Encouraging To Watch Cinderellas Like Bermuda
Bermuda “made a strong first impression in their Gold Cup debut” and “entertained with their skill and possession in the first 45 minutes,” the MLS Soccer website reported, noting that it is “encouraging to watch Cinderellas like Bermuda.”
“Bermuda made a strong first impression in their Gold Cup debut, but they had no answer for Frantzdy Pierrot,” the report on the official website of the US-based Major League Soccer organisation said.
“The striker led Haiti to a 2-1 comeback win over Bermuda at Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica, the first half of a Group B doubleheader and the first-ever Gold Cup match played outside the United States, Mexico or Canada.
“Bermuda, one of the smallest nations in Concacaf with a domestic population of just over 71,000, entertained with their skill and possession in the first 45 minutes and took a deserved lead into halftime via Dante Leverock’s corner-kick header.
“The Gombey Warriors’ defending let them down after the break, however, and it cost them dearly.
“First Pierrot, who plays his club soccer for Belgium’s Royal Excel Mouscron, headed home a well-worked set-piece delivery at the far post to equalize, and 12 minutes later he stroked in the rebound after Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve parried a Duckens Nazon shot into his path.
“New York Red Bulls Homegrown Derrick Etienne gave Haiti a spark off the bench and was prominently involved in the buildup to the game-winner, while New England Revolution midfielder Zach Herivaux worked the full 90 minutes at the base of Haiti’s midfield.”
“The Big Picture: It’s encouraging to watch Cinderellas like Bermuda seize the opportunities provided by this tournament’s expansion, though their naivete showed as they allowed Haiti to slip past them and grab the advantage in the race for second place in Group B behind expected winners Costa Rica.”
You can read the full story here on the MLS Soccer website.
Bermuda’s team includes Nahki Wells, Dante Leverock, Jonte Smith, Reggie Lambe, Dale Eve, Oliver Jalen Harvey, Calon Minors, Roger Lee, Kacy Milan Butterfield, Jaylon Bather, Lejaun Simmons, Donte Brangman, Chikosi Basden, Zeiko Lewis, Willie Clemons, Jahquil Hill, Osagi Bascome, Cecoy Robinson, Justin Donawa, Wendell Tre Ming, Liam Evans, Marco Warren, and Quinaceo Hunt.
The Gombey Warriors have already played Haiti, and will take on Costa Rica on June 20th in Dallas, and then match up against Nicaragua on June 24th in New Jersey, and in an effort to provide comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s debut in this highly prestigious regional competition, Bernews has a dedicated reporter traveling with the team in order to bring all the latest action and insights, with the special coverage thanks to the support of Butterfield & Vallis, One Communications, and Bermuda Security Group.
If you want additional coverage, please feel free to join Bernews new Sports Facebook group, where our traveling reporter is providing daily updates and some ‘behind the scenes’ coverage.
