Football is a game of omens, of superstitions, of things that cannot be found in the stat sheet. A loss early in the season can very often be seen as a negative omen for things to come. But a victory in a preseason tournament?\u00a0 Silverware aside it gives supporters the chance to believe that their side may be destined for great things in the coming campaign.<\/p>\n

That last half is something that Atletico Nacional will hope will be true in 2018. On Saturday night in front of a very partisan crowd at Al Lang Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida the Colombian giants\u00a0<\/em>dispatched Legia Warsaw of Poland 2-0 to claim the 2018 Florida Cup.<\/p>\n

Aldo Ramirez, who is on loan from Atlas in Liga MX, scored twice for\u00a0El Verde\u00a0<\/em>while goalkeeper Christian Ramirez earned his second shutout. The win coupled with their 2-0 decision over Gremio of Brazil earned them the title in its fourth year of competition. Previous winners include FC Koln of Germany (2015), Atletico Mineiro (2016) and Sao Paulo (2017) of Brazil. As for Warsaw they finish the tournament winless having previously lost to Barcelona S.C. of Ecuador 3-2.<\/p>\n

On hand to cover the match was Prost photographer Nelson Lucindo<\/a>. For additional photos from the match check out his work on SmugMug<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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Football is a game of omens, of superstitions, of things that cannot be found in the stat sheet. A loss early in the season can very often be seen as a negative omen for things to come. But a victory in a preseason tournament?\u00a0 Silverware aside it gives supporters the chance to believe that their<\/p>\n