Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico qualified from their Nations League A group with a win and a draw against Trinidad and Tobago, but lost twice to Mexico. Their win over Haiti in the preliminary round play-off was a seismic result.

What to expect

With a team based primarily around US-based college players, and with very little experience of international football, they did well to reach the preliminary round, but their 1-0 win over Haiti who had qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was as an act of giant killing.

Puerto Rico will be in Group B with Brazil, Colombia and Panama, based in San Diego.

With a squad based around US college players, the Puerto Ricans will likely find it had work against the full time professional teams. But they have shown they can compete with their win over Haiti and with the imposing presence of Sydney Martinez in goal they will be hard to score against.

Players to watch

Sydney Martinez, who plays her club football in Norway was the reason for their win over Haiti. A stunning series of saves,(15 in total over the game) including a penalty, pushed her team into the group rounds where she can expect to be kept similarly busy.

Jill Aguilera in midfield is the engine of a well organised Puerto Rican squad. She scored the goal from the penalty spot to beat Haiti.

Head coach

Nat González has had a playing and coaching career in US college soccer and for the past 11 seasons has been head coach of US college UC Riverside. In 2021 he was also appointed the head coach of Puerto Rico and has built his team predominantly around players with in or have been through the US college system.

Schedule

February 21 vs Brazil, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

February 24 vs Panama, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

February 17 vs Colombia, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

Squad