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The final whistle blew. Portugal’s players walked off with their heads down, some removing their jerseys to give to Puerto Rican children who had never seen their national team win anything at all. Javi Soto collapsed to his knees at center circle, kissed the crest on his chest – a coquí frog holding a soccer ball – and wept.
“With respect, sir,” he said softly. “We don’t deserve anything. We took it.” When Puerto Rico Smashes Portugal - Jay Summers...
La Sombra was five-foot-five, 140 pounds, and had been rejected by the Philadelphia Union’s academy for being “too small.” He cut inside, faked a shot, nutmegged the Portuguese right-back, and chipped the goalkeeper from twenty yards. The final whistle blew
In the 77th minute, Portugal finally scored. A consolation header from a corner. A polite, European goal. “With respect, sir,” he said softly
Not a choreographed celebration. A bomba rhythm, primal and unscripted, led by their playmaker, a 34-year-old journeyman named Javier “Javi” Soto. Javi had spent twelve years bouncing between the Swedish third division and the Puerto Rican winter league. Tonight, he had two goals and an assist.
The ESPN graphic on the rented bar TV said “International Friendly – Halftime” but the scoreline was not friendly at all.