Regular season top scorer misses clear opportunity at the end in the PLB 1st Final against Verdes. Photo Credit: Progresso FC
By Rubén Morales Iglesias:
The Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Championship Final first leg ended 0–0 at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk on Sunday, December 7, but the defining moment came in the 95th minute when Middleton broke free with the clearest chance of the night. Rather than striking early, he pressed forward, confident he could slip past Woodrow West. But the Verdes goalkeeper read him perfectly, closing down and smothering the ball to deny Progresso the winner.
Of course, it wasn’t only Middleton’s miss that cost Progresso. Other wasted opportunities throughout the game — including his 79th‑minute blast over the bar and Verdes’ own near misses — contributed to the stalemate. Still, it’s not unusual that the last play becomes the one remembered, and Middleton’s failed attempt will linger as the moment Progresso could have seized history.
Starting Lineups
Progresso FC (Coach: Charlie Slusher):
01 Luisito Cunil (GK), 30 Naim Wilson, 14 Harlan Casanova, 52 Calvin Reid, 03 Jarret Davis, 11 Walter Gómez, 15 Raymond Ramos, 10 Andir Chi (C), 77 Rene Leslie, 09 Keydenshaay Bowen, 07 Latrell Middleton
Substitutes: Sagustume, A. Nuñez, A. Castillo, Petillo, Rogers, Richard
Verdes FC (Coach: Manu Can):
27 Woodrow West (GK), 25 Krisean Lopez, 17 Jaylen Lennan, 24 Christian Ramírez, 14 Darrel Myvett, 10 Jordy Polanco (C), 11 Jahron Myvett, 8 Joel Burgos, 23 Luis Ibarra, 42 Richard Monges, 26 John Allesandro
Substitutes: Nahuel P., Eldon R., Dejion M., Evral T., Felix M., Nahjib G., Jahyrl S., Desmond W., Daiver V., Brandon J.
Substitutions
Progresso FC:
- 52’ – Walter Gómez replaced Rene Leslie
- 59’ – Alden Nuñez replaced Keydenshaay Bowen
Verdes FC:
- 46’ – Nahjib Guerra replaced Jahron Myvett
- 46’ – Eldon Reneau replaced Joel Burgos
- 80’ – Daiver Vega replaced Darrel Myvett
- 86’ – Felix Martinez replaced Krisean Lopez
- 87’ – Desmond Wade replaced Luis Ibarra
Second-Half Drama & Tactical Decisions
Progresso’s attacking rhythm was disrupted by coach Charlie Slusher’s decision to withdraw Rene Leslie in the 52nd minute and Keydenshaay Bowen in the 59th — two of the team’s most consistent attacking threats.
Colombian Walter Gómez, who had been expected to start, was benched in favour of Marlon Gutierrez, but eventually came on for Leslie. Gómez, however, failed to provide the spark Progresso needed, leaving Middleton isolated and overburdened in the final third.
Verdes, meanwhile, grew into the game. Christian Ramírez rattled the crossbar with a thunderous free kick in the 69th minute, Nahjib Guerra forced a strong save from Luisito Cunil, and Desmond Wade fired wide in the 87th.
The Stakes
The first leg ends scoreless, leaving everything to play for in the decisive second leg at Edmund Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen. Verdes will look to secure their eighth national title, while Progresso must regroup quickly, sharpen their finishing.
The post Premier League of Belize: Progresso’s last-minute miss keeps PLB Final deadlocked appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Regular season top scorer misses clear opportunity at the end in the PLB 1st Final against Verdes. Photo Credit: Progresso FC By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Championship Final first leg ended 0–0 at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk on Sunday, December 7, but the defining moment came in the 95th minute
The post Premier League of Belize: Progresso’s last-minute miss keeps PLB Final deadlocked appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
