1-0 min. 5 Alen Marcina (PR)
2-0 min. 24 Joshua Caleb Norkus (PR)
3-0 min. 32 Alen Marcina (PR)
3-1 min. 60 Liam George (AT)
BAYAMON, PR - The Puerto Rico Islanders beat the Atlanta Silverbacks by a 3-1 score in the inaugural match of USL 1st Division's 2006 season.
The Islanders dominated the match thanks to a great collective effort by the players both on offense and defense. They showed poise, control, and organization and left the Silverbacks stunned.
Only five minutes went by when Alen Marcina #22, one of this year's signings for the Islanders, recieved the ball inside the box from a Petter Villegas #11 foul kick . Marcina, left unmarked, easily beat Atlanta goalkeeper Shaun Kalnasy #0 low for the 1-0 Puerto Rico lead.
At eight minutes, the officials decided to stop play due to thunder/lightning. The inclement weather kept the match stopped for about an hour. None of the 7,044 fans at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, left the building during the long wait, however. It was worth it for them, for when the game re-started the Islanders continued their dominance.
The home team kept bringing the heat and got the results. Joshua Caleb Norkus #14 put the score at 2-0 in the 24th minute. His spectacular run down the left side of the field left four Atlanta defenders in the dust. With Kalnasy desperately coming out of his line, Norkus shot past him and into the nets.
Eight minutes after that, Marcina added the team's third goal (his second of the night) on a deflection inside the box.
Atlanta could only threaten the Islander goal in the first half a couple of times with Alex Pineda-Chacon #10 missing on both occasions.
With the 3-0 scoreline at the half, Puerto Rico slowed down and protected the advantage. The Silverbacks desperately moved lines forward looking for a comeback. In the 60th minute Liam George #8 headed in a perfect cross from Fabian Dawkins #9 to give his Silverbacks their only goal.
Atlanta couldn't do much more against the Islanders defense and the sure hands of goalkeeper Dan Kennedy #1.
Towards the end, Marcina came close to a hat-trick on two counter-attacks. In the end a 3-1 score reflected the home team's superior play. Atlanta never felt comfortable on the wet grass of the Loubriel and the Islanders took advantage while showing their month of training in Chile was more than worthwhile.
Both teams will face each other again on Sunday, April 23rd at 5 p.m. local time (5 pm EST) at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón.
NOTES:
Former boxing champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad made the honorary first kick… The Islanders played in their new navy and orange home uniforms from new sponsor Calvo Soccer.
