Porfirio Armando Betancourt
Encyclopedia
Porfirio Armando Betancourt, born October 10, 1957 in Lima
, Honduras
, is a retired Honduran football player.
and his two uncles played for Club Deportivo Platense
. As a youth player, he played for the Honduran Brewery club beginning in 1976. He was called up Honduran national coach Rodolfo Godoy to play for the Honduran U-20 team for the qualification tournament for the 1977 FIFA Youth Cup. Betancourt scored 11 goals while leading Honduras to an undefeated record and a berth in the Cup. The Hondurans went 2-1 in group play, but failed to qualify for the second round. Betancourt graduated from Escuela Internacional Sampedrana
. In 1979, he entered Indiana University
, in the United States, where he would play men’s college soccer for three seasons (see photo). He scored 20 goals and assisted on 12 more his freshman year, earning first team All American
honors. That season, the Hoosiers went to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
Betancourt joined the Honduran Olympic team for the 1980 Summer Olympics
qualification tournament. When Honduras joined the U.S.-led boycott of the games, Betancourt returned to Indiana.
For the 1980 collegiate season, Betancourt saw a drop off in his scoring, bagging 17 goals and assisting on 16 others. However, this was good enough to earn him second team All American honors. While Betancourt saw a personal slump, his team made it to the NCAA championship game
where it lost to the powerhouse University of San Francisco
team. His third season with the Indiana showed Betancourt at the top of his game. He scored 27 goals, assisted on 9 more. He was showered with accolades, earning first team All America
, and winning the Hermann Trophy
as the best collegiate player that year. While Betancourt left Indiana University after his junior year in order to play for Honduras in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
, he is still considered one of the greatest collegiate players ever. Soccer America Magazine
named him the Player of the Decade (1980s) and placed him on its College Team of the Century
. In 1992, Indiana University inducted Betancourt into its Hall of Fame.
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL) selected Betancourt in the first round (12th overall) in the college draft. Betancourt declined to sign with the Steamers and instead returned to Honduras to make himself eligible for the Honduran national team, then beginning qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
. When he returned to Honduras, he joined Real CD España. While Betancourt failed to play any of the Honduran qualification games, national team manager José de la Paz Herrera
called up Betancourt to replace the injured Jimmy James Bailey. Betancourt would go on to play every minute of Honduras’ three games (0-2-1 record) during the cup.
After the World Cup, Betancourt moved to France to pursue a professional career with Racing Club Strasbourg
, which played in the French First Division
at the time. He joined Strasbourg in June 1982 and remained with the team until June 1984. During his time with Strasbourg, he played 38 league games, scoring 5 goals. He played another 7 cup games, but scored no goals in them.
Betancourt returned to the U.S. and signed with the St. Louis Steamers
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL) for the 1984-1985 season. In 1985, he was on the roster of Spanish club CD Logroñés
, then playing in the Spanish First Division
.
In 1985, Betancourt was called up to the Honduran national team for its qualification campaign for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
. While Betancourt scored 3 times, Honduras failed to make the cup finals. Betancourt returned to the U.S. and played with the Kansas City Comets
of MISL during the 1987-1988 pre-season.
He then returned to Honduras where he played for Marathón
in 1988. He then moved to Florida where he lived for several years before returning to Honduras to enter politics.
La Lima
La Lima is a municipality in the Honduran department of Cortés. It is home to the corporate headquarters of the Tela Railroad Company, a subsidiary of Chiquita. The city is divided into two halves, La Lima Vieja, located on the western side of the Chamelecon River, and La Lima Nueva, located on...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, is a retired Honduran football player.
Youth
Betancourt grew up in a soccer family. His father, Porfirio Betancourt played for Club Deportivo OlimpiaClub Deportivo Olimpia
Club Deportivo Olimpia is a Honduran football and baseball club based in Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán. They compete in the Liga Nacional de Honduras, the top division in the country, and play their home matches in the Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino...
and his two uncles played for Club Deportivo Platense
Club Deportivo Platense
Club Deportivo Platense is a Honduran football club, located in Puerto Cortés, Cortés. The club was founded on 4 July 1960.-History:According to the records available, the following people attended Club Platense: René Paíz, Roger Riera, Roberto Mejía, Roosevelt Garbut, Manuel Flores, Héctor...
