Sunday 10 July 2011

Rowdies vs. Puerto Rico Islanders

Puerto Rico Islanders 1 vs. Rowdies 1
The Rowdies and Puerto Rico played to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium.
The Rowdies have now earned four ties among its six road matches this season. The Islanders remain the only league team that is undefeated at home this season, with three wins and three draws in their six matches at JRL Stadium. Overall Puerto Rico has not lost in its last five matches since a 3-0 loss at Edmonton on June 15.
"I was pleased overall with the commitment and attitude from the players," said Rowdies' head coach Ricky Hill. "It would have been nice to get the three points, but we certainly earned a point tonight."
Forward Aaron King gave the Rowdies a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute with his third goal of the season, including his second consecutive match with a goal. Midfielder Pascal Millien back heeled the ball to King, who deposited the ball in the corner of the net. The assist for Millien was his team-leading fourth of the year.
Puerto Rico had several chances in the first half, including a shot off the crossbar in the 31st minute. Rowdies' goalkeeper Jeff Attinella and Islanders GK Ray Burse each made three saves in the opening 45 minutes. In addition, the Rowdies lost starting midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake to a hamstring injury in the 12th minute.
"I was very pleased with the first half, especially a couple of big saves from Jeff," said Hill. "And it was a great buildup to a very good goal by Aaron. I thought the players did a good job of overcoming the loss of Yoshi and not letting that disrupt our gameplan."
The Rowdies held its 1-0 lead into the second half before Millien was ejected from the game after receiving yellow cards in the 61st and 71st minutes, forcing the Rowdies to play with 10 men. The Islanders took advantage and tied the match on a goal by David Foley in the 82nd minute.
"I thought we came out playing well in the second half and I was disappointed with the second yellow card that went against us at that time," said Hill. "Puerto Rico kept pressing and the ball ended up in the net."

Lineups:
Rowdies Lineup: Attinella, Sanfilippo (Captain), Arango, Watson-Siriboe, Rodrigues, Millien, Yoshitake (Ukah 12'), Savage, Gyorio, King (Hayes 72'), Ambersley
Islanders Lineup: Burse, Martinez, Cunningham, Emory (Needham 45'), Jones (Van Schaik 81'), MPitchkolan, Ly Rojas, Villegas (Perez 57'), Delgado (Captain), Foley, Bouraee

Scoring Summary:
Rowdies: Aaron King - 18th minute (assisted by Pascal Millien)
Islanders: David Foley - 82nd minute

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