Puerto Rico Islanders 1 vs. Rowdies 0
The Rowdies lost to the Puerto Rico Islanders 1-0 Wednesday night at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon. With the victory, the Islanders completed an unbeaten regular season at home, the only team in the league to do so this season.
The Rowdies will now face Ft. Lauderdale this Saturday, September 24 at Al Lang Stadium with the third seed in the NASL playoffs on the line. A win or tie by the Rowdies against the Strikers would clinch the third seed in the postseason, which opens on Saturday, October 1st at Al Lang at 7:30 p.m. in the NASL Quarterfinals.
"I would expect our boys to be up for the challenge on Saturday night against the Strikers," said Rowdies' head coach Ricky Hill. "We are frustrated and disappointed with the result tonight and would like to head into the playoffs on a winning frame of mind."
Puerto Rico took a 1-0 lead on a goal by forward Yaikel Perez in the fifth minute, his first of the year, off a nice feed down the left side from midfielder Kevon Villaroel.
Midfielder Shane Hill almost scored the equalizer, but his 35-yard strike hit the post in the 30th minute. Forward Mike Ambersley and midfielders Chad Burt, Mozzi Gyorio and Keith Savage also had scoring chances in the first 45 minutes for the Rowdies against Islanders goalkeeper Ray Burse, who made five saves in the first half.
Both teams had scoring opportunities in the second half but Burse and Rowdies' goalkeeper Jeff Attinella kept the ball out of the net. For the match, the Rowdies outshot the Islanders 18-12, led by Gyorio's four shots.
"It seems like a recurring theme when you consider the number of chances we had Saturday night against Minnesota," said Hill. "We did manage to carve out a few openings and get a few shots on target tonight. But it was disappointing to give up the goal early, which ended up being the game-winner."
The Rowdies made the trip to Puerto Rico without several starters, including captain and defender Frankie Sanfilippo, defender Andres Arango and midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake.
The Rowdies will now face Ft. Lauderdale this Saturday, September 24 at Al Lang Stadium with the third seed in the NASL playoffs on the line. A win or tie by the Rowdies against the Strikers would clinch the third seed in the postseason, which opens on Saturday, October 1st at Al Lang at 7:30 p.m. in the NASL Quarterfinals.
"I would expect our boys to be up for the challenge on Saturday night against the Strikers," said Rowdies' head coach Ricky Hill. "We are frustrated and disappointed with the result tonight and would like to head into the playoffs on a winning frame of mind."
Puerto Rico took a 1-0 lead on a goal by forward Yaikel Perez in the fifth minute, his first of the year, off a nice feed down the left side from midfielder Kevon Villaroel.
Midfielder Shane Hill almost scored the equalizer, but his 35-yard strike hit the post in the 30th minute. Forward Mike Ambersley and midfielders Chad Burt, Mozzi Gyorio and Keith Savage also had scoring chances in the first 45 minutes for the Rowdies against Islanders goalkeeper Ray Burse, who made five saves in the first half.
Both teams had scoring opportunities in the second half but Burse and Rowdies' goalkeeper Jeff Attinella kept the ball out of the net. For the match, the Rowdies outshot the Islanders 18-12, led by Gyorio's four shots.
"It seems like a recurring theme when you consider the number of chances we had Saturday night against Minnesota," said Hill. "We did manage to carve out a few openings and get a few shots on target tonight. But it was disappointing to give up the goal early, which ended up being the game-winner."
The Rowdies made the trip to Puerto Rico without several starters, including captain and defender Frankie Sanfilippo, defender Andres Arango and midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake.
Lineups:
Rowdies Lineup: Attinella, Hayes (Captain), Christie, Rodrigues, Yamada, Burt (Baptiste 87'), Gyorio, Hill, Savage (Millien 65'), Ambersley, King
Puerto Rico Islanders Lineup: Burse, Rivera, Martinez, Emory, Jones, Pitchkolan (Captain), Van Schaik (Salem 53'), Wilson (Ramos 81'), Villaroel, Perez (Villegas 70'), Fana
Puerto Rico Islanders Lineup: Burse, Rivera, Martinez, Emory, Jones, Pitchkolan (Captain), Van Schaik (Salem 53'), Wilson (Ramos 81'), Villaroel, Perez (Villegas 70'), Fana
Scoring Summary:
Islanders: Yaikel Perez - 5th minute (assisted by Kevin Villaroel)
Islanders: Yaikel Perez - 5th minute (assisted by Kevin Villaroel)
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