(Puerto Rico 0, Montreal Impact 3)
0-1 min. 55 Kevin Wilson (Montreal)
0-2 min. 71 Kevin Wilson (Montreal)
0-3 min. 93 Antonio Ribeiro (Montreal)
BAYAMON, PR - The Puerto Rico Islanders knew it would be a tough game and indeed the Montreal Impact showed their championship ways this time around in beating the Islanders 3-0 in front of 4,652 fans at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium on Sunday Night. Kevin Wilson led the way for the Impact with two goals in the second half.
Puerto Rico held on nicely during the first half, playing cautiously and making sure they kept the Montreal attack at bay. The Impact had their chances but Sandro Grande, Mauro Biello, and Mesut Mert were unable to get past Islander goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Puerto Rico came close to scoring in the 27th minute when Raphel Ortiz barely missed on a long shot. Mauricio Salles, arguably the best player for the Islanders last season and who was back in the lineup, also tried to get the lead for his team without success. Before halftime, Wilson had a couple of scoring chances that would signal what was to come.
The Puerto Rico Islanders successfully reached halftime at 0-0, but the last 45 minutes were a whole different story. Ten minutes into the second half (55th minute) Kevin Wilson broke through the Puerto Rican defense and shot the ball past goalkeeper Kennedy for the 1-0 lead.
The Islander response came quick. Isiaias Bardales's attempt right after Wilson's goal came close, but Greg Sutton responded to the challenge. Unfortunately for the Islanders, things would get worse as their defender Marco Velez saw a red card in the 59th minute and left the home team with ten men. Wilson almost scored the second for the Impact in the 63rd minute when he broke loose on a counterattack and put the ball past Kennedy, but Islander defender Chris Gores kicked the ball away before it reached the netting.
On the 71st minute, Drew McAthy of the Islanders shot wide left of Sutton's goal. The Impact immediately put the ball back in play and executed a lightning fast counterattack. In a matter of seconds Kevin Wilson found himself alone against Islander goalkeeper Kennedy and the Jamaican star would deliver again. One sure strike and the ball found the back of the net, and it was now 2-0 Impact.
Though heartbroken, the Islanders did their best to mount a comeback. By this time the Montreal defense was rock solid, though, and the home team could not do much. Montreal did add the third goal in stoppage time, as Antonio Ribeiro scored on a pass from Pat Leduc.
The Puerto Rico Islanders now have to forget about the loss and get ready for their upcoming match. They will travel to Rochester, NY to face the Raging Rhinos on Saturday, May 7th at 8:00 pm. The game will be played at Frontier Field.
