0-1 min. 7 Romario-MIA
0-2 min. 20 Zinho-MIA
1-2 min. 29 Alan Marcina-PR (PK)
2-2 min. 54 Arturo Norambuena - PR
3-2 min. 73 Arturo Norambuena - PR
4-2 min. 82 Noah Delgado-PR
Attendance: 8,593
BAYAMON, PR - In a fast-paced, dramatic match, the Puerto Rico Islanders came back from two goals down to defeat Miami FC by a 4-2 score and keep their playoff hopes alive in the 2006 USL 1st Division season.
From the beginning both teams gave the massive crowd at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, PR, their money's worth and beyond with an action-packed thriller filled with generous doses of offense.
For the first 20 minutes Miami FC had control of the match, building up a quick 2-0 lead thanks to their Brazilian stars. Only seven minutes passed when Romario opened up the scoring with a lethal header off a perfect cross from teammate Jamil Jean-Jacques. Zinho added to the Miami lead in the 20th minute with a brilliant free kick from just outside the box. The ball arched over the wall and went in to the left of a diving Dan Kennedy.
Seeing themselves in a critical situation, the Islanders responded in spectacular fashion with the support of their many loud, passionate fans. In the 29th minute Alan Marcina scored the first for the Islanders on a penalty kick which was called when Noah Delgado was taken down inside the box. The first half ended with Miami leading 2-1, but the Islanders were not done yet.
Arturo Norambuena tied the match at 2-2 in the 54th minute on his point-blank header off a cross from Thomas Queeley. Then, almost twenty minutes later Noah Delgado put the Islanders in front when he redirected a shot from Petter Villegas into the nets. Things really got complicated for Miami FC when their player Jeff Matteo was sent off in the 77th minute, and just a few moments later Noah Delgado sealed the deal with his second goal of the night.
The Puerto Rico Islanders and Miami FC face off again in a decisive regular season finale to be played next Sunday, September 10, at the Loubriel, with kick-off programmed for 5:00 P.M.
