_{Photo: Latrell Middleton of Port Layola FC (16 reg. season goals)}

BELIZE CITY, Wed. May 1, 2024

In terms of consistency of performance, there is no question which has been the best team over the past few years in the Premier League of Belize. Verdes FC has represented Belize in Concacaf League play for the past three years as the aggregate points winner over the Opening and Closing seasons, when it also garnered one or both tournament championships. The Concacaf berth each year has been decided between the two season championships, Opening and Closing. It is automatic when one team wins both; but when there are two different champions, the regular season aggregate points come into play, as it might in this current scenario. (See the Concacaf Points Tally chart below.)

With the top 4 teams currently competing in the Closing Season semifinals, one of these teams will emerge as Closing Season champion; and if it is Altitude FC again, then they automatically go on to Concacaf. If it is one of the other three, then their tally will be compared to Opening Season champion Altitude’s (52) regular season aggregate points tally. (Note the “Total” points column.) Thus, if either Verdes FC (66) or Port Layola FC (53) wins the championship, that team would gain the Concacaf berth, as the numbers tally shows. If Benque United FC (48) emerges as Closing Season champions, Altitude (52) would secure the spot in Concacaf.

But before we get to discussions about Concacaf, there is the matter of the PLB 2023-2204 Closing Season championship to be determined. And we’re just halfway through the semifinals, which culminate with the 2nd leg this coming weekend. And then, it is on to the “Big Dance” finals.

Semifinals 1st Leg results

At the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo on Saturday night, Verdes FC struck early, their top goal scorer this season, Matias Veron shaking the net in the very first minute, and the two best defensive teams this season kept it scoreless the rest of the way in regulation. Verdes FC, 1-0, over Benque United FC in their semifinals Game 1. Game 2 will be this Sunday at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio.

In the other semifinal, on Sunday afternoon at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City, it was the Latrell Middleton show, as the league’s leading goal scorer also stuck early to give Port Layola FC a 1-nil lead at the 14th minute, then assisted on a Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton goal at the 82nd minute to secure the 2-0 victory over defending champions, Altitude FC. Importantly, Altitude lost their key set-piece executor, Luis “Baaka” Torres to a red card for a dangerous high kick to the jaw of Port Layola’s Latrell Middleton. Port Layola also lost promising midfielder Naim “Neemo” Wilson to a red card; but the absence of the seasoned specialist Baaka will be felt more strongly by Altitude this coming Saturday night at the M.A. Stadium in Independence in the decisive Game 2 of their semifinal series.

Verdes vs Benque

In their two regular season match-ups, it was the same 1-0 score as in their semifinals Game 1. In Week 7, Verdes got a late goal by Camilo Villarreal (85’); and in Week 14, it was Jordy Polanco (71’) also in second half to give Verdes the 1-0 win. With 3 straight 1-0 losses to Verdes, can Benque break the jinx on Verdes’ home field this Sunday? The odds remain with Verdes, whose only blemish this past season was a 2-1 loss to Altitude.

Altitude vs Port Layola

In their first meeting in Week 1 of regular season, it was Altitude, 3-2, over Port Layola. Scoring for Altitude were Andres Orozco (12’), Rene Leslie (28’) and Ashton Torres (79’); while Port Layola goals were by Latrell Middleton (30’) and Orlando Velasquez (36’). When they met again in Week 8, it was a 2-2 stalemate, with Altitude captain Delone Torres (90+5’) securing the draw in injury time. Altitude’s other goal was by Dejmari Pop (67’). And for Port Layola, again Latrell Middleton (2’) opened their scoring, and Jesse August (88’) got a late goal. If Bredda Thurton joins the Port Layola firing line with Latrell Middleton and Orlando Velasquez, it will be hard for Altitude without a key player like Luis “Baaka” Torres on their roster. However, only one team, Verdes, have beaten Altitude at home this season, and they avenged that defeat. But Port has a 2-goal cushion, which may force Altitude to take more risks, against superior fire-power. Altitude fans could help make a difference. But do they have an answer for Latrell?