Puerto Rico national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Puerto Rico women's national football team.

The Puerto Rico national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Puerto Rico) represents Puerto Rico in men's international football, and are governed by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol (FPF). The team's nickname is El Huracán Azul meaning The Blue Hurricane.^[2] They are members of the Caribbean Football Union, and part of CONCACAF. The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Puerto Rico

Nickname(s)	El Huracán Azul (The Blue Hurricane) Los Boricuas (The Boricuas)
Association	Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
Confederation	CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation	CFU (Caribbean)
Head coach	Charlie Trout
Captain	Zarek Valentin
Most caps	Héctor Ramos (36)
Top scorer	Héctor Ramos & Ricardo Rivera (18)
Home stadium	Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel Estadio Centroamericano
FIFA code	PUR
First colors Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current	157 (19 December 2024)[1]
Highest	97 (March 1994)
Lowest	202 (November 2004)
First international
Cuba 1–1 Puerto Rico  (Havana, Cuba; 12 November 1940)
Biggest win
Puerto Rico 9–0 Saint Martin  (Port-au-Prince, Haiti; 9 September 2012)
Biggest defeat
Netherlands Antilles 15–0 Puerto Rico  (Caracas, Venezuela; 15 January 1959)

History

1940–1990

Puerto Rico's first international match was against Cuba in 1940 in which they drew 1–1. They did not record a win until a 3–0 result in 1970 against the Bahamas. In 1972, Puerto Rico recorded a 1–0 win against Panama in a friendly. Wins between the 1980s and 1990s were mainly against the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Martinique.^[3]

Chris Armas years (1993–1994)

Chris Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup. In the tournament, Puerto Rico established a 4-game win streak without conceding a goal.^[3] The competition was not then recognized by FIFA, and so his five matches were considered friendlies. As a result, he was later allowed to switch his allegiance to the United States,^[4] for whom he has since been capped over 50 times.^{[citation needed]}

1995–2007

Between 1995 and 2007 Puerto Rico did not record a win, and had only four draws. During this time, the team dropped down in the FIFA Rankings to 202nd.^[3]

2008–2015

Puerto Rico (in blue) playing Spain in 2012.

Over the past few years, Puerto Rico has begun to emerge as a contender, like they were in the 1990s. In 2008, they won two games as visitors against Bermuda (1–0 and 2–0), drew 2–2 with Trinidad and Tobago. They also won for the first time since 1994 when they beat the Dominican Republic in the first round of the World Cup qualifiers. Although they lost the first leg 4–0 to Honduras, they fought a 2–2 tie in the home leg in the second round. The Puerto Rican Football Federation has announced plans that would allow them to participate in the next editions of the Caribbean Cup and Gold Cup.^[5] Most capped player Andres Cabrero is the only active player as of 2021 who participated in said 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Puerto Rico was supposed to make their debut in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games on home soil in Mayagüez, but due to the controversy of CONCACAF not approving the stadiums, the team couldn't compete in the football event. The team was supposed to play in Venezuela instead but due to the lack of teams, the male event was canceled.^[6]

Puerto Rico faced World and European champion Spain in a friendly on 15 August 2012, losing 2–1 in the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

On 5 June 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against Bermuda, their last friendly before the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup ending in a 1–1 draw. After losing to Grenada 2–1 in the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Puerto Rico's Interim coach Jose 'Cukito' Martinez resigned and a few days later, the Uruguayan Carlos Avedissian solved his visa problems and could finally arrive as the head coach of the national team. On 11 December 2015, Puerto Rico played a friendly against MLS team New York City, losing 2–1.

