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New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Dominican Republic soccer is on a bold journey to raise hope and challenge baseball
This article is part of our Finding Fútbol series, a special feature produced by The Athletic to chronicle how the U.S.'s Hispanic communities celebrate and enrich the beautiful game. LOS ANGELES — Javier Aguirre felt the need to apologize. As the Mexico national team manager prepared his team to meet the Dominican Republic in the opening match of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, he noticed something on film. The DR soccer team wasn't just debuting in the Gold Cup to make up the numbers. The team was good. Advertisement 'If I have to be honest, I remember as a young player many years ago, the Dominican Republic had no visibility in soccer. It was known for baseball and … kind people,' Aguirre said this week. But the truth is, he wasn't so wrong. More than a few Mexico fans arriving at SoFi Stadium on Saturday joked the match might be more compelling if it were the World Baseball Classic rather than the continental soccer championship. After a spirited showing in a 3-2 loss to El Tri, with lovely goals from Peter González and Edison Azcona in defeat, it seemed everyone went home happy to have seen the teams play on the pitch instead of the diamond — and many were converted to an idea that is becoming more and more believable. The Dominican Republic might always be a 'baseball country,' but now it's a 'soccer country,' too. Marcelo Neveleff is Argentine, but he has been working as a coach in the United States since the 1990s, building a modest career that has primarily focused on working with youth players in Florida and California. In 2023, the call came for him to leave the Orlando City setup and take over as head coach of the Dominican Republic's senior men's national team. Neveleff quickly noticed that the DR had more in common with the U.S. soccer setup than it initially appeared. While the countries are very different, they are both relatively early in their development as soccer-loving nations and are still working out the best way to develop. Neveleff remembers Major League Soccer forming the Development Academy. In those matches, he watched teenagers develop into pros who quickly suited up for senior MLS teams, went abroad to Europe and eventually debuted for the U.S. senior national team. Unlike the massive U.S., however, Neveleff is optimistic the DR can borrow concepts from a nation like Uruguay, where a small group can easily scout multiple regions in the country. He is now pushing for a similar youth league to get started in the DR, where he said sometimes tournaments like the U-17 league start two days after the schedule is announced. Advertisement Even as he tries to overhaul the country's youth setup, the early results Neveleff has achieved with the DR have turned the heads not just of colleagues like Aguirre but also of other teams hoping to pry him away from the long-term plan he wants to carry out. 'You get calls and proposals to do something else, but my project — not just on the field but in life — is to leave a mark on Dominican football,' he told The Athletic before meeting Mexico. 'Maybe it's my ego or self-confidence speaking, but I'd like there to be a before and after Marcelo Neveleff. A legacy.' He's off to a good start. While the work began under previous leaders, the first significant achievement by Dominican soccer was qualifying for the 2024 Olympics, making a shocking run through the qualification rounds to the final of the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship, which was used to qualify teams for Paris. The manager used the international platform to help convince the large number of Dominican-eligible players in Spain, the United States and elsewhere to link up with the team's domestic base and raise the level not just of the U-23 team that went to the Olympics — with ex-Barcelona left back Junior Firpo one of the team's three overage players — but also the senior national team. Currently, six players on his Gold Cup roster play club soccer in Spain, and more veteran players are expected to join. Portugal-based, Germany-raised Heinz Mörschel was an early adopter. Spain-born González and Edgar Pujol, a Real Madrid youth prospect, joined up before the Olympics. While longtime Dominican target Mariano Díaz, the former Real Madrid forward, isn't participating in the Gold Cup, Nice midfielder Pablo Rosario completed his one-time switch from the Netherlands and made his debut this month. 'I couldn't say no,' Rosario told The Athletic. 