Puerto Rico Islanders News Release - www.puertoricoislandersfc.com

Friday, May 16, 2008

BAYAMON, PR -- It was a perfect night for soccer in Puerto Rico, and both the Islanders and the Timbers took full advantage of it as they finished even in their second encounter this season. Goals in minutes 20 and 23 for Puerto Rico and in minutes 26 and 83 for Portland sealed the fate of the game fate in front of 6,922 loud and fired-up fans at the Juan Ramón Loubriel.

Puerto Rico dominated at the onset with an aggressive offense and equally efficient defense, while Portland held tough. Petter Villegas threatened Ray Burse’s goal in minute 11 and then again in the 14th. But Portland answered back a minute later with a free kick by Andrew Gregor that came dangerously close to Bill Gaudette’s territory.

An assist from Kendall Jagdeosingh set up the perfect opportunity for Sandi Gbandi to blast in the first goal of the game for Puerto Rico in minute 20. The excitement of the roaring crowd was momentarily held back as Scot Thompson immediately threatened to even the score, but to no avail.

Two minutes later came the second score for the locals. A corner kick by Jonathan Steele to Petter Villegas allowed John Krause to blast a header into the back of the net. The 2-0 advantage was short lived, however.

In minute 26, with an assist from Miguel Guante, Lawrence Olum managed to put the ball past Gaudette, giving Portland a needed breather.

The setback did not placate the Islanders as they continued threatening Portland. Two corner shots, a header by Cristian Arrieta and a fantastic run down the right flank by Fabrice Noel kept Islanders fans on the edge of their seats for the balance of the first half.

Both teams came back from the break ready to continue the fierce battle. Consecutive shots to goal by Puerto Rico in minutes 55, 56 and 61, were answered back by the Timbers with equal force and speed. A free kick by Jonathan Steele in minute 65 that just barely flew over the cross bar almost gave the Islabders the advantage.

But it was Portland’s turn to get the next goal. An assist from Bryan Little gave Chris Brown the opportunity to blast a shot past Gaudette for the 2-2 scoreline in minute 83.

Despite all efforts, several substitutions and three minutes of stoppage time, to the local crowd’s dismay, neither team managed to break past the other’s defense. They both add one point to their overall scores.

The Islanders will be heading to Trinidad Tobago next week to attempt their second win of the CONCACAF Champions League qualifying round against the San Juan Jabloteh on May 25. They will see USL action once more five days later at the Juan Ramón Lobriel when they host defending champs Seattle Sounders.