Posted: Monday, March 24, 2025. 12:20 pm CST.
BMNT training in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Photo Credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Men’s National Team (BMNT) is gearing up for the return leg of their Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica, following a crushing 7-0 defeat in Belmopan last Friday. The BMNT arrived in Costa Rica on Sunday and have already hit the training ground in San José, determined to deliver a stronger performance on Tuesday.
The match is set to take place at 7:00 pm at the National Stadium in San José, a world-class facility with a seating capacity of 35,000. While the opening match exposed Belize’s vulnerabilities—especially with several key players absent from the starting lineup—expectations are high for a more competitive showing this time around.
Head Coach Charlie Slusher and his team have been hard at work in San José, focused on regrouping and addressing the gaps that were evident in the first encounter. The absence of top players like Jordy Polanco, Nahjib Guerra, goalkeepers Charles Tillett, Moises Hernandez, Latrell Middleton, Rene Leslie, Orlando Velasquez, Andir Chi, Gabriel Ramos, Harlan Casanova, and Horace Avila, was a significant factor in the first match, and it remains to be seen how Belize will adjust their lineup for the rematch.
In an unusual mix-up during Friday’s game, ESPN reportedly received the wrong team lineup for the substitutes. At the beginning of the match, they listed several players—Jordy Polanco, Nahjib Guerra, goalkeeper Woodrow West, Moises Hernandez, Gabriel Ramos, and Horace Avila—who were not with the team at all. The error confused viewers and highlighted the absence of these key players, who were unavailable for the encounter in Belmopan.
BMNT training in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Photo Credit: FFB
If there was a silver lining to Friday’s game, it was the debut of 15-year-old Marlon Meza Jr. on the international stage. Meza came on for a few minutes in the second half, marking his first appearance at this level. The youngster likely wouldn’t have seen action—or even received a call-up—had Belize’s regular starters been available. However, Meza seized his opportunity and made a couple of promising moves, offering a glimpse of his potential and perhaps a bright future for the BMNT.
Costa Rica, buoyed by their dominant performance in Belmopan, will undoubtedly aim to replicate their success. The visitors demonstrated their superiority with goals from Manfred Ugalde (2), Kenneth Vargas, Jaylen Mitchell, Josimar Alcocer, and Alvaro Zamora (2), who delivered a particularly dazzling performance. For Belize, this match presents a chance to prove their resilience and pride on the international stage, even against a powerhouse opponent.
As the BMNT settles into San José, Belizean fans remain hopeful that our team can rise to the occasion and deliver a more spirited performance, carrying lessons from their previous encounter into Tuesday’s high-stakes match.
Let’s go, Belize! The road ahead is challenging, but the team has an opportunity to restore some confidence.
BMNT staring lineup vs Costa Rica last Friday, March 21, 2025 – Photo Credit: FFB
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The post Belize Men’s National Team are in Costa Rica for Tuesday’s Gold Cup Preliminary Round return match appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, March 24, 2025. 12:20 pm CST. BMNT training in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Photo Credit: FFB By Rubén
The post Belize Men’s National Team are in Costa Rica for Tuesday’s Gold Cup Preliminary Round return match appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
