With 4,000,000 Spanish-speaking inhabitants on the island, Puerto Rico's football team has an unexpectedly poor international record. They have never proven themselves even in the Caribbean zone, winning only once in 14 previous FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Their lone moment of glory came against the Dominican Republic in the qualifying process for USA 94 - the only time they have advanced past their opening home-and-away match up. Elimination by the humble hands of Aruba in 2000 to the tune of a 6-4 aggregate score did not bode well for the Puerto Ricans in the next instalment and after many difficulties, the Puerto Rican Football Association decided to forgo participation in the qualifying tournament for Germany 2006 in order to get their football house in order.

Now, after four years of hard work, the Puerto Ricans are ready to start their adventure anew and venture out into the world in the qualifying rounds for South Africa 2010 with hopes of shocking the region.