BY PAUL BURROWES Observer writer
Monday, August 22, 2011
JAMAICAN international Nicholas Addlery, scoring his sixth goal in the North American Soccer League (NASL) Saturday night, ensured Puerto Rico Islanders rallied to edge FC Tampa Bay 2-1 at Progress Energy Park in St Petersburg, Florida.
With their fourth consecutive win, the Islanders have secured their spot in the play-offs in this second-tier American competition, behind only the US Major League Soccer (MLS).
Mike Ambersley scored his 10th goal for Tampa in the 30th minute to give them a 1-0 lead.
Addlery, fed by Noah Delgado inside the 18-yard box, responded for Puerto Rico three minutes later to level the match 1-1.
It’s now the fourth time this season that Addlery, who played for Jamaica College in the Manning Cup and Real Mona in the Major League, has scored within the 31 to 45-minute range for the Islanders.
The 29-year-old, six-foot one-inch Jamaican striker, a member of the 2009 Gold Cup squad under John Barnes, is averaging a goal every 147 minutes in the NASL.
David Foley clinched the win for the Islanders in the 75th minute.
Puerto Rico, in second place with 41 points after leaders Caroline Railhawks (48 points), will next play FC Edmonton on Saturday.
Addlery signed with the Islanders on February 18 this year and has so far played 10 matches. He scored twice against NSC Minnesota Stars and Fort Lauderdale Strikers on two different match days and once against Montreal Impact.
He is the seventh leading goal getter in the NASL, five times scoring first.
Previously Addlery has played for CD Aguila in El Salvador where he was on loan, Vancouver Whitcaps in Canada, DC United in the MLS, Long An in Vietnam, San Juan Jabloteh in Trinidad & Tobago and South Starworld Strikers also in T&T.
