2024-08-26 17:31:31
August 25, 2024 is a date that will live in the memory of Guatemalan soccer fans since it was the day that goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen lifted the League Cup title as a starter against LAFC.
Thanks to that performance with the Columbus Crew, Hagen also rose to prominence the fifth soccer player from Guatemala to be crowned champion of a team in the United States soccer league and first since 2014.
Various Guatemalan players have been part of the MLS team, but there are a few who were very happy to be able to celebrate a title.
The list is so selected that it has been reduced, not counting Nicholas Hagen, but four precedents.
Carlos Ruiz
In chronological order, Carlos “el Pescado” Ruiz was the first Guatemalan to establish himself in the MLS. In September 2002 he was instrumental in the Galaxy winning the Supporters’ Shield over the San Jose Grounds and then, on October 20, 2002, the historic forward scored the goal that gave the Galaxy its first league title in the States United .
free press, he made a special cover for that event and the cover of the sports section on October 21, 2002 showed Carlos Ruiz kissing the trophy with the legend “El Pescado Dorado.”
Cover of the sports section of Prensa Libre on October 21, 2002. (Prensa Libre Photo: Hemeroteca PL)
Freddy Garcia
Four days after the inauguration of Carlos Ruiz with the Galaxy it was the turn of Freddy García.
The Guatemalan, wearing a Columbus Crew shirt, faced the Galaxy led by the “Pescado” in the final of the Lamar Hunt Cup (now known as the US Open Cup).
“If Carlos Ruiz could have been crowned league champion with an own goal, Freddy García responded with a score to give the Columbus Crew a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy and thus be crowned Cup champion Lamar Hunt Open”, wrote the sports section free press, in the Friday, October 25, 2002 issue.
Freddy García in the October 25 edition of Prensa Libre: (Prensa Libre Photo: Hemeroteca PL)
Guillermo Ramirez
Guillermo el “Pando” Ramírez is the third man on the list of Guatemalan champions in the United States. The former Municipal and Guatemalan national team player was crowned with the Galaxy on November 13, 2005 and did so as a protagonist like his companions.
“After three years, the Guatemalan again adds to the total victory of the Los Angeles team. Guillermo “el Pando” Ramírez, with his goal, gave the MLS title to the Los Angeles team that became the monarch of the American league by defeating in the final against the New England Revolution 1-0 in overtime,” he says. free press, on November 14, 2005.
Guillermo Ramírez completed the Galaxy in 2005. (Prensa Libre Photo: Hemeroteca PL)
Marco Papa
The last Guatemalan to win a title in the United States was Marco Pablo Pappa. The skilled footballer celebrated when he wore the Seattle Sounders shirt in 2014.
The first title came on September 16 when they faced Lamar Hunt in the final against Philadelphia at PPL Park. The final score was 3-1 and Pappa entered in the 73rd minute.
“Pappa, who has just played in the final of the Uncaf Cup with the Guatemalan National Team against Costa Rica, entered the game in the 73rd minute to replace Lamar Neagle,” reports the September 17 edition of Free press. Then he also celebrated the Supporters’ Shield that Seattle took from the Galaxy.
Marco Pappa was also crowned. (Free Press Photo: PL Newspaper Library)
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