Golden Boot (MVP Playoff) – Charles Tillett (Port Layola FC).]