Puerto Rico One Game Closer to Group Play in Gold Cup

The game between Puerto Rico and Suriname was action-packed for 90’+10′ neither side finding a way to break through with a goal during regulation. Puerto Rico had the fan support in Ft. Lauderdale and feed off of its numerous times with strong attacks and big saves.

The first fifteen minutes saw back-and-forth action with no major threats. Then in the 35th minute, Puerto Rico needed a big save from their goalkeeper Joel Serrano and he met the task with strong arms. He made the initial save, it then banked off the woodwork and out of play.

The second half was more of the same for the two sides, both had their chances to find glory, but the defenses stood tall and wouldn’t break. The best chances for each side came late in the half, for Puerto Rico it was in the 75′ Gerald Diaz’s lunging effort at goal that was thwarted by the Suriname defense.

Then Suriname defender Leo Abena had an excellent header attempt in the 95′ stopped by the Puerto Rican keeper Joel Serrano. It was the best chance either side had all match. Puerto Rico would sub out their keeper just before the match ended bringing in penalty kick specialist Sebastian Cutler. Despite the somewhat home-field advantage for Puerto Rico if they wanted the victory they would have to do so in penalties.

The move to bring on the penalty kick specialist paid dividends with the score tied 2 – 2 and both sides having missed a penalty kick each it all came down to the moment. Cutler made a save to give El Huracan Azul the edge, and Diaz nailed the decisive penalty to send Puerto Rico through.

They will now face Martinique in the second preliminary round for the right to play in the group stage of the 2023 Gold Cup.

The match was a lot closer than Puerto Rico and its fans expected, the side missed numerous chances to secure the victory in regulation time. With Martinique now the last hurdle for them they will need to step up their play if they want the Cinderella run to continue. The way they played tonight won’t be enough to get past a tougher Martinique side that has experience.

Photo Credit (Concacaf.com)