The USL recently announced that the USL-1 will be expanding into New York City in the 2010 season. This would increase by two new teams in 2010, with the Tampa Bay Rowdies also starting in the USL-1.
You can find the USL news release here: USL
Match Preview: PR Islanders vs Rochester Rhinos
April 23, 2009
Courtesy of: Jeannette Quiñones / Islandersfc.net
By: PasionNaranja
Tomorrow night at 8:oopm, the Islanders will have their second match of the season when they receive the Rochester Rhinos at the Juan Ramon Loubriel stadium.
The Rhinos are coming from a 1-0 loss to the Carolina RailHawks on the road. On the other hand, the Islanders won 2-1 last week against the 2008 USL-1 Champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps. The last time these two teams met was in the 2008 post-season when the Islanders beat the Rhinos 3-2 on aggregate to pass to the USL Final.
While the Rochester team has a long history in the USL, there are many questions surrounding this team as it starts the 2009 season. The Rhinos are going through some financial trouble and this in our opinion will affect them on and off the pitch. Recently, the Rhinos dropped the PAETEC name off their stadium as the company decided not to renew their naming rights for PAETEC Park (now simply named Rochester Rhinos Stadium); and also as a cost saving measure, the team roster only includes 20 players – the lowest in team history.
More than just having been reduced, the Rochester roster does not seem to have been improved on during the off-season. While they lost star defender Scott Palguta, the team did not seem to pick up any player of note. The only new Rochester player of note, is the ex-Islanders striker Taiwo Atieno. While Atieno certainly had his moments, and has proved to be able to produce the goals here and there, he is certainly not a player we foresee making a significant impact on the team.
Also, it must be noted that at last week’s match vs the RailHawks, Rochester received two red cards so they will be missing two players this week: Danny Earls and John Ball. This is yet another factor weighing against the Rhinos.
On the Islanders side, last season’s MVP continues to be nursing an injury. Star goal keeper is also a bit questionable as he seems to have been lightly injured after he Cruz Azul game in Mexico City and did not look 100% at last week’s match. Not having Gaudette in front of the net certainly makes a difference, if that were to happen this week, but it would also be a good idea to give new backup goalkeeper Chris McClellan some minutes and see what he’s made of.
Looking at all these factors, we think the Islanders will make themselves felt at home. We expect a 3-1 (or 3-0) win tomorrow night.
For another commentary (in Spanish) on the Rochester Rhinos, please visit:
And from the same website, you will find a match preview here:
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Posted by KVD
Austin Chronicle: Islanders USL-1 Title Favorites
April 22, 2009The Austin Chronicle has published a forecast for the USL-1 2009 season. In the forectas, the newspaper ranks the Islanders 1st, as favorites to win the league title this year. They are followed in 2nd place and 3rd pace by the Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps respectively. Interesting that the top 3 teams are all non US clubs.
You can read more here: Austin Chronicle
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ENDI: Honran a Addlery
April 22, 2009Honran a Addlery
Premiado. Nick Addlery (centro), delantero de los Islanders, anotó los dos goles de la victoria del sábado y fue nombrado al equipo de la semana de la USL por esa actuación.
El delantero de los Islanders fue incluido en el equipo de la semana de la USL
Por Osman Pérez Méndez / operez@elnuevodia.com
NIck Addlery fue incluido en el Equipo de la Semana del torneo de la Primera División de la United Soccer Leagues (USL-1), gracias a su gran actuación en el juego inaugural de los Islanders de Puerto Rico, en que el delantero jamaiquino anotó los dos goles de la victoria 2-1.
El sábado Addlery anotó su primer gol ante los campeones defensores Whitecaps de Vancouver a los seis minutos, para conseguir el empate temporero a 1-1, y luego volvió a marcar a los 39 minutos para darle a la ‘Tropa Naranja’ su primera victoria y además una esperada revancha ante Vancouver.