2016–2020

Carlos Avedissian / Jack Stefanowski era

Carlos Avedissian took charge of the team in 2015 forming a roster mainly of players from the Puerto Rico local leagues. On 22 May 2016, Puerto Rico played a friendly match against the United States for the first time ever ending in a 3–1 loss.^[7] For discrepancies with the Federation, Avedissian was substituted by Jack Stefanowski for the second round on an interim basis. With this team mainly of local players, Puerto Rico advanced for the first time to the third round of the 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification when they defeated Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda in the second round, only two games away from reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time. Stefanowski had to leave the technical director position because he was an assistant for Puerto Rico FC.^{[citation needed]}

On 3 September 2016, Puerto Rico faced India for the first time in an international friendly match at the Mumbai Football Arena, but were defeated in the contest 1–4.^[8]

Carlos García Cantarero era

After Stefanowski left the team to continue with Puerto Rico FC, Carlos Cantarero assumed as head coach of the national team with Jose Cukito Martinez (who had coached most of the local players in the Puerto Rico League) as assistant coach. The team played three friendlies, two against the Dominican Republic and one against India, prior to the third round matches against Antigua and Barbuda and Curaçao. Coach Cantarero couldn't coach in the friendlies due to visa problems. After the second friendly against the Dominican Republic Assistant Coach Martinez left the team prior to the trip to India and David Guillemat assumed the position. Regardless of the administrative debacle, and coaching changes, Puerto Rico lost the decisive match against Curaçao after being 2–0 up front for which Curaçao as head of group advanced to the Gold Cup.

Puerto Rico didn't play an international match until the summer of 2017 when they played to a scoreless draw against Indonesia.^[9]

After the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September that left the entire island powerless. On 7 October it was reported MLS club, Orlando City SC announced a Fuerza Puerto Rico’ Friendly for 4 November with all the net proceeds from the match going towards the United for Puerto Rico initiative to raise funds and aid recovery efforts for the island. Reactivating the national team for a 3rd time this year.^[10] The friendly marked Orlando City’s last game of 2017, as well team captain, Kaká with the lions.^[11] Puerto Rico lost the exhibition match 6–1.^[12]

Amado Guevara era

In May 2018, the Puerto Rican Football Federation announced that Carlos Cantarero would no longer continue as head coach of the national team, with former Honduran player Amado Guevara taking over as head coach.^[13]

2020s

Zarek Valentin made his debut for Puerto Rico in 2021

On 19 March 2023, just days before the Nations League, the Puerto Rican Football Federation announced Charlie Trout as the new head coach of the national team.^[14]

2022–23 Nations League

In the second season of the CONCACAF Nations League, Puerto Rico would again be a part of the C-League. This time being inserted to Group D alongside the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands. The team would go on to beat the British Islands 3–1^[15] and then later beat the Cayman Islands 5–1. The team would go on to win the group stage, thus earning a Gold Cup prelims invitation and promotion into the B league for the next Nations league.

In the Gold Cup prelims, the team would draw against Suriname 0–0 and later winning in a penalty shootout 4–3.^[16] In the second round of the prelims, Puerto Rico would face Martinique. The team would lose 2–0 and be eliminated from the tournament.^[17]

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier	Period
Joma	2018–2024
Hummel	2024–

Results and fixtures

Main article: Puerto Rico national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

Belize  v  Puerto Rico

21 March Friendly	Belize	1–1	Puerto Rico	Belmopan, Belize
19:30 UTC−6				Stadium: FFB Stadium

Belize  v  Puerto Rico

24 March Friendly	Belize	3–0	Puerto Rico	Belmopan, Belize
18:00 UTC−6				Stadium: FFB Stadium

El Salvador  v  Puerto Rico

6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	El Salvador	0–0	Puerto Rico	San Salvador, El Salvador
20:30 UTC−6		Report		Stadium: Estadio Cuscatlán Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)

Puerto Rico  v  Anguilla

11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Puerto Rico	8–0	Anguilla	Bayamón, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−6	de León 20' (pen.) 51' Ydrach 31' W. Rivera 48' 65' L. Antonetti 59' Ríos 71' Cardona 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium Referee: Oshane Nation (Jamaica)

