Islanders strike first! But fall 3-1 to Saprissa…

On the 26th minute last night the Islanders’ Domenic Mediate scored a ‘golazo‘ that surprised and shocked the local crowd, as well as many of his critics, as the Islanders took a 1-0 lead at Ricardo Saprissa stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica.

But that lead was not to last long… Saprissa came back 9 minutes later on a goal by birthday boy Jairo Arrieta (26 years old yesterday) to tie the score 1-1; and again on the 40th minute on a goal by veteran midfielder Walter Centeno, to seal a 2-1 Saprissa halftime lead. Saprissa caught a break on their first goal as the shot hit the top pole and bounced down just inside the goal line before bouncing outside of the goal posts.

Andres Nuñez added an insurance goal on the 49th for the Costa Ricans.

The Islanders nearly got back into the game in the 73rd minute, but the Costa Rican goalkeeper did well to put a Scott Jones attempt from the left side of the box onto the post. Just as it appeared the ball was going to cross the line, it somehow spun in reverse on the stadium carpet.

Sandy Gbandi hit the bar in the 80th minute after a defensive header by Saprissa’s Douglas Sequeira fell in his direction.

It was not to be Puerto Rico’s night, as they posted their second loss in two games, and dropped to last place in Group C.

The Islanders meet next the Minnesota Thunder on Saturday August 29th at Juan Ramon Loubriel stadium in a regular season USL game.

The Islanders will resume CCL play against Cruz Azul from Mexico on September 15th.

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Category: CONCACAF Champions League 2009-10, Match Reports, Puerto Rico Islanders, Saprissa - Costa Rica

Tags: CONCACAF Champions League 2009-10, Match Reports, Puerto Rico Islanders, Saprissa - Costa Rica

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