El delantero Marcus Haber, autor del gol de Vancouver en el partido sabatino disputado en el Juan Ramón Loubriel bayamonés, también se ganó un espacio en el onceno estelar.
El premio de Jugador de la Semana recayó en el delantero de Miami, Diego Serna, autor de un gol y dos asistencias en la victoria de su equipo 3-1 sobre el debutante Cleveland.
El resto del equipo estelar quedó conformado por el portero Dusty Hudock (Charleston), los defensas Lyle Admas (Austin), Nevio Pizzolitto (Montreal), Frankie Sanfilippo (Charleston) y Jack Stewart (Carolina), y los mediocampistas Leonardo di Lorenzo (Montreal), Tsuyoshi Yoshitake (Charleston) y Josh Gardner (Carolina).
Mientras, en las filas de la ‘Tropa Naranja’ hay algunos jugadores que arrastran lastimaduras del duro partido ante Vancouver, aunque no parecen de gravedad.
“Tenemos algunos lastimados”, admitió el dirigente Colin ‘General’ Clarke, quien conversó con El Nuevo Día luego de la práctica de ayer en la tarde.
Durante el partido, Domenic Mediate tuvo que ser remplazado luego que se lesionara en una acción ofensiva. Addlery sufrió un fuerte golpe en un hombro tras caer aparatosamente en un intento de gol que fue bloqueado por un defensor rival. Y el portero Bill Gaudette se le vio resentido en su caminar tras el partido.
“Nick ya está bien, hoy estuvo entrenando y no debe tener problemas. A (Domenic) Mediate lo vamos a evaluar día a día. Lo mismo con Bill (Gaudette)”, dijo.
“Tuvimos un gran partido. Es importante sacar esos tres puntos en el partido inicial. También tuvimos dos buenos goles contra un equipo como Vancouver. Pero ahora nuestra atención está en el partido del viernes” (contra Rochester, a las 8:00 p.m. en el Loubriel).
Fifa reconoce a los Islanders
El portal oficial de la FIFA volvió a dedicar un artículo a la Tropa Naranja, que durante el martes se mantuvo como uno de sus temas en la portada.
El artículo destaca la gran campaña de los Islanders en la Liga de Campeones de la Concacaf, e incluye varios comentarios de una entrevista que le hizo fifa.com al dirigente Colin Clarke.
El artículo colma de elogios a la ‘Tropa Naranja’ con calificativos como sorprendente, matagigantes, sensacional, extraordinario, entre otros.
“Es importante que la gente reconozca lo que hemos logrado. Es muy bueno para los muchachos, para que se reconozca todo el esfuerzo que han hecho”, dijo un satisfecho Clarke.
“Ya estamos pensando en la próxima edición (de la Liga de Campeones de la Concacaf)”, concluyó.
Source: El Nuevo Dia
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USL-1 Week 2 USL Live Recap
April 22, 2009Here you’ll be able to find a brief video recap of last week’s USL-1 matches:
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MFUSA: USL-1 Project
April 22, 2009Jacon, writer of the MatchFitUSA blog has an ongoing project of picking a team to support in the USL-1. Of course, we think that team should be the Puerto Rico Islanders.
For more on the USL-1 Project visit his note here: MFUSA
For his profile on the Islanders you can see his post here: MFUSA
We think having an outstanding blog like MFUSA follow the USL-1 and the Islanders would be great for all parties involved. The Islanders are shaping up to be a team that can represent people from all over, unlike other USL teams – it has a much widers fan base.
We would like to encourage all you Islanders fans to write MFUSA and tell Jason to support our team. Send hima brief note on why he should follow the Islanders, and maybe what they mean to you. He can be reached at:
Our reasons on why he should support the Islanders (taken from our e-mail to him):
CCL Run
The great showing the Islanders had in the Concacaf Champions League would be a major point for the team. They were the only non-Mexican team in the final four and only were kept out of the Final by a penalty shootout round.