'I think everyone outside the Dominican Republic thinks it's a country that didn't know about soccer, but now it's growing a lot. In a short time, we've gotten very far from where we came.' José Bautista put together a promising career as a baseball player. A six-time MLB All-Star, the Santo Domingo native is a huge soccer fan, so much so that he bought the Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship after wrapping up his playing career by representing the Dominican baseball squad at the Tokyo Olympics. Advertisement 'It's no secret why we're better in baseball than most sports: It's where we've dedicated more resources,' he tells The Athletic. 'It's the sport that at the highest level has spent more money growing within our country, arming us with a path and giving us the resources to be great at it. 'A lot of young Dominican kids love baseball and play baseball for the love of the sport, but also because there's a path out of maybe hardships into a better life through the sport.' That was the case for Bautista and hundreds of others. More than 100 Dominicans were on MLB Opening Day rosters, surpassing the number from any other country besides the United States. All 30 MLB teams have an academy in the country, which houses residential programs that generally host between 80 and 100 young hopefuls, starting at the age of 16. The Dominican Football Federation reports that 15,000 male and female players are registered in the country, indicating that soccer still has a way to go in terms of competitive numbers. 'We could use a little more participation,' Bautista said. 'Community has to invest in this, but at the end of the day, it's up to our country, it's up to our nation's sport ministry, it's up to the federation, it's up to the soccer federation, our Olympic committee members to create that pathway. Easier said than done. It's not simple to achieve, but that's where it has to be.' When soccer players begin to emulate the success that baseball players, as well as basketball players, musicians and actors have enjoyed, there is no doubt that many Dominicans passionate about their country will follow. Already, the groundbreaking showings are winning over new fans. 'I'm a baseball fan, but I've been in Arizona for 19 years and have learned to appreciate soccer,' said Bienvenido Paredes, who traveled from Phoenix to see Los Quisqueyanos' opening match against Mexico. 'For me, it's a huge source of pride, something I can't describe, that the Dominican Republic is here in SoFi Stadium. We don't have a soccer tradition, but I'm proud the world can now know us for this, too.' Advertisement While Neveleff agrees, he gave a typical manager's response about what comes after the narrow loss to Mexico. 'In the Dominican we have football, not only beaches and baseball and basketball,' he said. 'We want people to get to know the soccer culture of our country.' 'We've got to win the first game in an international tournament,' he continued. 'I think this is a good moment, without lacking respect for Costa Rica and Suriname, which are the opponents coming up. It's the challenge we have as a national team. 'We went to a U-20 World Cup, the Olympics, we played in the Pan-American Games and we couldn't achieve a victory. It's time for the national team to take that jump. When it comes, it will be another achievement to celebrate, and another moment that shows the DR is a soccer nation leaping to new heights. The Finding Fútbol series is sponsored by Modelo. The Athletic maintains complete editorial independence. Sponsors have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Mexico down Dominican Republic to open Gold Cup defence
MEXICO launched their bid for a 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup crown with a nervy 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic in Los Angeles on Saturday. Mexico looked to be cruising to a comfortable win after Edson Alvarez and Raul Jimenez scored moments either side of half-time to put the defending champions 2-0 up at SoFi Stadium. Alvarez put 'El Tri' into the lead with a thumping header from a corner on 44 minutes to make it 1-0 at half-time. Veteran striker Jimenez doubled the advantage 30 seconds after the break, finishing deftly after a clever through ball from Santiago Gimenez. However a superb individual goal from the Dominicans' Peter Gonzalez on 51 minutes -- the country's first ever Gold Cup goal -- reduced the deficit to 2-1 to spark jitters amongst the Mexico-dominated crowd of 54,309. The concern was short-lived though as Cesar Montes restored Mexico's two-goal cushion two minutes later to make it 3-1. But Edison Azcona's deflected shot on 67 minute made it 3-2 to set up a nervous finish before Mexico hung on to claim all three points in the Group A clash. Mexico are the most successful nation in Gold Cup history, winning the regional championship for Central America, North America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) a record-extending ninth time in 2023.
