It wasn't as exhilarating as last year, when the Islanders scored 3 goals at home (the last one on the 119′ in overtime) to win the 2008 Semi-Final match up 3-2 on aggregate; but the Islanders duplicated the same feat this year: they knocked out the Rochester Rhinos of the USL-1 Playoffs.

It wasn't as exhilarating as last year, when the Islanders scored 3 goals at home (the last one on the 119′ in overtime) to win the 2008 Semi-Final match up 3-2 on aggregate; but the Islanders duplicated the same feat this year: to knock out the Rochester Rhinos of the USL Playoffs.

It wasn't as exhilarating as last year, when the Islanders scored 3 goals at home (the last on the 119′, in overtime) to win the series 3-2 on aggregate; but the Islanders duplicated the feat: To knock out the Rochester Rhinos of the USL Playoffs.

After losing 2-1 to the Rhinos last Thursday in the away leg of the 2009 USL Quarter Finals, the Islanders won 4-1 in the return leg in Bayamón to win the quarterfinal match up with a 5-3 aggregate, and eliminate the Rhinos from the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.

The Islanders had leads against Cruz Azul (3-1) and Saprissa (1-0) in the home games at Bayamón, but...

The Islanders 2008 killer alajuelazo weapon (last minute goal) was used twice against them at home in Bayamón, and Puerto Rico had to settle with sour draws (that tasted like defeats) against both Cruz Azul (3-3, tying goal in 85′) and Saprissa (1-1, tying goal in 90′+3).

The Islander finished 3rd place.

How they ended the regular season, later...

Last night on the 26th minute Islanders' Domenic Mediate scored a 'golazo' that silenced shocked the crowd, as well as many of his critics, as the Islanders took a 1-0 lead at Ricardo Saprissa stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica.

But that lead was not to last, as Saprissa came back 9 minutes later on a goal by birthday boy Armando Alonso (26 years old, happy birthday!

It's almost a year since the Islanders last visited Costa Rica. On August 27, 2008 the Islanders accomplished something never achieved by a U.S.A. league based team, get a result in Costa Rica!

That night the Islanders faced the Costa Rican powerhouse Liga Alajuelence, who took the lead on the 28th minute on a goal by Argenis Fernández.

Translation of Spanish article by Primera Hora:

Islanders will travel to Costa Rica without Bill Gaudette

Saturday - August 22, 2009

Esteban Pagán Rivera / Primera Hora

The Puerto Rico Islanders will travel tomorrow (Sunday) to Costa Rica to face Saprissa without their main goalkeeper, Bill Gaudette.

The Islanders failed to score in the 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew in the opening match of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League group stage action. The first half was, for the most part, even. Columbus enjoyed most of the possesion and attacking runs but the finishing wasnt all their.

The Islanders failed to score in the 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew in the opening match of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League group stage action. The first half was, for the most part, even. Columbus enjoyed most of the possesion and attacking runs but the finishing wasnt all their.

The Islanders failed to score in the 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew in the opening match of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League group stage action.

More details later...

For the 2nd consecutive time this season, the Puerto Rico Islanders posted a 1-0 shutout over the Montreal Impact, this time at home in the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón in front of 5,701 fans.

The Islanders swept the Montreal Impact in their head-to-head series with 3 wins (no losses or draws) this season.

For the 2nd time this season, the Puerto Rico Islanders posted a 1-0 in over the Montreal Impact, this time at home in the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón in front of 5,701 fans.

The Islanders took the lead on the 37th minute after a corner kick by Jonathan Steele, that Cristian Arrieta centered with a header over to John Krause, which Krausse headed himself in for the winning goal.

How could the USL outwit, outplay & outlast the MLS in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League?

The answer is simple!

The level of play in the USL (as an alternative league) is closer to that of the MLS, than many (in the USSF and MLS) would like to admit to.

Update!

Last week it was rumored in local news media that the Toronto FC may loan Marco Velez to the Islanders.

Earlier today the Puerto Rico Islanders management confirmed that Marco Vélez would be joining the Islanders to assist the team in the race to the USL championship.