Islanders Secure First Leg CCL Victory

The Puerto Rico Islanders hosted Group A winners C.D. Marathon in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champion League quarterfinal on Thursday.

With one USL team having already collected a first-leg win in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, the Islanders did their part to make the American second division two for two.

First Half

Puerto Rico got off to a shining start with Petter Villegas’ seventh minute shot causing problems for Marathon and leading to the home side’s first corner of the match. A mad scramble off the corner almost paid off, but the headed effort was once again pushed wide.

The continued pressure resulted in two more corners in rapid succession, but the orange-clad Islanders could not capitalize on any of their early chances.

The wide open contest would continue with Marvin Chaves and Jerry Palacios both carving out chances for Marathon before the 15 minute mark and the Islanders forcing a couple of good saves from Green Monster ‘keeper Juan Obelar.

A good bit of play from Marathon almost led to a big mistake from USL defender of the year Cristian Arrieta, who dangerously headed a cross from the right flank back toward his own net. Puerto Rico ‘keeper Bill Gaudette was up to the task and the match remained level through the half hour mark.

The match settled into more of a midfield battle in the later stages of the first half. Puerto Rico seemed content to serve in early crosses, while Marathon looked to find Palacios running the channels.

Noah Delgado set up a good chance for the Islanders in the 36^th. The Puerto Rican national dispossessed a Marathon defender and kept his cool long enough to find onrushing midfielder Sandi Gbandi. The shot from Gbandi had plenty of force, but lacked accuracy and the Islanders were frustrated once again.

Moments later Martin Nunez was gifted the best chance of the half for Puerto Rico when a redirected cross found the 22-year-old alone in front of goal. But Nunez could not get his head over the ball and the result was a missed opportunity.

Marathon responded quickly with a chance at the other end when Palacios out paced the Islander back line, but Gaudette was quick off his line and saved well.

Gaudette’s quickness off his line would cost Puerto Rico in the 41st when the ‘keeper misjudged a cross from Marathon defender Oscar Bonilla. Palacios was first to react and pushed the ball just inside the post, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

It was a disappointing end to a bright half from the home side, who limited Marathon to only a couple of late chances, but could not find the net themselves.

Second Half

After 10 minutes of open play to start the second half, Marathon thought they had scored from Saul Martinez’s head, but an athletic save from Gaudette pushed the ball against the post.

Gaudette was called back into action in the 60^th when Mavin Chavez’s shot from the top of the box almost found the net.

Clumsy defending from Marathon allowed a chance for Puerto Rico to test Obelar from a good position, but Jonathan Steele’s free-kick took a deflection past the post.

The Islanders continued to push for the equalizer into the 70^th minute and Marathon’s counterattack became even more dangerous, forcing Gaudette to come up with a couple of big saves.

In the 73^rd Steele found Nicholas Addlery with a cross that the Jamaican couldn’t finish, but Addlery would redeem himself moments later. Another ball from Steele was flicked past Obelar into Marathon’s net and the game was level with just over fifteen minutes to play.

With neither team looking for a draw the action continued into the final ten minutes when the home side would take its first lead of the match.

It was a daring run from Trinidadian Kendall Jagdeosingh in from the left flank that opened up the Honduran’s defense. The 22-year-old took the shot on boldly after a nice step over created a bit of space inside the box. The shot took a minor deflection and found the roof of Obelar’s net.

It was almost 3-1 in the 87^th when a terrible tackle from a Marathon player should’ve led to a penalty for the home side. But the referee turned a blind eye and deaf ear to appeals from the team and crowd and the lead would remain just one goal in favor of Puerto Rico.

A frantic final seven minutes produced little more than some rough tackles. Then the final whistle blew, giving the Islanders the USL’s second win of the quarterfinals.

Allen Ramsey, Goal.com