(Puerto Rico 2, Toronto 0)
1-0 min. 28 Petter Villegas (Puerto Rico)
2-0 min. 42 Noah Delgado (Puerto Rico)
Bayamón, PR - The Puerto Rico Islanders refuse to go away.
The Islanders beat last-place Toronto Lynx 2-0 on Friday Night at Juan Ramón Loubriel to keep the play-off drama going. A huge and loud crowd of 7,811 watched as its team dominated from start to finish and took care of matters for the time being.
From the get-go the Islanders, knowing full well it was win or say "adios", attacked early and often. In the 12th minute Petter Villegas, on a wicked shot from outside the box, forced Lynx goalkeeper Richard Goddard to make a flying save. That would be immediately followed by more attempts by Mauricio Salles and Johannes Maliza.
The Islander attack just kept coming, while the Lynx bravely defended their goal. The Lynx had little offense though, and only Chris Williams would come close in the 21st minute. He lost on a one-on-one against Kennedy at the end of a Toronto counter-attack.
It was a matter of time before the Islanders broke through. It was in the 28th minute play. Noah Delgado crossed the ball into the box from the right side, where Peter Villegas positioned himself close to goal and unmarked. Goddard responded to Villegas's first shot but the Islander put it in on the rebound for the 1-0 lead.
Then came the second goal in the 42nd minute on a well coordinated play by Alexis Rivera, Villegas, and Delgado. The play culminated with Delgado lofting the ball perfectly over Goddard from the right corner of the box and into the nets.
With the 2-0 in favor the Islanders just eased back, went into safety mode, and kept the visitors from breaking through. Toronto created little offense, though Huffman El Tabe played well.
The Islanders almost added to the lead in the second half. In the 49th minute Salles blasted a cannonball from 20 yards out and hit the crossbar, while Villegas attempted the long shot here and there looking to surprise the opponent.
With the win the Islanders can still overtake Portland for sixth place and last playoff spot. If the Portland Timbers fail to beat the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, Puerto Rico could sneak into the play-offs with another win over the Lynx on Sunday.
That game will be held at the Loubriel starting at 5:00 p.m. local time.