Also, of the teams that made it to that stage, the Islanders had the most games in reching said stage. To get to that point the Islanders had to qualify by way of the 3 berths afforded to the Caribbean by playing in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship. Then they had to yet again qualify into the group stage by playing Costa Rica’s Alajuelense which no one thought we would beat. In the group stage we also surprised everyone by beating the Mexican champion Santos Laguna in Puerto Rico 3-1 and then qualifying for the quarterfinals. We would have yet another tough obstacle in Hondura’s Marathon. Marathon was first in its group, what many called the Group of Death with DC United, Cruz Azul, etc. Then, the team made it into the semi-finals and managed to stun Cruz Azul in Bayamon, PR by 2-nil. Our first run in the CCL and an amazing one at that.
This effort gave the team a lot of attention around the world and they were recently featured in FIFA.com: http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1049768.html
How many USL-1 teams have been able to do that?
Team effort
Another thing that is very attractive about the Islanders is that they are a team devoid of ‘stars’. We don’t have a main player who always has to score out goals, instead as our captain Noah Delgado said recently: every player on the roster is our star player. Our main goal marker last year was one of our main defenders. And I think this whole team concerted effort is what has been making us consistently good on the field, and was also responsible for the CCL run. We had the league MVP, Goal Keeper of the year, and defender of the year last season because everyone on the pitch improves the condition of everyone else.
Underdogs
The Islanders were definite underdogs in the CCL, and even if many people hold them as favorite for the USL title this year, there’s still an air of being the underdogs for the Islanders. We might not have the nicest stadium (even though there’s a plan to expand and improve it), the fanciest adversitsement, etc – but the players and the team have tons of heart. Other teams might have a lot more money, but I like that our players have shown what really matters on the pitch – heart.
Country involvement
Considering that your website is dedicated to increase the exposition and understanding of soccer in the US, I think that the Islanders are a showcase team of how a club can be deeply involved with their community and country. As you might know, Puerto Rico like the US is not a soccer country. Baseball, basketball, boxing, and volleyball are much more popular. Soccer teams have always had a hard time in receiving any exposition in the country. Ever since the Islanders made it to town, this has been changing. The amazing success of the Islanders has made soccer interest explode in the Island. Last year Puerto Rico began its first professional soccer league, for example. The national team has received more attention. Soccer camps and clubs for youth are growing at an incredible pace. Soccer stadiums and fields are in the plans all over the Island. The Islanders have truly created a soccer scene in Puerto Rico where there was barely one before.
We don’t recall hearing of another single club that has has so much impact on the success of the sport in a country before, practically single handedly.
A team of nations
Something we also like about this team is how diverse it is. We have players from the US, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland, etc. I think this also helps in making the team feel like a group effort, something that everyone involved can be proud of.
Outsider support
As far as we know, the Islanders are the only USL-1 team with a consisten away following.
With the supporters group Legion Extranjera (Foreign Legion): http://legionextranjera.wordpress.com/
Which serves to unite all Islanders fans across the US and the world to follow and support the team. While some USL-1 teams follow their clubs to nearby stadiums, I believe the Islanders are the only team to consistently have support at most if not all of their away matches. Why? Well one could say because Puerto Ricans everywhere identify with the team and not only people from once city.So not only is this a team of nations but also one that has fans all over the place.
We think this is great for the league, as there’s nothing better than having traveling supporters to help give games a more interesting atmosphere.
So we invite you to join our Islanders family, as a fan away from home, as there is no better team out there in the USL for you. We’ll welcome you with open arms.
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Posted by KVD
A bit more on the season opener
April 22, 2009Our friend Eduardo Cantore has published some final thoughts and analysis on the Whitecaps – Islanders game (in Spanish):
Also, SoccerTV has posted 3 videos on the same game – including an interview with the President of the Puerto Rican Football Federation:
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USL: Team of the week – Week 1
April 21, 2009The USL publshes a ‘team of the week’ every week and names what it considers to be the outstanding players of the previous week’s matches.
