A Puerto Rican in Uruguay

The traditional Uruguayan football is a unkown land for many of caribbean players and people.
A reality far from the amateur leagues over many of Caribbean Football Leagues.

But since July 2018 the U20 Puerto Rico goalkeeper José Calderón, 19, is playing for
CC y D El Tanque Sisley from Uruguay. First he played for the U19 team and now he is hoping
to debut on the senior team as the competition is hoped to start next weekend.

Calderon during a game

José Calderon

José Gabriel A. Calderón Colón was born on February 3rd, 2000 in San Juan - Puerto Rico. Before
arrive in Uruguay he played for Guaynabo Gol and the most recent C.A. San Juan both from Puerto
Rico. His first national team appearences were last November in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship
where they faced United States, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, St. Vincent & Grenadines and
U.S. Virgin Island.

The opportunity to play for El Tanque Sisley happended when the uruguayan coach in Puerto Rico,
Maxi Torlacoff who invited Calderón to a sports tour to the country in South America and after that the
opportunity appeared.

José Calderón with the uniform of hs club
El Tanque Sisley

CC y D El Tanque Sisley

Founded in 1995, the Uruguayan club is based in the capital, Montivideo and receives their games in
the Victor De La Valle Stadium. The club is under the AUF - Associación Uruguaya de Fútbol and is
currently in Segunda División Professional.

The logo of CC y D El Tanque Sisley

The football in Uruguay

The goalkeeper told that the defensive and tactical aspects dominate in the differences between the
football in Uruguay and Puerto Rico. The game in the south american country is faster and far more
physical than in his country.“Training in Uruguay is physically intense, being short, but intense
sessions. It varies between moments in the tournament but it is a nice challenge”, he completes.

On the matchdays he said is more focused towards the match and adjusting the eating hours regarding
the time of it. “We get the field hour and half before and start the preparations towards the match”,
explained.

Far from home

Living in a different country he told that he see the foreigners well seen and acccepted in the South
american land. “The treatment has always been good and you can see value on getting to know and
share with other cultures”. About the adaptation he told that comes smoothly for him since the latino
culture is similar and the people are really accepting. Abou the game, he told the diffent style of
playing is something that is something that will always inflence and have to be very disciplined for that.
“I have encountred new things in the style of life bbut nothing making thee daily life difficult”, exposed.

For the future he is hoping that this year he can takes a step towards a first division team in Uruguay
or other country in South America. At National team level he hope for a call-up this year and having
the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico throughout the years.


Text: Felipe Souza