Cremas crowned as Banrural’s Copa Guate Champions

After scoring a 1-0 win on Sunday evening, the “Cremas” of the Comunicaciones Soccer Club celebrated their long awaited victory in the second edition of the Copa Guate Banrural match against their rival team the “Rojos” of the Municipal Social and Sports Club.

Banrural’s soccer league has created a new level of Guatemalan recognition, as Guates continue to share their culture, passion and love for the sport. Featured at the BMO Stadium, the friendly match had some of the top best players and coaching staff, guaranteeing fans a great game between both teams,“a classic of Guatemalan soccer”.

The stadium’s gates opened early, as fans were presented with Guatemalan band Alex Nuhual, welcoming fans with a celebration before the exciting match between two of Banrural’s best soccer clubs.

Despite the stadium not reaching its full soccer match capacity, Banrural’s General Manager Juan Luis Fonseca, expressed his gratitude towards the passionate fans that were still able to attend and disregard their fears.

“Today was truly a celebration! We're very happy, but above all, grateful, very grateful. 6,000 Guatemalans came. We know the situation today isn't ideal [because] they're a little fearful, but even so, that's what this Guatemalan is like. Brave, hardworking, entrepreneurial, and deeply rooted.” said Fonseca.

With just 34 minutes into the match, the Cremas’ captain and midfielder José Manuel “Moyo” Contreras, scored his first goal of the match through a direct freekick after the Rojos’ defender, Carlos Estrada, fouled Cremas’ forward, Brian Martinez.

The intensity of the game kept the crowd alive as fans continued to chant for their favorite teams. Their passion and rage for the game only fueled the players as many became aggravated for the various fouls that were not being called, resulting in verbal and physical exchanges amongst each other. 

After falling on the ground from challenging Cremas’ defender Rafael Morales during the 66th minute, Rojos’ midfielder César Archila launched at Cremas’ defender Ernesto Monreal, after he struck the ball towards Archila’s direction, withholding the play from continuing. Seconds later, Rojos’ defender Cristian Jiménez hit Martinez, creating more tension as the referee dismissed the incident and continued the play. Four minutes later, Estrada is seen playing aggressively towards Moyo and Cremas’ midfielder Lynner García, causing both to fall, yet no card seemed to be called on Estrada. With just 20 minutes left on the clock, eight minutes of stoppage time were added due to many disruptions caused by on-field altercations. 

Although the Cremas defeated the Rojos by one point, both teams played fairly well as there were a couple of instances where a few goals could’ve been made within the first half. In the 6th minute, Rojos’ midfielder, John Méndez, assisted Estrada in the box, giving Rojos an advantage to strike but Estrada’s shot was wide of the goal. García also came close to scoring in the 12th minute as he received a precise pass from Cremas’ midfielder Juan Blanco. 

As both teams pushed to claim the Copa Guate, the tension on the field became inevitable. Regardless of the result, the passion and love for the game was evident in both players and the fans.

“Today we're happy. We lost last time and we were very upset, but winning this time gives us a boost because we played well,” said Moyo.

Passionate fans like Billy, felt very emotional and ecstatic to bring their Guatemalan culture to the BMO stadium, especially in the crucial moments that the city of Los Angeles is currently going through. 

“Right now, I'm happy knowing this is a Guatemalan classic that we experience intensely two or three times a year. Now, we feel even more passionate about it here in Los Angeles, California,” said Billy.

While the Cremas celebrate their victory, the Rojo’s are proud of coming thus far, accepting their loss of the Copa Guate.

“We always work with the goal of getting a result, and that's what my players prepare hard for during the week. Obviously, a loss is also part of the game. Today was our turn to lose. We had many matches without a defeat and well, we'll have to move forward, make corrections, work and continue improving,” said Rojos coach, Mario Acevedo. 

In hopes of continuing the Guatemalan Banrural soccer league every year, Fonseca is adamant about making it a yearly tradition where there will be stadiums filled with Guates from all parts of the world.

“We're not part of a federation because we want to bring celebration, joy and entertainment to migrants. Therefore, I don't see it as an official tournament. I'd like to see it as a tradition. A celebration that everyone looks forward to every September… And hopefully next year, the conditions will be perfect for us to fill this stadium. I won't stop living today until I fill it; there are enough Guatemalans [to fill it],” said Banrural General Manager, Fonseca.