Puerto Rico Islanders

Week 11 Pro honors announced

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the USL First Division and USL Second Division Team of the Week honors Tuesday for Week 11 of the season, honoring Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Steele and Crystal Palace’s Sergio Flores as the Players of the Week, respectively.

Having exchanged last place in the table with the Rochester Rhinos over the past few weeks, the Puerto Rico Islanders used a pair of victories over the Minnesota Thunder and a Rhino loss in Charleston to move four points clear of the cellar on the weekend behind the efforts, in part, of former Rhino Jonathan Steele.

Ina stalemate of an opening meeting Friday, a penalty from defender Cristian Arrieta proved the difference as Steele helped lead the Islanders to their third win in 10 games. Two nights later Steele took a more prominent role in the attack.

The scoring opened when Arrieta found a wide open Steele, who made a brilliant assist, allowing Josh Hansen to put the ball past Nicolas Platter for goal number one 28 minutes in. Another 28 minutes later, he began the play that led to doubling the lead. Steele found an open Noah Delgado, who in turn assisted Sandy Gbandi for the goal, giving the locals the 2-0 advantage in minute 56.

Steele scored his first goal of the year 25 minutes later on an assist from Andres Cabrero nine minutes from time to put the match out of reach with Minnesota adding a consolation strike with four minutes left to leave it 3-1. It was Steele’s third goal in five years in USL-1.

With second place Cleveland playing to a second consecutive scoreless draw, Crystal Palace Baltimore used the opportunity to move within one point of what would be a first round playoff bye with a 2-1 victory at Real Maryland Sunday courtesy of reserve striker Sergio Flores.

With a US Open Cup contest against the New York Red Bulls two nights further down the schedule, Palace took an opportunity against the Monarchs, who were in the lower half of the table, to rest a number of regular starters, including star strikers Gary Brooks and Matthew Mbuta. Sergio Flores relished the opportunity and proved himself on the night with a goal and assist.

After receiving the ball from Flores in the 34th minute, Cecil Lewis beat two Real Maryland defenders and found himself with Flores in the box with just the ’keeper to beat. Lewis opted to do it himself, calmly slotting the ball home past the charging Zelaya.

With the game level in the 55th minute, it was another nice build-up from Palace as Kevin King crossed from the right corner. Flores was all set to head the ball in from eight yards out but Zelaya leapt high to pluck the ball off the Palace striker’s head.

Palace’s inevitable second goal and game-winner came just sixty seconds later. King suddenly popped up on the left side, out-muscled his marker on his run into the box, forcing his way around the defender. As King bore down on goal, Zelaya committed himself, leaving Flores wide open 10 yards out. King fed the ball perfectly to the feet of Flores and, despite the best efforts of a Real defender scrambling back to the cover the goal, Flores buried his finish to restore Palace’s lead as they held on for the win.

Puerto Rico meets Miami Friday on FSC
Surging sides square off in tropical showdown - 8:00 ET

TAMPA, FL – The Miami FC Blues play host to the Puerto Rico Islanders Friday, July 4th on Fox Soccer Channel at 8:00 pm ET in a battle of two clubs in the lower half of the table that have found success of late and are charging up the ladder.

Puerto Rico firmly pulled themselves out of last place over the past weekend with a pair of wins over the Minnesota Thunder, and are poised to possibly make a jump all the way from 10th to fifth in one of the tightest USL First Division campaigns in league history.

Having qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League and with the distractions of the national team finished with its elimination from World Cup qualifying, the Puerto Rican side is finding its form behind the leadership of midfielders Noah Delgado and Jonathan Steele.

Miami, meanwhile, has gone their last seven games without a loss, but have seen minimal upward momentum due to six of the seven decisions resulting in only one point. The club is buoyed, however, by the fact that its defense has become one of the best in the league, allowing its first goal during the seven-game run in their last outing, a 1-1 draw in Vancouver on the back end of a two-game road trip across the continent.

Star Brazilian striker Alex Afonso, the current league leader in points, is drawing the attention of defenses across the league, but the work of Miami’s defense, led by goalkeeper Josh Saunders, is proving to be stronger as the Blues find other methods to score.