Puerto Rico  v  Haiti

6 September 2024–25 Nations League	Puerto Rico	1–4	Haiti	Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4	G. Díaz 28'	Report	Jean Jacques 50' Pierrot 59' Louicius 76' Nazon 83'	Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Filip Dujić (Canada)

Aruba  v  Puerto Rico

9 September 2024 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League	Aruba	0–1	Puerto Rico	Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
20:00 UTC−4		Report	Antonetti 73'	Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts and Nevis)

Sint Maarten  v  Puerto Rico

11 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League	Sint Maarten	3–2	Puerto Rico	Oranjestad, Aruba
16:00 UTC−4	Amatkarijo 44', 85' (pen.) Kort 49'	Report	Sulia 2' A. Díaz 90+5'	Stadium: Trinidad Stadium Attendance: 19 Referee: Benjamin Pineda (Costa Rica)

Puerto Rico  v  Sint Maarten

14 October 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League	Puerto Rico	2–1	Sint Maarten	Oranjestad, Aruba
16:00 UTC−4	G. Díaz 45' R. Rivera 83' (pen.)	Report	Christina 54'	Stadium: Trinidad Stadium Referee: Moeth Gaymes (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Puerto Rico  v  Aruba

2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League	Puerto Rico	5–1	Aruba	Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
19:00 UTC−4	R. Rivera 7' N. Hernandez 23' D. Ríos 55' J. Servenia 62' A. Díaz 81'	Report	J. Jiménez 21'	Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Fernando Morón (Panama)

Haiti  v  Puerto Rico

18 November 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League	Haiti	3–0	Puerto Rico	Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
	Attys 29' Louicius 53' Pierrot 70'			Stadium: Estadio Centroamericano de Mayagüez Referee: Rubiel Vázquez (United States)

2025

Puerto Rico  v  Dominican Republic

21 March Friendly	Puerto Rico	v	Dominican Republic	Bayamon, Puerto Rico
				Stadium: Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel

Dominican Republic  v  Puerto Rico

25 March Friendly	Dominican Republic	v	Puerto Rico	Santiago, Dominican Republic
				Stadium: Estadio Cibao FC

Suriname  v  Puerto Rico

6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Suriname	v	Puerto Rico	Suriname
				Stadium: TBD

Puerto Rico  v  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Puerto Rico	v	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Puerto Rico
				Stadium: TBD

Coaching staff

As of 23 June 2023.

Role	Name	Since
Sporting director	Steve McCullogh	14 January 2022
Head coach	Charlie Trout	19 March 2023
Assistant coach	Adekunle Adeleye	19 March 2023
Goalkeeping coach	Ritchie Marshall	19 March 2023

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

• Eduardo Ordóñez Munguira (1959)
• Raúl Marchant González (1966)
• Egberto Morales Carrasco (1972)
• / Luis Villarejo (1974–1975)
• Carlos Martinolli (1978–1979)
• Joe Serralta (1979–1982)
• Juan "Saso" Tullier (1982–1984)
• Ricardo "Richie" Romano (1985–1990)
• Víctor Hugo Barros (1990–1991)
• Arnie Ramirez (1992)
• Oscar Rosa (1992)
• Cristóbal Vaccaro (1996)
• José Luis "Majo" Rodríguez (1999)
• Raimundo Gatinho (2000)
• Toribio Rojas (2002–2003)
• Víctor Hugo Barros (2004)
• Colin Clarke (2007–2011)
• Jack Stefanowski (2011)
• Adrian Whitbread (2011)
• Jeaustin Campos (2011–2013)
• Víctor Hugo Barros (2013–2014)
• José "Cukito" Martinez (2015)
• Carlos Avedissian (2015–2016)
• Jack Stefanowski (2016)
• Carlos García Cantarero (2016–2018)
• Amado Guevara (2018–2019)
• Elgy Morales (2019–2021)^[18]
• Dave Sarachan (2021–2022)
• Charlie Trout (2023–present)

