Puerto Rico Islanders News Release - www.puertoricoislandersfc.com

Thursday, May 15, 2008

BAYAMON, PR -- The Puerto Rico Islanders are in good spirits, as they look forward to hosting the Portland Timbers Friday night in what amounts to a must-win encounter for the local squad.

After losing to the current league leaders in their season opener game in Portland, and playing three homes games under less-than-perfect swampy field conditions, Puerto Rico has only managed to put three points on the big board thus far with their 3-1 victory over Miami on April 27. Today, the weather is cooperating, they will have the home field advantage, and while they have never managed a win at the PGE Park stadium, the Timbers have yet as well to win in Bayamón.

“We have certainly had a slow start this season, but it’s still early and there’s plenty of time for improvement. Portland is a tough opponent – we have not managed to beat them at home, but tonight they’re on our turf, field conditions are optimal and our players are ready to give the fans what they want,” said Islanders head coach Colin “The General” Clarke.

Portland comes to the island ready to maintain their overall league standing, and increase the one-game advantage they hold so far against their hosts. And Puerto Rico, pumped up after winning last week’s CONCACAF Champions League qualifier against the San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad Tobago, will be ready to stop the Timbers on their tracks, but they will have to do so without forward Taiwo Atieno, as he sits out the third and last game of a red card suspension he received in Portland during the season opener.

The action of this certain full-spirited match is set to kick off at 8:00 PM.