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Puerto Rico FC: A New Beginning

By David A. Hughes II

May 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The NASL game ball before the game between the New York Cosmos and the Carolina Railhawks at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The NASL game ball before the game between the New York Cosmos and the Carolina Railhawks at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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As of 2016 and under new management in the form of NBA star Carmelo Anthony, the soccer scene in Puerto Rico has made a comeback and seems it is picking up right where it left off.

This past weekend marked the first time in four years that the NASL has seen representation from Puerto Rico.  Due to financial problems in 2012, the Puerto Rico Islanders were forced to dissolve, closing off the world to a soccer island that had much more to give.

When Hector Ramos opened the scoring in the 74th minute and in Puerto Rico FC’s fresh history, fans in the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel went crazy!  Pride, passion, and energy coarsed through the stadium as if soccer had never left.  A goal that lifted tension and nervous questions.

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Puerto Rico FC would go on to tie, giving up a goal in the late stages of stoppage time, but what else would you expect from the Spring season champs, Indy Eleven.  A bright start and a whole lot to look forward to for a team that has endured and waited patiently for the past couple years.

Puerto Rico FC, similar to Leicester City in the EPL and Iceland in the Euros, stands for something ‘bigger’ than soccer.  Something that is bigger than the game and something that is bigger than the players on the field.

Puerto Rico FC stands for independence, determination, and release, like most sports.  If Puerto Rico FC can influence 6,000 or 10,000 people in the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel every weekend or every other weekend, maybe problems off the field will feel like less of a burden.

Lets take a look at Iceland and Leicester City.

A country of nearly 300,000 found strength, courage, and identity in the 11 men that set foot on the field in France.  Those selected battled for every fifty-fifty ball where ever it may have landed on the field all the while, driving forward on the offensive.  They made it to the Semi-final against France.

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A similar situation took place this past year in the center city of England, as Leicester City shocked the world by winning the EPL.  Once again, these men had few expectations of really doing anything seeing as though the previous season they barely escaped relegation.

The point in, if the men in orange can string a couple wins together, people will believe, and belief spreads quick amongst the masses when things are pointing up.

With their North American soccer roots dating back to 2003, Puerto Rico FC are not considered ‘new’ in any way, shape, or form.  As it stands, two players were originally on the Islanders and another seven either played in the NASL for other teams or had a stint with an MLS club(s).

Not to mention their most traveled players such as Cristiano, Chris Nurse, Ramon Soria, and Hector Ramos who bring expertise from leagues overseas.  With domestic and foreign experience at their disposal and fans just itching for goals, Puerto Rico FC have written a mesmerizing script so far and they should have no problem executing it.

As soccer fans, what we are all hoping is for Puerto Rico FC to be successful and continue to be able to fund its way through its re-installment and growth in the NASL, but can they actually do it?  Can this team find motivation from its past and continue to grow under new and improved management?

If so, can the new members of PRFC on and off the field dig deep enough to uncover their pre-existing North American soccer roots and re-emerge as they once were, or are they too deep for memory to remember?

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