PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS: SEASON PREVIEW
April 18, 2007 - The Puerto Rico Islanders made a splash in 2006, reaching the playoff round for the first time in their three years of existence. With a solid core intact, they should expect at least another playoff match in September and might even be considered a sleeper pick come playoff time.
2006 Season:
The Islanders finished sixth last season but could have finished much higher had they cleaned up a miserable 2-7-5 home record. The team had an impressive 38 goals for in 2006, good for fourth overall, but allowed 36 into their own net as well. Consequently, they were dropped in the playoff quarterfinals 3-2 in aggregate by the Charleston Battery. They also played in the CFU Club Championship for the first time, in an attempt to reach the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but fell in their second group stage game to Trinidad and Tobago champions W Connection. They have qualified for the 2007 edition of the cup by winning the Puerto Rican Cup with their reserve team, the Islanders B.
Individually, the team was led by Mauricio Segovia who was nominated for USL Defender of the Year and named to the All League First Team and Alen Marcina, who finished third in league scoring (13 goals) and was named to the Second Team.
2007 Season:
Between the posts, the Islanders are resting their hopes on former Portland keeper Josh Saunders, who trained with the Chicago Fire of the MLS this offseason. Much of the defence returns this season, anchored by Segovia, but several key additions will add depth to this overmatched group. David Johnson is a former US U-20 National Team member who also played last season with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS. Jay Needham was the 2006 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the prestigious Hermann Trophy Award. The midfield will receive a boost from two experienced international players: Panamanian National Team member Gustavo Avila and Croatian offensive midfielder Goran Vujanovic.
Up front, Canadian National Team member Marcina will still be the go-to guy; however, the addition of another Panamanian, Alberto Zapata, will help shoulder the load. Zapata has represented Panama at the Senior National Team in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup Qualifiers, and has won several MVP and scoring leader awards in Panama’s First Division with San Francisco FC.
Summary:
Overall, Puerto Rico has focused on adding experienced players to their already talented core. With the belief that the newcomers will bring poise and stability come playoff time. They have started the 2007 season in the right direction, recording a 2-1 victory over Rochester, with Marcina contributing a goal and an assist.
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