Surrounded by Aztecs, Islanders strengthen defense
By: BoriQa | March 7th, 2009
After the unfortunate collapse of our USL brother Impact in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, the Puerto Rico Islanders find themselves surrounded by three Mexican teams in the semifinals. Yes… USL men (not MLS) will be playing with the big boys from now on.
The Islanders will face Mexico City’s Cruz Azul in the semifinals, and shall the Puerto Ricans succeed and bury the Blue Hare, then the Boricuas will face the winner of the Atlante FC and Santos Laguna semifinal match, in the Champion’s League first ever final.
Cruz Azul is an 8-time Mexican champion and 5-time CONCACAF Champions Cup winner, but the last of all those championships was in 1997.
“They (Cruz Azul) are the ones with the pressure”, said Colin ‘General’ Clarke. “We will use the same approach in the game as we have used before, but we have to win here (in Puerto Rico), and then we will see what happens when we visit them with all that matter about the height above sea level”, added the Puerto Rican Head Coach.
The 1st leg of the semifinal will be on March 17th at the Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium (the Central American Cemetery) where there is a Blue grave ready, just in case…
Meanwhile the Islanders announced today that they added American Kyle Veris to the roster, to strengthen the Puerto Rican defense for the Cruz Azul semifinals match, and the upcoming 2009 USL-1 season.
“Kyle Veris is a very versatile player who will strengthen our defensive line and also be a threat in the box on set pieces”, said Colin Clarke.
The 6′4″ central defender will bring MLS as well as European experience to the Islanders. Veris was drafted in the 2006 MLS Superdraft by the L.A. Galaxy with the 25th overall pick and played 18 games during his time in L.A. He spent the 2008 season playing for IL Hødd of the Norwegian First Division where he played 17 matches as a central defender and right back.
On other news, Colin Clarke traveled to Mexico to watch our next opponent, Cruz Azul play Santos Laguna for this weekend’s FMF-1 match between the two.
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Category: Acquisitions, CONCACAF Champions League 2008-09, Cruz Azul - Mexico, Puerto Rico Islanders
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Comments
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Samrt move by management. Our CB’s (especialy Nigel Henry) are extremely suspect. Never heard of this guy, maybe cause i dont follow MLS or the Norway league.
He cant play for the Champions league right? Dont they demand that every team make a roster list before the knockout stages? I doubt he will be pushed into the starting lineup before the USL season but lets see.
Posted from
United States
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Yes. Veris is available to play against Cruz Azul next week.
Posted from
United States -
I think the title for this post should read: Mexico vs. Islanders and the rest of Concacaf.
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United States -
Thanks Bori, Im on ticketpop like every 3 hours, I want those tickets in my hand!
Im realy hoping people will show up. This soccer bomb over here is noticable. The other day i went for a jog at my local track and saw like 30 kids doing pick-up games. I realy think that there is a good chance of high quality talent being produced by this island. Only time will tell. Hope its not a fluke.
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United States -
Well well, for those who dont know check this out!
Colin CLarke is gonna be on FSC on the Fox football fone in show. Im gonna try to get through hahaha.
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United States -
I couldn’t even explain how proud i am of the Puerto Rico Islanders right now.
I’m based in CT and soccer is exploding, but unfortunately there aren’t too many Puerto Rican’s out on the playing field. I’m one of the rare soccer coaches for the league itself (i also think my daughter represents 1 of 3 puerto ricans in a league of almost 600 kids).First Mexico… then the world!!!!
Posted from
United States
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