1-2-3, Islanders sweep the Montreal Impact

By: BoriQa | August 15th, 2009

For the 2nd consecutive time this season, the Puerto Rico Islanders posted a 1-0 shutout over the Montreal Impact, this time at home in Bayamón at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, in front of 5,701 fans.

The Islanders swept the Montreal Impact this season in their head-to-head series undefeated with 3 wins. The Islanders had already defeated the Montrealers 3-2 (home) and 1-0 (away) earlier this season.

The Islanders took the lead on the 37th minute after a corner kick by Jonathan Steele, which Cristian Arrieta deflected to the center with a header, that John Krause headed in himself to the right of Impact keeper Matt Jordan for the winning goal.

It was Krause’s second goal against the Impact this season.

Bill ‘The Wall’ Gaudette got his 9th straight shutout (including two against the Toronto FC) and his 12th of the season (10 in the USL).

Marco Vélez made his 2nd debut with the Islanders (for which he played 2005-07) wearing orange jersey #34.

The Montreal goalkeeper Matt Jordan was back in the net for the Impact, after missing the last seven regular season matches. He was spectacular in stoppage time with back-to-back saves on point blank shots from Nicholas Addlery and Jonathan Steele.

The Islanders now have a 11-8-5 [W-T-L] record good for 41 points and 4th place in the USL standings; 7 points behind the league leaders Portland (48 pts), 3 points behind 2nd place Charleston (44 pts) and 2 behind 3rd place Carolina (43 pts).

Montreal (7-5-10 [W-T-L], 26 pts) is in 6th place (tied with Vancouver) and is still in the fight for a postseason berth. Miami closely follows the Canadians in 8th place with 25 points.

The Islanders have 6 games left in the USL regular season: two against the Minnesota Thunder (home & away), one home game against Rochester, two against the Carolina Railhawks (home & away) and they will close the regular season on a road visit to Miami.

The Islanders will play next on Tuesday August 18 when they visit the Columbus Crew for the opening match in the “Group of Death” of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League.