MIAMI.- As the Concacaf Nations League begins, one team that will be closely watched by many within the Concacaf region is the Dominican Republic.
At the club and international level, the Dominican Republic has enjoyed rapid growth in the last few years.
Clubs sides Cibao FC and Atletico Pantoja qualified for the 2018 and 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions Leagues, respectively, after the formation of the professional Liga Dominicana de Futbol in 2015.
At the international level, the Dominican Republic National Team enjoyed a very good performance in Concacaf Nations League Qualifying, achieving a 2W-0D-2L record with nine goals scored and just four allowed.
If not for narrow 1-0 and 3-1 defeats to 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup sides Bermuda, the Dominican Republic would have been in the mix for a Gold Cup berth of their own.
With all that in mind, there is no question that a sense of optimism permeates throughout the Dominican Republic National team, helped in part by the goalscoring exploits of Domingo Peralta.
The 33-year-old striker scored all three of his CNLQ goals as a second half substitute in the 5-0 CNLQ win over Bonaire.
Peralta and attacker Enmy Pena will be called upon to supply the goals for the Dominican Republic in Group B against El Salvador, Montserrat and Saint Lucia.
Now that the Dominican Republic has the attention of those around the region, they will look to really turn heads with promotion to League A.
