February 22, 2009
PR ISLANDERS FC News Release
The Puerto Rico Islanders fell short in the exhibition game against the DC United of the Major League Soccer (MLS). The Islanders came out very aggressive in the beginning of the first half, creating many goal opportunities. Noah Delgado and the new offensive players Martín Nuñez and Nick Addlery were very close to open the score board.
Five minutes into the game, defensive line-back Scott Jones crossed a wonderful ball to Nick Addlery who headed it to Nuñez, but the visiting goalkeeper Nick Platter was able to get a hand in Nuñez attack. Sandy Gbandi was there for the rebound and this time it was the DC United’s defensive line that was able to block the shot.
Noah Delgado also had a couple of headers looking for the first goal of the game, but both were stopped by Platter.
The visiting team took about 30 minutes to get a chance on goal. Midfielder and captain Jaime Moreno and forward Francis Doe were causing a lot of action for DC United. By the end of the first half, the visiting team had more ball possession but still went scoreless into half-time.
The DC United came out stronger in the second half controlling the midfield and counteracting the Islanders attack. In the 57th minute the DC United score their first goal. After PR Islanders defender Cristian Arrieta committed a foul near the box, Cristian Gómez took the free kick and the ball went past goalkeeper Bill Gaudette making it 1-0 for DC United. The Islanders tried to level up twice but Platter was there for the saves.
DC United’s Clyde Simms took a long shot in the 66th minute that went past Gaudette for the 2-0. PR Islanders coach Colin Clarke brought in some offensive players in Andrés Cabrero, Kendall Jagdeosingh and Sean Fraser, while adding some speed to the midfield with James Marcelin. The Islanders had a couple of changes once again and kept the pressure which caused a penalty kick in the 89th minute when Jonathan Steele was brought down in the box. Cristian Arrieta took the penalty kick making it a 2-1 final score.
This was the last game of the PR Islanders preparation towards their historic Quarterfinal two-legged series against CD Marathon of Honduras in the CONCACAF Champions League. The first leg will be held at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on Thursday, February 26th at 8:00pm ET. Tickets will be sold at the Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:00pm to 8:00pm, on Thursday (game day) from 1:00pm and thru Ticket Pop network at http://ticketpop.com/ or 1 (866) 294-0001.
