El Salvador women’s soccer head coach Eric Acuna just dropped a bombshell, threatening “harsh consequences” for his players after what he called a string of recent poor performances. This drastic move comes right before his squad faces the United States, and it follows two brutal international friendly losses to Paraguay in October.
From Bad to Worse, Then Total Collapse
The first match against Paraguay was a complete washout, with El Salvador falling 5-1. You’d think that would be the low point, right? Nope. The second game was somehow even more soul-crushing for Acuna and the team. They actually went 2-0 up before halftime, looking like they’d turned a corner. But then, it all spectacularly fell apart. Right after the second-half restart, they coughed up a goal. Then Nicolle Amaya got sent off for a second yellow card, putting them down a player and under massive pressure. They conceded the equalizer shortly after that, and then, another El Salvador player got dismissed! Reduced to nine, they eventually fell behind in the 80th minute, losing 3-2. Talk about a gut punch. These collapses are a seriously worrying lead-up to their next competitive fixtures: a pair of CONCACAF W Championship matches against the USWNT, where 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying is absolutely on the line.
Coach Acuna’s Fiery Call-Outs
Acuna did not hold back after these defeats, especially after that ugly 5-1 loss. He came after the team’s effort hard. “I just took away all the privileges from the team because, unfortunately, there can’t be any free coffees, any of these perks, or anything like that if they haven’t earned them. I’m sorry,” Acuna told the media. “They no longer have privileges. They can’t leave the training center, they can’t leave to have coffee, nothing. We have to focus on the match and clean up our image.”
But guess what? That tough-love tactic didn’t seem to have the desired effect. They still blew that two-goal lead in the next game! Acuna was left fuming. “We continue to fail. Our goalkeepers keep giving away loose balls, bouncing around; it’s complicated, but the truth is they have more experience than us,” he said. He even questioned his roster. “What this basically leaves me with is a list of players that, if I press a button, can they perform?” He’s clearly feeling the crunch for reliable talent, adding, “I have nothing on the bench to save the team.” He didn’t stop there, even calling out specific players. “No matter how much you ask for changes, you cannot compare [Sam] Fisher with Brenda [Ceren], [who] is three times the player than [her teammate] is.” It’s worth noting Fisher, the player he highlighted, just returned from tearing her ACL in August.
Players Push Back
Unsurprisingly, Acuna’s blunt criticism sparked a response from the players. Multiple squad members have since taken to social media, affirming their commitment to the national team and defending their effort on the pitch. The most impactful statement came from Brenda Ceren, which is huge considering Acuna had just praised her as a player he could trust. Her words, backing her teammates despite the coach’s clear preference for her, carry significant weight.
Now, El Salvador faces the USWNT in their CONCACAF W Championship matches, with 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying hanging in the balance. It’s time to see if Acuna’s threats and the players’ pushback can somehow forge a winning mentality, or if these cracks only get wider under pressure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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