Progresso, Verdes battle to 0–0 draw, all to play for in Benque

Verdes’ Krisean Lopez controls as Progresso’s Keydenshaay Bowen tackles. 📸 Verdes FC/Wilton Ixtecoc

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2025-2026 Opening Championship Final first leg ended in a tense 0–0 draw, with Progresso FC and Verdes FC cancelling each other out at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk. The greatest chance of the match fell to Progresso’s Latrell Middleton in stoppage time, but he squandered it in the 95th minute.

⚽ First Half

Progresso started brightly, pressing high and unsettling the Verdes defence. Their attacking trio of Rene Leslie, Latrell Middleton, and Keydenshaay Bowen combined well to carve out opportunities, but the finishing touch was missing.

Verdes absorbed the pressure, relying on their back line marshalled by Christian Ramírez and Darrel Myvett, while goalkeeper Woodrow West stood firm. The champions looked cautious, probing through captain Jordy Polanco and Joel Burgos, but they too failed to break down Progresso’s organised defence.

Progresso FC Starting XI – 📸 Verdes FC/Wilton Ixtecoc

🔄 Second-Half Changes

• Halftime: Verdes introduced Nahjib Guerra for Jahron Myvett and Eldon Reneau for Joel Burgos.
• 52nd minute: Walter Gomez replaced Rene Leslie for Progresso.
• 59th minute: Alden Nuñez came on for Keydenshaay Bowen, leaving Latrell Middleton as the lone survivor of Progresso’s lethal attacking trio.
• 80th minute: Verdes’ Darrel Myvett left annoyed as Daiver Vega came on.
• 86th minute: Feliz Martinez replaced Krisean Lopez for Verdes.

⚡ Key Second-Half Moments

• 69th minute: Verdes’ Christian Ramírez rattled the crossbar with a thunderous free kick.
• 77th minute: Substitute Nahjib Guerra unleashed a powerful shot, but Progresso goalkeeper Cunil controlled well.
• 79th minute: Progresso’s Latrell Middleton had a clear opportunity but blasted the ball over the bar.
• 87th minute: Verdes’ Desmond Wade came close but fired wide — close but no cigar.
• 95th minute: Middleton broke free with the greatest chance of the match but hesitated, trying to dribble into goal while being tailed. He lost the ball as Verdes keeper Woodrow West made a yeoman’s save, recovering quickly to grab the loose ball.
• 98th minute: Middleton got another break but was well covered by the Verdes defenders and couldn’t shoot, as the Verdes defence broke up the play.

Verdes’ Starting XI – 📸 Verdes FC/Wilton Ixtecoc

⏱️ Added Time

Six minutes were signalled, but the drama stretched further as both sides pushed desperately for a winner. Progresso rued Middleton’s missed opportunities, while Verdes relied on West’s composure to keep them level.

🏆 The Stakes

The first leg ends 0–0 — an extremely even match that leaves everything to play for in the second leg at Benque Viejo del Carmen next Saturday. Progresso continue their quest for a maiden championship, while Verdes chase their eighth national title.