News18
15-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Mexico Start Title Defence With Win Over Dominican Republic
Last Updated: Goals from Edson Alvarez, Raul Jimenez, and Cesar Montes helped Mexico edge out the Dominican Republic side, who got their strikes through Peter Gonzalez and Edison Azcona. Mexico began the defence of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a win over the Dominican Republic at the SoFi Stadium in California on Sunday, with a 3-2 triumph. Goals from Edson Alvarez, Raul Jimenez, and Cesar Montes helped Mexico edge out the Dominican Republic side, who got their strikes through Peter Gonzalez and Edison Azcona. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre lauded El Tri's victory on the opening day of the event, stating, 'It was a good win to start with." 'I congratulate my team, who maintained their emotional balance. It was a hard-fought, but fair victory," the 66-year-old added. 'Our rival did a lot of merit, they demanded us, they did a good job," he acknowledged the fight put up by the Dominican Republic. 'We were patient, we scored three goals and it was an attractive match for the fans, although there are things that need to be corrected," Aguirre added. Alvarez gave Mexico the lead with a powerful header from a corner at the 44-minute mark, making it 1-0 at half-time. Veteran striker Jimenez doubled the advantage just 30 seconds after the break, skillfully finishing after a clever through ball from Santiago Gimenez. However, a brilliant solo goal by the Dominicans' Peter Gonzalez on 51 minutes—marking the country's first-ever Gold Cup goal—narrowed the deficit to 2-1, causing some anxiety among the Mexico-dominated crowd of 54,309. The concern was short-lived as Cesar Montes restored Mexico's two-goal lead two minutes later, making it 3-1. Edison Azcona's deflected shot on 67 minutes made it 3-2, setting up a tense finish before Mexico held on to secure all three points in the Group A clash. Mexico, the most successful nation in Gold Cup history, extended their record with a ninth regional championship in the 2023 edition of the Gold Cup. (With Inputs From AFP) First Published: June 15, 2025, 11:13 IST
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
CONCACAF Gold Cup: Mexico open title defence with 3-2 win over Dominican Republic
Mexico kicked off its quest for a 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title with a tense 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. West Ham's Edson Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, followed by goals from striker Raul Jimenez in the 47th and defender Cesar Montes in the 53rd, giving Mexico a 3-0 cushion before the Dominicans mounted a late fightback. Backed by a crowd of 54,309 - largely pro-Mexico - El Tri began their title defence on a winning note. Mexico is the most decorated team in Gold Cup history, having secured their ninth title in 2023. Jimenez's goal marked his 40th for the national team, moving him within six of Jared Borgetti for second place on Mexico's all-time scoring chart. Javier Hernandez remains the leader with 52 goals. 'It was a good win to start with. I congratulate my team, who maintained their emotional balance. It was a hard-fought, but fair victory," said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre . Live Events With the win, Mexico tops Group A with three points, while the Dominican Republic sits at the bottom with none. The group's other two teams, Costa Rica and Suriname, are set to clash on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, with both aiming to keep pace in the early stages of the tournament. 'We were patient, we scored three goals and it was an attractive match for the fans, although there are things that need to be corrected,' Aguirre added. Peter Gonzalez scored in the 51st minute and Edison Ascona added another in the 67th for the Dominican Republic, marking a spirited effort in their first-ever Gold Cup appearance. Mexico will look to secure a spot in the knockout stage next Wednesday when they face Suriname, while the Dominican Republic will take on Costa Rica. Both Group A matches will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 — Mexico beats Dominican Republic 3-2 in opener
Mexico launched its bid for a 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup crown with a nervy 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic in Los Angeles on Saturday. Mexico looked to be cruising to a comfortable win after Edson Alvarez and Raul Jimenez scored moments either side of half-time to put the defending champion 2-0 up at SoFi Stadium. Alvarez put El Tri into the lead with a thumping header from a corner on 44 minutes to make it 1-0 at half-time. Veteran striker Jimenez doubled the advantage 30 seconds after the break, finishing deftly after a clever through ball from Santiago Gimenez. However a superb individual goal from the Dominicans' Peter Gonzalez on 51 minutes -- the country's first ever Gold Cup goal -- reduced the deficit to 2-1 to spark jitters amongst the Mexico-dominated crowd of 54,309. The concern was short-lived though as Cesar Montes restored Mexico's two-goal cushion two minutes later to make it 3-1. But Edison Azcona's deflected shot on 67 minute made it 3-2 to set up a nervous finish before Mexico hung on to claim all three points in the Group A clash. Mexico is the most successful nation in Gold Cup history, winning the regional championship for Central America, North America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) a record-extending ninth time in 2023.
