Puerto Rico Islanders News Release - www.puertoricoislandersfc.com
Sunday, August 19, 2007
BAYAMON, PR -- Puerto Rico strengthened its positioning to earn a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory over visiting Miami Sunday evening, finishing the four-game season series against their tropical rival unbeaten at 3-0-1.
Emotions were running high throughout the entire match, as both squads played with heart and soul to secure a needed victory. But the night belonged to Willie Sims, who notched all three goals for his home team; and to Michael Behonick, who fended off several strong attacks to his goal.
Miami began with a good show of force in minute four when John Pulido took the first shot to the goal, generating a corner kick that could not be converted. Two minutes later Zinho had the chance to blast a free kick that went straight into Michael Behonick’s hands.
Then, just five minutes afterwards, Willie Sims ignited the 5,109 fans in attendance as he positioned a loose ball with his chest and assisted himself to the first goal of the evening.
In minute 23, it was Sims again trying to convert a free kick, but this time keeper Gabbard Fenelon was ready and able to diffuse the menace.
Miami came back attacking once more as Zinho threatened the locals with a great run down the left side of the field and a blast that was brilliantly saved by Behonick. Then it was Zinho in action again as he attempted to convert a free kick that flew over the crossbar. Afterwards, a power shot from Mateus Anjos made Behonick scramble for the save as Lars Lyssand finally cleared the ball out of the danger zone.
The Islanders were ready to demonstrate that they were playing on their home turf. Willie Sims immediately countered the visitors’ drive, heading a high lob from Marco Velez into the back of the net in minute 42, securing the 2-0 lead for Puerto Rico in the first half.
Miami returned from the locker room eagerly ready for action, and Puerto Rico set to defend their lead. After both Jamil Jean-Jacques and Zinho failed to convert back-to-back free kicks, it was Nico Mosquera who finally put a point on the scoreboard for the visiting team in minute 64 with the assistance of Jean-Jacques.
Miami’s eagerness, however, seemed to boil over during a disputed penalty call against Sean Fraser as he downed Fabrice Noel inside the box in minute 68. A heated discussion with the referee earned Fraser a yellow card. It was not until five minutes after the incident that Willie Sims finally turned the penalty kick to complete his hat-trick on the night.
The visiting squad struggled during the balance of the game to make up for the penalty. In minute 77, Miami’s Nacho Calcagno was downed inside the Islander’s box and it was now Sean Fraser’s turn to convert a penalty kick, but Behonick would not give him the chance, making the stop.
The Islanders almost answered back with a fantastic pass from Fabrice Noel to Lars Lyssand, who missed wide a relatively easy shot to the goal.
But in minute 89, Miami’s Sean Fraser finally got the opportunity to avenge the controversial penalty as he got a perfectly positioned pass from Nico Mosquera that he managed to blast into the back of the net.
Yet, the good effort on their part was not enough to even score and Puerto Rico got a second victory this weekend against Miami, adding another three points to their overall standing.
Today’s game began with a solemn note as the entire stadium held a minute of silence out of respect and solidarity with Islanders’ teammate Victor Herrera, who lost his father last night in Panama and had to take an emergency early-morning flight to be with his family back home.
The Islanders will stay home for the week as the get ready to host the Portland Timber next Sunday, August 26 at 5:00 P.M.