A win against the Islanders could similarly catapult Miami up the table as they currently sit one point in front of Puerto Rico in a table where the gap between third and 10th is only six points.

The two sides split their two-game set in Puerto Rico earlier this season, making Friday’s contest the deciding match between the two for the regular season campaign. Miami won the first game 2-0 April 25 on goals from Sean Cameron and Juan Pablo Galavis. Puerto Rico replied with a 3-1 victory two nights later. The Islanders’ Victor Herrera and Afonso traded penalties in the first half with defender Osei Telesford and striker Taiwo Atieno tallying for Puerto Rico in the second stanza. Cristiano Dias (two caustions) and Christian Arrieta (straight red) were sent off for Miami and Puerto Rico, respectively, late in the match on separate occasions.

Next USL on FSC Match: The Seattle Sounders visit the Rochester Rhinos on Friday, July 11 at PAETEC Park. The game is at 8:00 pm ET on Fox Soccer Channel.

Miami slips by Puerto Rico 1-0

MIAMI, FL -- Miami FC squared off against the Puerto Rico Islanders in a wet July 4th encounter at Tropical Park that finished 1-0 in favor of the hosts on a seventh minute penalty.

The Blues were looking to get back on the winning track after their very close defeat to FC Dallas in the US Open Cup last Tuesday (2-1). Coming into tonight’s game Miami was unbeaten in their last 7 league games and they added another game to that record. After an 65-minute rain delay the two region rivals finally got underway in what proved to be an exciting match.

As usual left-back Walter Ramirez started the game off with some excellent runs down the left side and provided some excellent service early into the game.

Then in the 7th minute a penalty was called on Puerto Rico Islanders Edwin Miranda for pulling back Sean Fraser in the area while trying to get to the ball. Miami FC forward Alex Afonso slotted it home to the bottom right side which completely tricked the keeper. This was Alex Alfonso’s eighth goal of the season.

Sean Fraser in the 19th minute then went on to unleash an incredible shot from outside the area which forced the Islanders’ keeper to pull off an equally impressive save in the top left corner.

The Miami defenders which have been outstanding during the 7 game streak played just as well in the first half. Puerto Rico had very few opportunities and the ones they did have were not very good or stopped at Josh Saunders.

In the 42nd minute Walter Ramirez gave his defender a few moves then crossed in a dart of a ball for Alex Afonso which he narrowly headed just wide of the right post.

After halftime both teams tried to gain control of the game and there were not many good chances until the 69th minute when Puerto Rico had their best opportunity of the game but Miami goalkeeper Josh Saunders showed why he leads the league in shutouts when he pulled off another incredible save from a powerful shot right in front of goal.

Chances were hard to come by in the second half as both teams wrestled for control of the game. But it remained close as both teams were doing everything they could to score. Four minutes were added to the dismay of the Miami FC faithful but Puerto Rico just could not find a way through the Blues defense. The 3 valuable points ended up in Miami’s hands as the game ended 1-0.

Josh Saunders continued his streak of not allowing a goal at home since May 16th and added another shutout to his league leading collection.

After such a stellar performance by the whole team it was only fitting that there would be a spectacular fireworks show immediately after the game. Six minutes of fireworks lit up the sky at Tropical Park Stadium for all the fans to enjoy.

Miami FC will now travel to Rochester to face the Rhinos on the 13th. Miami's next home match at Tropical Park is on July 27th against the Atlanta Silverbacks. Group tickets are currently on sale by visiting http://www.miamifc.com/ or by calling 305-728-2612. Single game tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-57-MIAMI. Watch all other USL games live on USL Live!

Impact fall 1-0 to Puerto Rico
Despite dominating 18-4 in shots, the Montreal Impact (4-7-3; 15 points) lost 1-0 to the Puerto Rico Islanders (5-5-3; 18 points), Sunday, in front of 13,034 spectators at Saputo Stadium

Puerto Rico wins 2-0 in Portland
First-half strikes by Fabrice Noel and Josh Hansen led the Puerto Rico Islanders to a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in front of 10,042 at PGE Park on Thursday. Acquired in a trade on Wednesday, new Timbers forward Jamil Walker made his Timbers debut against the Islanders