2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Championship: USA’s Ellis praises Puerto Rico progress

 

Puerto Rico (pictured) gathers for a team photo prior to its CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship game against the USA on February 15, 2016, in Frisco, Texas. (Photo: Mexsport)
FRISCO, Texas -- Perhaps no outsider could appreciate the recent accomplishments of the Puerto Rico women’s national team more than United States head coach Jill Ellis.
The U.S. may have come away a 10-0 winner when the sides met Monday in 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Championship, but Ellis’ feelings for her opponent go far beyond a result.
Several years ago, she visited the island for a soccer clinic and could not help but notice that several players she instructed were now part of Puerto Rico’s senior squad.
While growing up in England, Ellis had no national team for which to play. To see progress elsewhere was encouraging.
"They lose 10-0, but there's pure joy in their faces just being out there and taking in all the experience and taking in the opportunity and that's what I didn't have in England-- an opportunity to play," the 49-year-old remarked after the Group A finale. "I said to a couple of them, 'I hope you are now more committed to this.' It's lighting a fire under them.
“For these girls to live it and experience it at this level is special. It's good for our game. It's good for our region. It's something they will never forget."
The Puerto Ricans did not score a goal in their three matches, also dropping decisions to Mexico (6-0) and Costa Rica (9-0). Just participating in the tournament, however, was a major accomplishment for a team that last performed in a confederation event during the 1998 CONCACAF Women's Championship.
"It is something that we expected our result to the U.S. by many goals,” commented Puerto Rico head coach Garabet Avedissan. "We tried to counter it, their pace and their players. It is hard to play the world champions, but I am happy for my players' performance and we're going to keep working."
Avedissan, who will continue to coach five different Puerto Rico national teams through 2018, wanted to keep his players motivated and make sure they weren't frustrated. After all, they fared so well in Caribbean qualifying, finishing as runner-up to Trinidad & Tobago with 4W-0D-1L record), outscoring the opposition, 25-3.
"All we can do is congratulate them for their participation and keep working hard," he finished. "We are going to keep working with the players to continue developing the program."
Playing three 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup participants in the space of six days was a great way to start.