. As a youth player, he played for the Honduran Brewery club beginning in 1976. He was called up Honduran national coach Rodolfo Godoy to play for the Honduran U-20 team for the qualification tournament for the 1977 FIFA Youth Cup. Betancourt scored 11 goals while leading Honduras to an undefeated record and a berth in the Cup. The Hondurans went 2-1 in group play, but failed to qualify for the second round. Betancourt graduated from Escuela Internacional Sampedrana
Escuela Internacional Sampedrana
Escuela Internacional Sampedrana, EIS is located in the affluent Lomas del Potosí neighborhood of San Pedro Sula, Cortés Department, Honduras.Founded in 1953, its mascot is the Bulldog...
. In 1979, he entered Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, in the United States, where he would play men’s college soccer for three seasons (see photo). He scored 20 goals and assisted on 12 more his freshman year, earning first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
honors. That season, the Hoosiers went to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
Betancourt joined the Honduran Olympic team for the 1980 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1980 Summer Olympics
thumb|right|Official Programme of the match [[USSR]] vs [[Venezuela]]The football tournament at the 1980 Summer Olympics started on July 20 and ended on August 2. Only one event, the men's tournament, was contested...
qualification tournament. When Honduras joined the U.S.-led boycott of the games, Betancourt returned to Indiana.
For the 1980 collegiate season, Betancourt saw a drop off in his scoring, bagging 17 goals and assisting on 16 others. However, this was good enough to earn him second team All American honors. While Betancourt saw a personal slump, his team made it to the NCAA championship game
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
where it lost to the powerhouse University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
team. His third season with the Indiana showed Betancourt at the top of his game. He scored 27 goals, assisted on 9 more. He was showered with accolades, earning first team All America
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
, and winning the Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
as the best collegiate player that year. While Betancourt left Indiana University after his junior year in order to play for Honduras in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, he is still considered one of the greatest collegiate players ever. Soccer America Magazine
Soccer America Magazine
Soccer America Magazine is a national American magazine devoted to soccer founded in the early 1970s and is still being published. Its primary focus is soccer in the United States, but it also covers the international game extensively. It was begun by publisher Clay Berling during a period of...
named him the Player of the Decade (1980s) and placed him on its College Team of the Century
Soccer America College Team of the Century
The Soccer America College Team of the Century were chosen by the editors of the American periodical Soccer America to comprise, as one men's and one women's eleven-member side divided each as one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards, the best players of collegiate...
. In 1992, Indiana University inducted Betancourt into its Hall of Fame.
Professional
On October 27, 1981, the St. Louis SteamersSt. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL) selected Betancourt in the first round (12th overall) in the college draft. Betancourt declined to sign with the Steamers and instead returned to Honduras to make himself eligible for the Honduran national team, then beginning qualification for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
. When he returned to Honduras, he joined Real CD España. While Betancourt failed to play any of the Honduran qualification games, national team manager José de la Paz Herrera
José de la Paz Herrera
José de la Paz Herrera Ucles is a famous Honduran footballer and coach. Best known as Chelato, he grew up in Soledad, Honduras, a small town of the municipality of El Paraíso in extreme poverty....
called up Betancourt to replace the injured Jimmy James Bailey. Betancourt would go on to play every minute of Honduras’ three games (0-2-1 record) during the cup.
After the World Cup, Betancourt moved to France to pursue a professional career with Racing Club Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
, which played in the French First Division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
at the time. He joined Strasbourg in June 1982 and remained with the team until June 1984. During his time with Strasbourg, he played 38 league games, scoring 5 goals. He played another 7 cup games, but scored no goals in them.
Betancourt returned to the U.S. and signed with the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL) for the 1984-1985 season. In 1985, he was on the roster of Spanish club CD Logroñés
CD Logroñés
Club Deportivo Logroñés, S.A.D. was a Spanish football team based in Logroño, in the autonomous community of La Rioja. Founded in 1940, it last played in Regional Preferente de La Rioja....
, then playing in the Spanish First Division
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
.
In 1985, Betancourt was called up to the Honduran national team for its qualification campaign for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. While Betancourt scored 3 times, Honduras failed to make the cup finals. Betancourt returned to the U.S. and played with the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
of MISL during the 1987-1988 pre-season.
He then returned to Honduras where he played for Marathón
Club Deportivo Marathón
Club Deportivo Marathón is an Honduran football club which currently plays in the in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras in San Pedro Sula.-History:...
in 1988. He then moved to Florida where he lived for several years before returning to Honduras to enter politics.