Weekly honors announced
Serna, Fisher honored as Players of the Week
USL News Release
Source: USL
TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week honors for the second week of the USL season, honoring Miami’s Diego Serna as the USL First Division Player of the Week and Steve Fisher as the USL Second Division Player of the Week.
Serna, Fisher were scorers and providers (Victor Palkaninec)Former Miami Fusion star Diego Serna, having last played a total of 13 minutes with the Colorado Rapids in 2005, had disappeared from the American soccer landscape playing in Ecuador with Macara and Brazil with Fast. He was among a trio of South Florida soccer greats honored in the pre-game ceremonies with Ray Hudson and Teofilo Cubillas, but quickly showed he is not done yet.
In the 28th minute Serna perfectly flicked-on a corner kick from the near side of the penalty area to Alen Marcina at the far post for the opening strike of the match.
Four minutes after Cleveland leveled the match in the 33rd, Serna made a fantastic individual play. Capitalizing on a poor defensive pass along the back line, Serna closed in and blocked a clearance. The deflected ball popped forward, creating a breakaway for the former MLS All-Star. He quickly gathered the free ball and charged the goal, beating on-loan Real Salt Lake netminder Chris Seitz for what held as the winner.
Serna helped ice the game with 11 minutes remaining when he played a brilliant square ball across the top of the penalty area to an on-rushing Leo Inacio Nunes, who promptly put a well-paced shot past Seitz as insurance.
Earning the Player of the Week honor for the two matches played on Opening Weekend of the USL-2 season was Harrisburg striker Steve Fisher, who guided the City Islanders to a 2-2 draw on the road against the Richmond Kickers.
Trailing after 16 minutes, Harrisburg tied it up the 23rd minute after forward Steve Fisher intercepted a cross in the midfield. Carrying the ball into the box, Fisher coolly slipped a low shot on goal. Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale was able to get his fingertips on the ball but it ricocheted off the far post and back into the net.
As the halftime whistle approached, Harrisburg claimed the lead with a 43rd minute tally by the menacing Mo Oduor. The City Islanders floated a free kick into the box from midfield. Fisher flicked the ball to Oduor. With his back to goal, he chested the ball down, turned and fired just over Pascale’s outstretched hands.
Week # 1
USL First Division Team of the Week
G Dusty Hudock – Charleston – Second straight shutout to open season
D Lyle Adams – Austin – Goal in 1-1 draw against Minnesota
D Nevio Pizzolitto – Montreal – Led team in 0-0 draw at Charleston
D Frankie Sanfilippo – Charleston – Led team in pair of shutouts
D Jack Stewart – Carolina – Led team in pair of victories
M Leonardo Di Lorenzo – Montreal – Led team in 0-0 draw at Charleston
M Tsuyoshi Yoshitake – Charleston – Led team in 0-0 draw against Montreal
M Josh Gardner – Carolina – Assist in 1-0 win over Rochester
F Marcus Haber – Vancouver – Goal in 2-1 loss @ Puerto Rico
F *Diego Serna - Miami – Goal,two assists in 3-1 win over Cleveland
F Nicholas Addlery – Puerto Rico – Two goals in 2-1 win over Vancouver
*Player of the week
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Video: Puerto Rico Islanders FC vs. Rochester Rhinos – Ad
April 21, 2009
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FIFA: Puerto Rico’s amazing Islanders
April 21, 2009Puerto Rico’s amazing Islanders
On 7 April, an exhausted bunch of orange-clad players trudged off a pitch in Mexico City, heads bowed in defeat after losing on penalties to mighty Cruz Azul. It was a predictable result. One of Mexico’s most respected sides were always going to be favourites against the little-known Puerto Rico Islanders, but a year-long journey of giant-killing had given belief to the unlikely Tropa Naranja. It had magnified their expectations and, in turn, their agony.
