CONCACAF Champions League

Puerto Rico Go Down Swinging

Although their dream run is over, Puerto Rico Islanders left an impression on Tuesday's semifinal match and manager Colin Clarke as well.

Apr 8, 2009 3:30:01 AM

Sandy Gbandi- Cruz Azul vs Puerto Rico Islanders (Mexsport)

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Sandy Gbandi- Cruz Azul vs Puerto Rico Islanders (Mexsport)

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Puerto Rico Islanders were nearly through to the CONCACAF Champions League final. With less than 10 minutes remaining, the USL side had an advantage in the aggregate score that would have seen them take one giant step towards the Club World Cup.

Instead, time ran out on the Islanders' dream run as the club woke up to a harsh reality.

Cruz Azul won their semifinal match in regulation 2-0 to level the aggregate score, and after a 1-1 extra time draw, the Mexicans ousted Puerto Rico by 4-2 in a shootout.

"We were very close but not close enough," Puerto Rico manager Colin Clarke said. "I believe the altitude affected us tremendously."

Puerto Rico could not deal with the altitude, nor could they handle a Mexican team that reached the finals of the last two Mexican league seasons. Even with 10 men, Cruz Azul dictated the pace of the match and held the ball in Puerto Rico's defensive third of the field more often than not.

The Islanders barely moved forward during the regulation match, even when the hosts had 10 men. It was not until extra time that Sandy Gbandi found the back of the net.

"We did not maintain possession of the bal and we tried to pass efficiently and accurately but it was only good enough for one goal," Clarke said.

Noah Delgado and Scott Jones missed their chances for Puerto Rico while Gerardo Lugo failed to score for Cruz Azul. But with the score 3-2, Cruz Azul needed just to score a goal to claim a berth in the final, and Javier Orozco did just that.

The goal may have destroyed Puerto Rico's dreams of reaching the Club World Cup, but it did not shatter their spirit.

"I could not be more proud of my players and how we did in this competition," Clarke said. "Before this tournament nobody had ever heard of the Puerto Rico Islanders, and we made it to the semifinal. I'm disappointed with the performance in the penalties but I don't think the elimination was a failure. Nobody could have imagined that we would have been in these circumstances."

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