Contributed by Steven Torres
Soccer Long Island Magazine continues its weekly feature as it looks back at some historical events/games, both on and off the field, from the region of North, Central America and Caribbean.
In this week’s edition you have several “1st”: Bert Patenaude registered 1st World Cup Hat-Trick for U.S. in 1930; Cuba became 1st Caribbean team to win a match at men’s tournament at ‘80 Olympic Games; Barbados 1st WC qualifying victory against non-Caribbean opponent in 2000.
July 16, 2000: Hosts Barbados earned its first win over a non-Caribbean opponent during FIFA World Cup Qualifying (for Japan/Korea 2002) by topping Costa Rica, 2:1, in its opening match of the Semifinal Round Group C, before a crowd of 8,000, at Bridgetown's National Stadium. After Alexander Madrigal (48th) gave the Ticos the lead, however the Bajans got consecutive goals by Llewellyn Riley (49th) and Michael Forde (84th) for the victory.
July 17, 1930: After becoming the 1st North American nation to win a match (3:0 vs. Belgium) at the inaugural World Cup four days earlier, the United States entered the record books again when Bert Patenaude registered the 1st hat-trick (three goals) against Paraguay as the Stars & Stripes earned its 2nd consecutive victory (3:0), before a crowd of 18,306, at Parque Central Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay. The win also gave the U.S. 1st place in Group 4 with four points (2-0-0 record) and a berth to the semifinals.
July 18, 2007: After defeating Colombia in Group C opener three days earlier, Jamaica earned a historic victory over the defending champion Argentina, 2:0, at during Pan American Games Men's Under-20 Soccer Tournament at Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Kemmar Daley scored twice (80th, 90th) for the Reggae Boyz in the victory.
July 19, 1953: Pedro Arnauda and Tomás Balcazar each notched hat-tricks to lead hosts Mexico to an 8:0 victory over Haiti in the opening match of North American Region Final Round World Cup Qualifying (for Switzerland 1954) at Olímpico Stadium in Mexico City. The crowd of 50,000 also saw tallied from Gregorio Gómez and Nicolás Tellez, while goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal posted a shut out for El Tri.
July 20, 1980: Cuba became 1st Caribbean team to post a victory at men’s soccer tournament in Olympic Games after defeating Zambia, 1:0, in Group A opener at Kirov Stadium in Leningrad, Soviet Union. Andres Roldán scored the game-winner (58th) for the Leones del Caribe before a crowd of 100,000.
July 21, 1996: Goals from Tisha Venturini (37th), Mia Hamm (41st) and Tiffeny Milbrett (49th) led hosts U.S. to a 3:0 win against Denmark in opening Group E match of inaugural women's soccer tournament at Olympic Games. The encounter took place at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. before a crowd of 25,303.
July 22, 2000: Cuba and hosts Costa Rica secured places in the semifinals of Futsal World Cup Qualifying Tournament after eliminating Group A opponents Nicaragua and Surinam, respectively, at Heredia's Palacio de los Deportes Arena. Lazaro Martinez had three goals (hat-trick) and Ernesto Diaz added two tallies to lead the Leones del Caribe to a 9:2 win over Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Jose Picado and Diego Solis each scored twice for the Ticos in a come-from-behind 5:3 victory against Surinam.
Written by Steven Torres