Players

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Sebastián Cutler	(2003-05-20) May 20, 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Villanova University
18	1GK	Joel Serrano	(1999-05-17) May 17, 1999 (age 25)	20	0	FC Naples
4	2DF	Rodolfo Sulia	(2002-08-08) August 8, 2002 (age 22)	19	2	FC Naples
2	2DF	Orion McHugh	(2001-07-06) July 6, 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Free agent
3	2DF	Giovanni Calderon	(2000-09-15) September 15, 2000 (age 24)	10	0	Real Monarchs
5	2DF	Sidney Paris	(2002-03-10) March 10, 2002 (age 23)	5	0	Sigüeiro FC
6	2DF	Noeh Hernández	(2004-12-09) December 9, 2004 (age 20)	9	0	DePaul University
7	2DF	Ryan Basabe	(2003-06-22) June 22, 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Orlando City U18
8	2DF	Nicolás Cardona	(1998-02-14) February 14, 1998 (age 27)	15	1	Miami FC
9	2DF	Colby Quiñones	(2003-04-14) April 14, 2003 (age 21)	9	0	Portland Hearts of Pine
10	3MF	Benjamín Donato	(2005-07-05) July 5, 2005 (age 19)	5	0	Stetson University
11	3MF	Steven Echevarria	(2000-08-19) August 19, 2000 (age 24)	12	0	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
12	3MF	Gerald Díaz	(1999-03-23) March 23, 1999 (age 25)	31	13	Miami FC
13	3MF	Jaden Servania	(2001-07-16) July 16, 2001 (age 23)	18	1	North Carolina FC
14	3MF	Adrián Biaggi	(2005-04-13) April 13, 2005 (age 19)	5	0	University of Illinois Chicago
15	3MF	Roberto Ydrach	(2002-11-20) November 20, 2002 (age 22)	7	0	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
16	4FW	Eddiel Márquez	(2003-05-25) May 25, 2003 (age 21)	5	0	CFA Quart de les Valls U19
17	4FW	Leandro Antonetti	(2003-01-01) January 1, 2003 (age 22)	12	4	Sevilla Atlético
18	4FW	Alec Díaz	(2001-12-07) December 7, 2001 (age 23)	10	1	Free agent
19	4FW	Darren Ríos	(1995-10-14) October 14, 1995 (age 29)	30	5	SV Wilhelmshaven
20	4FW	Enrique Nieves IV	(2003-10-23) October 23, 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Free agent
21	4FW	Ricardo Rivera	(1997-04-17) April 17, 1997 (age 27)	31	17	Miami FC
22	4FW	Jeremy de León	(2004-09-30) September 30, 2004 (age 20)	3	0	Real Madrid Castilla
23	4FW	Wilfredo Rivera	(2003-10-14) October 14, 2003 (age 21)	21	5	Free agent

Records

As of 18 November 2024^[19]

Players in bold are still active with Puerto Rico.

Most appearances

Héctor Ramos (right) is Puerto Rico's top goalscorer and their most capped player.

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Héctor Ramos	36	18	2010–2019
2	Andrés Cabrero	35	4	2008–2018
3	Gerald Díaz	33	13	2017–present
	Ricardo Rivera	33	18	2016–present
5	Jackie Marrero	32	6	2011–2019
	Darren Ríos	32	6	2016–present
7	Alexis Rivera	31	0	2004–2016
8	Cristian Arrieta	22	5	2010–2015
	Nicolás Cardona	22	1	2021–present
	Noah Delgado	22	3	2008–2012
	Juan O'Neill	22	0	2017–present
	Wilfredo Rivera	22	5	2021–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Ricardo Rivera	18	33	0.55	2016–present
	Héctor Ramos	18	36	0.5	2010–2019
3	Gerald Díaz	13	33	0.39	2017–present
4	Chris Megaloudis	6	20	0.3	2008–2012
	Jackie Marrero	6	32	0.19	2011–2019
	Darren Ríos	6	32	0.19	2016–present
7	Marcos Lugris	5	20	0.25	1983–1998
	Cristian Arrieta	5	22	0.23	2010–2015
	Wilfredo Rivera	5	22	0.23	2021–present
10	Brian Conlon	4	6	0.67	1988–1993
	Danny Mueller	4	6	0.67	1992–1993
	Raphael Ortiz	4	12	0.33	2000–2010
	Leandro Antonetti	4	14	0.29	2022–present
	Isaac Angking	4	15	0.27	2021–present
	Andrés Cabrero	4	35	0.11	2008–2018

