Motagua New Orleans showed to be too much for a 10 man Boca FC as the Blue Eagles claim their second consecutive league title with a 4-1 win over the Knights.
An early red card seemed to set the tone for this highly anticipated match up. Midfielder, Abdul Rayaan, committed a “serious foul play” while defending a corner kick and was shown a red while setting Motagua up for an early penalty kick. Blue Eagles captain, Leonardo Ferriera de Barros, would step up and slot home the first of his three goal performance.
The visitors would capitalize on a 10 man Boca throughout the first 15 minutes which resulted in the second of Barros’ goal that came off of a set piece in the 18th minute. Carlos Ramos would send in a high cross to the back post where Caio Cruz headed it back across the goal to an open Barros for an easy header.
Boca FC would find themselves with a great chance in the 31st minute to get one back, but the quick reflexes of Motagua’s keeper, Prince Graham, kept the Knights scoreless.
Barros would find the net for the third time in the 41st minute when the Blue Eagles stretched the Knights on a quick counter attack lead by forward Reese Wilson. Barros assisted with support and found space on the back post and received great service by Wilson to put Motagua up 3-0.
Motagua’s last and final goal came in the 53rd minute when forward Reese Wilson capitalized on a mistake by a Boca defender just 40 yards away from his goal. Wilson’s pace seem too much for Boca’s defense to track back and left keeper, Lance Quinne, on an island.
Boca would find the back of the net after a missed penalty by forward Larry Guerrero pinged off the post and to the feet of midfielder, Ivann Amaya, who would put the Knights on the board.
“We did the opposite of what we were trying to achieve, and that was to take away any and all opportunities for Motagua early on” said coach Francois Browne. “Being down 1-0 with 10 men in the first 10 minutes, against a team of their caliber, was not the start we were hoping for.”
The 2nd minute of the game Boca FC had an opportunity that came within inches of putting the Knights on top. If not for a great save by Graham, the home team could have found themselves in a much better position.
“That was what we were looking for….an early goal to get the momentum on our side.” said Browne.
This is Motagua’s second Louisiana Premier League title and their fifth interstate title in the past 5 years. (2012, 2013 and 2014 Louisiana Soccer Association Adult State Cup Champions)
“Coming up here we wanted to stay composed because we knew it would be a game with high emotions.” said Motagua coach Tony Martinez. “We wanted to control the tempo of this game…even with the extra man advantage we knew we couldn’t let them get back in the game….the boys played well.”
