(Puerto Rico 1, Vancouver 2)
0-1 min. 5 Ian Fuller (Vancouver)
1-1 min. 35 Petter Villegas (PR)
1-2 min. 42 Steve Klein (Vancouver, PK)
Bayamón, PR - The Puerto Rico Islanders could not decipher the Vancouver Whitecaps' stingy defense and fell to the Canadian team by a score of 2-1 in a match played at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in front of 4,357 fans.
Vancouver took an early lead in the 5th minute of play when Ian Fuller #15 surprised Islanders goalie Dan Kennedy #1 with a precise shot from just outside the box's semicircle. From that point on, Vancouver solidified its back line, aware of the potential of the Islander attack.
The Whitecaps could only keep the Islanders in control for so long. In the 35th minute Petter Villegas #15, off a foul kick, executed a furious cannonball of a shot from 35 yards out that beat Vancouver goalkeeper Mike Franks #1 for the 1-1 tie.
Vancouver responded thanks to their star attacker Ian Fuller, who penetrated all the way into the Islander penalty box in the 42nd minute before being fouled by defender Chris Gores #5. Referee Tony Russo called the penalty shot and Steve Klein #3 succesfully executed the penalty kick for the 2-1 lead for Vancouver. The first half ended with that score.
Puerto Rico came out in the second half with a lot of energy, while the Whitecaps concentrated on maintaining the lead. The Islanders constantly tried to get the ball to their strikers Mauricio Salles #10 and Corey Woolfolk #23. Corey had a clear opportunity to tie the game in the 57th minute, receiving a pass from Alejandro González #20 but was not able to get everything on the ball. His shot was easily grabbed by Franks.
Petter Villegas tried to repeat the magic of his first half goal with a couple of attempts from far out, but would not be succesful. Vancouver continued holding on with a stingy defense, although in the 81st minute the Whitecaps almost increased the lead. Kevin Harmse #16 stole a ball from Dan Kennedy but failed to score on an empty net.
Puerto Rico moved its lines forward in the last few minutes hoping to get the tying tally. Unfortunately for the locals the Canadian club had a good night and kept the Islander attack at bay until the end.
The Puerto Rico Islanders next play the Richmond Kickers this upcoming Friday 24 at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in a match slated for an 8:00 p.m kickoff.