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup										Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1958	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1962	Did not enter									Did not enter
1966
1970
1974	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	0	12
1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1982
1986	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	0	8
1990										2	0	0	2	1	3
1994										4	1	1	2	4	5
1998										2	0	0	2	1	9
2002										2	0	1	1	4	6
2006	Did not enter									Did not enter
2010	Did not qualify									3	1	1	1	3	6
2014										6	2	3	1	8	4
2018										2	1	0	1	1	2
2022										4	2	1	1	10	2
2026	To be determined									2	1	1	0	8	0
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/16								31	8	8	15	40	57

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963	Did not enter
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1991	Did not qualify
1993
1996
1998
2000
2002
2003
2005
2007	Did not enter
2009
2011	Did not qualify
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
Total		0/27

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League											Finals
Season	Division	Group	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R		Finals	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2019–20	C	C	4	2	0	2	6	12			2021	Ineligible
2022–23	C	D	4	4	0	0	17	2			2023
2023–24	B	D	6	4	0	2	22	10			2024
2024–25	B	C	To be determined								2025
Total	—	—	14	10	0	4	45	24	—		Total	0 Titles	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

CONCACAF Nations League history
First match	Puerto Rico 0–5 Guatemala  (10 September 2019; Mayagüez, Puerto Rico)
Biggest win	Puerto Rico 6–0 British Virgin Islands  (12 June 2022; Mayagüez, Puerto Rico)
Biggest defeat	Puerto Rico 0–5 Guatemala  (10 September 2019; Mayagüez, Puerto Rico)  Guatemala 5–0 Puerto Rico  (16 November 2019; Guatemala City, Guatemala)
Best result	—
Worst result	—

CFU Caribbean Cup

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1978	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	1	2
1979	Did not enter									Did not enter
1981	Fourth place	4th	3	0	1	2	1	9		Qualified as host
1983	Did not enter									Did not enter
1985
1988
1989
1990
1991	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	3	6
1992	Did not enter									Did not enter
1993	Group stage	6th	3	0	1	2	7	14		3	3	0	0	7	0
1994	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	1	2
1995										3	0	1	2	3	14
1996	Did not enter									Did not enter
1997	Withdrew									Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	1	7
1999										3	0	0	3	0	9
2001										2	0	1	1	1	2
2005										3	0	1	2	3	11
2007	Did not enter									Did not enter
2008
2010	Did not qualify									6	3	0	3	10	8
2012										6	2	0	4	15	12
2014										3	0	2	1	5	6
2017										6	1	2	3	11	11
Total	Fourth place	2/25	6	0	2	4	8	23		43	10	8	25	61	80

Pan American Games

Pan American Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1951	Did not enter
1955
1959
1963
1967
1971
1975
1979	Round 2	5th	4	1	0	3	2	12
1983	Did not enter
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003	Did not qualify
2007	Did not enter
2011	Did not qualify
2015
2019
2023
Total	Round 2	1/19	4	1	0	3	2	12

See also

• Association football portal
• Puerto Rico portal

• Puerto Rico national under-20 football team
• Puerto Rico national under-17 football team
• Football in Puerto Rico