“It was an amazing journey, over a year,” Puerto Rico Islanders FC coach Colin Clarke told FIFA.com after a stunning run to the last four of the 2009 CONCACAF Champions League, only just missing out on a place in the final.
“We were disappointed not to have gone all the way. It’s always tough for a player or a coach to come so close and then miss out on the big party,” added Clarke, Northern Ireland’s second-top all-time scorer. “But I sat the lads down and made sure they understood what a great big thing they had done.”
Long, strange trip
The story began nearly one year ago. The Islanders of Bayamon, in only their third season as a club and their second under Clarke, finished first in the eastern section of the USA’s second division, setting up a play-off with Trinidadian powers San Juan Jabloteh for a place in the preliminary rounds of the recently re-jigged CONCACAF Champions League (formerly the Champions Cup).
“We didn’t know what to expect. We weren’t sure about the new format of the tournament or what it would lead to for us,” added the coach, who as a player lined up for QPR and Portsmouth and also for his country at the FIFA World Cup™ in Mexico in 1986. “So we just focussed on trying to give them a game, and hopefully get a result.”
“Football was suddenly challenging for headline space against the traditional sports like boxing and baseball.”
Clarke on the response on the island to his side’s Cinderella run
The Islanders did just that, winning 1-0 over two legs. Then came what many considered would be the end of the road: Costa Rica’s Alajuelense, twice champions of CONCACAF.
“That’s when people in Puerto Rico really started to take notice of what we were doing,” the coach said. After a 1-1 draw on the road in front of 900 shocked Costa Rican fans who had expected an easy win, the Islanders took the tie back home and won 2-1 at their Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. “That was it, everything took off after that. Football was suddenly challenging for headline space against the traditional sports like boxing and baseball.”
A diverse bunch
In the group stages, the Islanders – made up of what the coach calls a “united nations” of players from T&T, Jamaica, USA, Liberia, Haiti, local-born Puerto Ricans and even another Irishman – continued to punch above their weight.
Beating Tauro FC of Panama, Mexico’s Santos Laguna and drawing Guatemala’s Municipal, they moved on to the last eight, where they shocked Honduran giants CD Marathon to reach the rarefied air of the last four. It was at this stage that finally – after what can only be described as a Herculean struggle – they had their wings clipped by one of the region’s glamour sides, Cruz Azul, on penalties after winning the first leg at home. “There’s no taking away what these lads accomplished,” said Clarke, who also coaches a much-improved Puerto Rican national team.
“It’s a two-hour flight just to get to Miami, so we do a lot of slogging for away games. But football is improving here in Puerto Rico.”
Clarke on the peculiar situation in Puerto Rico
The Islandera boss put the reasons for the run amazing down to the ability of his players and a change in philosophy on the island. “When I first got here in spring of 2007, you got the impression that it was your typical Caribbean scene, with lots of talent but not a lot of organisation. So, discipline was the first order of business.”
Travel troubles
Nothing is simple for the Islanders of Puerto Rico, a self-governing territory of the United States in the Caribbean Sea. Firstly, travel poses big problems. “It’s a two-hour flight just to get to Miami, so we do a lot of slogging for away games,” added the former coach of MLS side FC Dallas. “But it helped us on our [Champions League] run because we were always on the move, always playing. We had no time to think about what we were doing, we were too busy. There was no time for the coach to stick his nose in and screw things up!”
In all, the affable manager sees Puerto Rico as a potential power in the region, if things keep improving. “This is no small island,” he says. “There are four million people here. It’s a good place to be because there is the room to improve, and the will to get better.”
The Islanders were not able to celebrate their giant-killing antics for long, with the new USL season already underway. They opened with a home win against the Vancouver Whitecaps, and a large crowd. “The fans were back again, and that’s a good sign,” Clarke said. “I think they’ve really taken us to their hearts.”
Source: FIFA.com
Version en Español: FIFA.com
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