Puerto Rico Islanders
Encyclopedia
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico
. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
.
The team plays its home games at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
, where they have played since 2004. The team's colors are orange and white. Their current head coach is Northern Irishman Colin Clarke.
(USL). The team had been founded by Joe Serralta and other Puerto Rican businessmen and had played only seven games before Serralta decided to move the franchise to Houston, Texas
on June 1, changing its name to the Houston Force
. The move was prompted by problems with the Puerto Rican Football Federation and low attendances. The Force folded after one game in Houston.
, in 2004. The original squad was composed of a large number of local Puerto Rican players and a contingency of foreign players composed of Americans
, Brazilians, Salvadoran and Argentines
completed this first squad, the team was coached by Brazilian Vitor Hugo Barros who was replaced several games into the season by Argentine Hugo Hernán Maradona
, brother of the legendary Diego Armando Maradona. The team played its first league game on April 17, 2004 against the Toronto Lynx
at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
, the Islanders lost 1-0 in front of a reported 6,000 fans. The Islanders had their first victory on January 15, 2004 against the Charleston Battery
with a score of 1-0 at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
. Led by players like Mauricio Salles
, Raúl Díaz Arce
and Luis Fernando Zuleta Mechura the Islanders finished the 2004 season in 14th place, with a record of 5 wins, 17 losses and 6 ties.
In 2005, the Islanders still under Hugo Hernán Maradona
brought in a new group of players that would become staples in the club for the next couple of seasons (Petter Villegas
, Marco Velez
, Dan Kennedy
, Caleb Norkus
, Alejandro González Pareja and Noah Delgado
), and retained several key players like Mauricio Salles
. At the end of the season, the Islanders had an improved season record with 10 wins, 10 losses and 8 ties, this time barely missing the playoff.
, Canadian Alen Marcina
, and homegrown talent Marco Vélez
, Alexis Rivera
, Rafael Ortiz Huertas, and American Dan Kennedy to create one of the strongest lineups in the club's short history, in a serious attempt to take the USL Div. 1 title for the first time.
Formed under the management of then head coach Jorge Alvial
, the 2006 Islanders had a record of 3-2-1 up to early June, whene Alvial put in his resignation to become a scout for the English club Chelsea
. The club lumbered across the last half of the season barely making the playoffs, under the new head coach Toribio Rojas
, Jorge Alvial
's assistant coach, finishing the season in 6th place and with a record of 10-8-10.
In the weekend before the 2006 playoffs, the Islanders hosted Miami FC
twice, who had Brazilians Romario
and Zinho in their line up. The Islanders needed four points to qualify for the Playoffs. After going down 0:2 in the first half the Islanders managed to come back and win 4:2 in front of 8,600.
In the final game of the season against Miami on September 10, 2006, they attracted a record crowd of nearly 11,000 fans. Early in the second half Miami took the lead. It wasn't until the 43rd minute of the second half that the Islanders equalized with an Arturo Norambuena
penalty. A draw was sufficient for the Islanders to qualify in front of Seattle and Atlanta.
In the first round of the playoffs, the team played a home-away series against the Charleston Battery
. Unfortunately for the Islanders, Charleston won the series 3:2, ending the 2006 season for the Puerto Ricans.
The team came into the 2007 season on a high, they had just played a preseason tournament against MLS teams and achieved very successful results. They also had signed several dangerous players like Panamanian trio Victor Herrera
, a Panamanian international, Gustavo Avila
, and Alberto Zapata
, a new goalkeeper Josh Saunders
, rookie Jay Needham
, plus a return of players like Marco Vélez
, Petter Villegas
and Noah Delgado
. The squad was considered serious contenders for the title.
After one early success, the team took a turn for the worst. It was evident that Toribio Rojas
had lost his edge and after an embarrassing 2:1 lost against bottom table Minnesota Thunder
was let go from his coaching position and given the post of Youth System Director, when he left the team with a record of 1-3-3. Also attendance went down.
The club acting quickly replaced Rojas with former FC Dallas
manager Colin Clarke, who had found himself without a job after the Virginia Beach Mariners
went out of business. He immediately established himself as a hard and hotheaded coach demanding discipline from his players. Shortly after he was nickname "El General" by the media and fans because of the way he led the squad during practice.
