Warren Moss and Jovaunn Ramos prepare for Rochester, shine for Belize

Jovaunn Ramos, third to the right in the bottom row, in the Belize starting XI in a 2022 match. Image courtesy of the Belize Football Federation.

In an exciting piece of headline news, new Rochester FC players Warren Moss and Jovaunn Ramos have been called up to the Belize national team to take part in the March international window CONCACAF Nations League matches that will close out Group D of League B in the tournament.

Ramos attends the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH). Ramos had three goals from 32 shots in 21 games in his freshman year at UNOH. Last year, he was All-Conference second team and All-Conference freshman first team. Ramos has four previous caps for Belize, including three Nations League games. The 20 year-old also previously played for Verdes FC in Belize.

Moss attends Indiana Tech, bringing with him a previous career within the Premier League of Belize, where he played for Wagiya FC and was named Best Midfielder for the 2021/22 season. Moss had two goals in seven games for Indiana Tech in 2022. The 23 year-old has four caps for Belize, including two previous Nations League games and two friendlies.

Belize remains an underdog in CONCACAF, with some small but bright signs of progress coming over the years. The country, formerly a British colony, began self-governance in 1964 and achieved independence in 1981. While football had already been present in Belize for decades, Belizeans began to regularly play in international football in 1995.

Belize has taken part in seven FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and made the Gold Cup for the first time in 2013, where they were paired in a group with the United States, Costa Rica, and Cuba. Ian Gaynair scored Belize’s first and only Gold Cup goal to date in that tournament, against the United States. They have also competed in the Copa Centroamericana seven times.

Prior to the March 2023 window of the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League, Belize were bottom of their group with one point from four games. That point came in a draw against French Guiana in a group also including the Dominican Republic and Guatemala.

In an official comment to Sota Soccer, Moss said that he is proud of his latest call up. He also noted his excitement to join Rochester FC in USL League Two play this summer.

“It’s always an honor to represent my country, I’m filled with joy and the desire to leave it all out there for my family, friends, and the people of Belize,” Moss said. “Making the move to Rochester is a big step in my soccer journey and I’m happy to be joining this family. I can’t wait to lace up and fight for the badge, this summer is going to be one to remember.”

Ramos also told Sota Soccer he was excited to return to the national team and represent his country. 

“It’s always a dream to play for your country at the highest level and I’m proud and honored that I get a chance to do that,” he said. “I never play for myself and now I have a whole nation I get to play for and go to war for! There is no better feeling!”

Ramos was also excited for the new challenge Rochester could provide at the club level, noting his hopes to both help and learn from the club and season.

“Coming over to Rochester is another great feeling! I’ve been working very hard to get opportunities to show my talent and I’m so grateful that [they] took a chance on me,” Ramos said. “I’m very excited for this new journey and I will come to Rochester to try and help the team get better and I have no doubt that Rochester will help me get better.”

Belize will host Guatemala on March 24, at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize. They will then play the Dominican Republic on March 27, at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.