Islanders Draw in Last Match Before Playoffs
September 22, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Puerto Rico Islanders News Release
The Puerto Rico Islanders managed a 1-1 tie with the Atlanta Silverbacks in the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. With this tie, the Islanders maintained the third spot with 41 points in the NASL standing, tying with the Carolina RailHawks to close the regular season. Next Thursday the 27th, the Islanders will be back at the Islandera for the last game of the CONCACAF Champions League Group 5 against Isidro Metapan at 8:00 p.m
The first half of the last game of the regular season started off slow. With intense action in the midfield, the match had plenty of fouls and Danny Barrera was the first to find his way into the referee's book.
The fans came alive around minute 21 when the Jamaican Stephen DeRoux made a run on the left flank to find Tyler Wilson for the first chance of the homeside.
On the 28th minute the Silverbacks offensive woke up and this time Danny Barrero found the space to launch a distance shot to Cody Laurendi's goal and opening the score.
Later on the 34th and 38th minutes of action, Justin Fojo and Hector "Pito" Ramos tried to find the back of the net respectively, but both shots went wide.
On the second half, the homeside started to step up around the 52nd minute, with Jackie Marrero trying his luck but the goalkeeper came up with the best of it.
After a battle in the midfield on the 53rd minute, Justin Fojo was able to equalize on another shot from distance after the opportunity from Pito Ramos crashed in the crossbar.
Pedro Mendes, on the 65th minute, was able to squeeze into the Puerto Rico Islanders' area but Laurendi made an easy save.
In the last minutes on the match, both teams made runs into the rivals' box from Ramos and Wilson for the Islanders and Mendes and Horth for the Silverbacks, but both Laurendi and Ati were able to guard their posts, keeping the tie.
The next matches for the Islanders will be next Thursday, September 27th on the last game of the CONCACAF Champions League Group 5 when they host Isidro Metapan and on Sunday, September 30th to start the NASL playoffs against the Minnesota Stars at 6:00 p.m.
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North American Soccer League Stories from September 22, 2012
- Islanders Draw in Last Match Before Playoffs - Puerto Rico Islanders
- RailHawks Close out Regular Season in Front of Record Crowd - North Carolina FC
- Silverbacks End 2012 Season with 1-1 Draw in Puerto Rico - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Rowdies and Carolina Play to Scoreless Draw - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - North Carolina FC
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