SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– Sometimes the most important lessons a coach can learn come in defeat.
Such is the experience for Puerto Rico National Team Head Coach Amado Guevara, whose team fell 1-0 to Saint Kitts and Nevis in its opening match of 2019/20 Concacaf Nations League Qualifying last week.
It was a bit cruel for the Boricua side, as it delivered a very solid defensive performance only to miss out on gaining a point when hosts Saint Kitts and Nevis scored in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
Still, the ever-optimistic Guevara believes there were many good things to take away from the defeat.
“I saw a lot of positive things from my team,” said Guevara in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com.
“I think collectively we had a good idea about our play, and we got some very good individual performances, especially from our goalkeeper [Cody Laurendi],” added Guevara.
Up next for Guevara’s team is a home date on October 15 versus Martinique in what should be an emotional match for everyone on the island of Puerto Rico, as it will be Puerto Rico’s first home match since last fall’s Hurricane Maria.
“It will be special for the people and for us as well. It will be a wonderful match and we will look to win it,” said Guevara.
This spell at the helm of Puerto Rico marks Guevara’s first foray into the coaching world. After a sensational 21-year career, the former Honduras international feels like he is making the adjustment to life on the sidelines.
“It is a change that one feels a lot. You have to be able to transmit your ideas to the players. You have to manage more things. As a player you only worry about playing. Coaching is different, but it is everything that I expected and I’m enjoying it,” said Guevara.
As a long-time competitor in the Concacaf region and now a coach, Guevara also appreciates Concacaf’s Nations League initiative to improve football across the region.
“I think it’s a really goo idea. The only way to get better is to play competitive matches and now players from all nations can develop more and grow as footballers,” concluded Guevara.
