Tonight at 8pm, the Puerto Rico Islanders will face the Columbus Crew in their last game of the year. While the Islanders are out of the CONCACF Champions League (CCL), the Crew needs at least a tie to advance to the CCL quarterfinals. Beyond playing kingmakers, the Islanders also go into this match attempting to finish the year on a positive note after a disappointing season.
In the first match between these two teams in Columbus, the Crew proved adept at shutting down the Islanders and effectively defending against the team’s usually strong set pieces. The current MLS champions will probably look to score early in the match and then play a bit more conservatively against an Islanders team that is traditionally stronger at home.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to judge what kind of team we will see on the field tonight. Sandy Gbandi is still out, Marcelin and Noel have left the team as their contracts expired, and star goalkeeper Bill Gaudette is questionable for the match. Gaudette recently injured his left shoulder during a team practice and when we spoke with him yesterday his injury was still bothering him. With only one game in the season and without being able to train at all this week, it seems more likely than not that Gaudette will have to sit out this game.
The deciding factor of this match will largely be the attitude with which the Islanders take to the field tonight. On one hand, the team is short handed through injuries and players that have left the squad. At the same time, players are already thinking ahead to the off-season and their plans for 2010 – seeing that the game has no further weight for the team, some players could be more reserved in their physicality. Still, team captain Noah Delgado said yesterday that while the team won’t be able to advance in the CCL, the players are good competitors and will be looking to represent the team as best they can. Several players also noted that will be the last game for the team as it is currently composed, as many players will possibly be leaving to other clubs – and that they want to close the year with a win for the team and for the fans. This year’s USL-1 MVP, Cristian Arrieta, said that the lack of pressure could actually be a good thing as the players can focus on winning the match as a gift to the fans.
Facing a strong team that needs a positive result with a less than ideal squad will be no easy task. Even though several players might not be able to play, we can all rest assured that the Islanders will play as committed as ever in order to defend their home turf and to end the year with a positive note. They will be dedicating the game to the fans and the fans should respond in kind by going to Bayamon and supporting out team.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-1.
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