Puerto Rico Islanders News Release - www.puertoricoislandersfc.com

Sunday, September 16, 2007

BAYAMON, PR -- The home of the Islanders was abuzz with excitement as Puerto Rico dealt a 3-0 blow to Montreal for their first-ever win over the Impact in their four-year history, gaining a well-deserved pass 5-3 on aggregate to the semifinal series of the USL First Division.

The action got on the way in the first few minutes of game after the honorary kickoff by champion boxer Ivan Calderon, with the Impact taking the first shots at the goal.

Leonardo Di Lorenzo made the first attempt in minute 15, missing the goal but managing to gain a corner kick that was not converted. Then it was Roberto Brown who took a power shot that went wide.

But the Islanders were eager to strike back. A foul on Noah Delgado by Mauro Biello in minute 27 produced a free kick that Delgado did not manage to convert.

Three minutes later, though, a fantastic long pass from Lars Lyssand found an open Noah Delgado. Delgado centered to Taiwo Atieno, who was ready to blast it in past Matt Jordan for the first goal of the game to tie the series 3-3 on aggregate.

The score was not enough for the Islanders as they kept attacking Matt Jordan’s goal, but to no avail as the first half ended 1-0 in favor of the Islanders.

As the action resumed in the second half, it was Montreal’s turn to threaten the Islander’s goalkeeper with several close shots that Saunders and his team’s brilliant defense managed to block. Puerto Rico answered the Impact’s attack with a pass from Alejandro González to Noah Delgado. Delgado’s powerful shot, however, found the back of teammate Fabrice Noel’s legs and the ball bounced out of play.

Puerto Rico kept up the pressure, but Montreal’s defense managed to keep the locals at bay. In minute 65, a scramble in front of Jordan’s area almost gave the Islanders their second goal, but Noel’s strong shot just bounced off the crossbar. Four minutes later, Noah Delgado attempted another shot that flew over the goal.

Between minutes 74 and 80 it was a corner kick fest from both teams to no avail for either side.

Then, two minutes later Victor Herrera stole a pass from Montreal. As he ran down field he passed to Noel, who returned the ball to Herrera so he could blast it into the back of the net. It was now 2-0 Puerto Rico, and Montreal began to scramble as they trailed 4-3 in the series.

But the Canadian push was not enough to beat a fantastic defense from the Islanders, led by Marco Vélez.

Well into stoppage time, the locals put the last nail in the Impact’s coffin, as Willie Sims ran alone down field and put the third and final goal of the game past Jordan.

The locals’ joy was hard to contain, as seemingly the whole 6,112 fans in attendance poured into the field to celebrate Puerto Rico’s historical achievement.