This change also translated in a change of fortunes for the club, in the first match under Clarke the club beat the Minnesota Thunder
2:1, just a week after, under Toribio, they had lost against them. Clarke also brought in players who would become key figures in the future like Haitian International Fabrice Noel
, then Englishman, now Kenyan International, Taiwo Atieno
Willie Simms
on loan from New England Revolution
, and John Krause, who played briefly for Clarke on the Mariners. The club would finish comfortably in 6th place, two spots on top of the last playoff spot.
The Islanders managed to edge out Montreal
during its Quarterfinals series with an aggregate score of 5:3, but fell 4:2 in penalties against Regular Season Champions Seattle Sounders
after losing the home leg and tying the series in Seattle.
The 2008 season would be Clarke's first full season as the clubs manager and he worked quickly to revamp the club's line-up, bringing back just a few players from the 2007 squad. He would bring in players like Sandi Gbandi
, Jonny Steele
, Bill Gaudette
, Kendall Jagdeosingh
, Osei Telesford
among other who would prove key in the race for the regular season title. After a brief preseason in Florida
playing against weaker college sides, the Islanders started the 2008 season with a 1:0 defeat against Portland
, the club had a slow start with a record of 1 victory, 2 ties and 3 losses in its first 6 games, but by the end of July the Islanders where on a 5 game victory streak that would lay the foundation for the their first Commissioner's Cup run. On August 8 the club would beat Rochester 4:0 putting them for the first time at the top of the table, a position they would compete for against Vancouver for the rest of the season.
The Islanders would finish the season with a 15-9-6 record clinching the first position and the Commissioner's Cup. On top of that they achieved this even with a crowded schedule that had them playing 4 games a week between the CCL and the USL-1 Regular season and the Playoffs.
The Islanders would be seeded in the semifinals of the league's Playoffs where they would beat Rochester on an aggregate of 3:2 winning them a spot in the finals against Vancouver. In a controversial decision, the league awarded Vancouver the right to host the finals. After a 3:0 defeat against Santos Laguna
in the CCL the club headed to Vancouver where after a hard fought game, the Islanders went down 2:1. The club would also sweep the USL-1 individual awards starting with Coach of the Year Colin Clarke, Defender of the Year (Cristian Arrieta
), Goalkeeper of the Year (Bill Gaudette
), and USL-1 MVP (Jonny Steele
).
The Islanders just coming of a successful 2008 season started preparations for 2009 early in February where they went up to Florida
for a group of friendlies against teams like New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire and the 2008 MLS Champions Columbus Crew
. The club in an attempt to repeat what was achieved the previous year brought back the bulk of the roster with the notable exception of Kenyan International Taiwo Atieno
and Salvadorian Edwin Miranda
. Also they signed manager Colin Clarke to a three year contract as a way to bring continuity to the squad.
Before the CCL's Quarterfinals Clarke, as a way to strengthen the squad, brought in midfielder Martin Nuñez
from the Carolina Railhawks, defender Kevon Villaroel
from San Juan Jabloteh
, and striker Sean Fraser from Miami FC
. But most notably Jamaican striker Nicholas Addlery
who had an immediate impact on the club scoring 5 goals in his first five games with the Islanders. The club would make it all the way to the semi-finals, where they lost to Cruz Azul of Mexico in penalty shots after the series was tied 3:3 in Estadio Azul
, Mexico City
on April 7. During this time they also acquire former Los Angeles Galaxy
defender Kyle Veris
, midfielder Domenic Mediate
, who had just been released from DC United, and goalkeeper Chris McClellan
formally with the Carolina Railhawks.
Almost two weeks after their defeat in the CCL the club entered the USL 1 season as heavy favorites opening their season against defending Champions Vancouver Whitecaps on April 18 with a 2:1 victory at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
, Bayamón
. In September 2010 the Islanders announced they were leaving the USL
to join the North American Soccer League
for the 2011 season.
, in hope of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. This is possible because Puerto Rican football is governed by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
instead of the United States Soccer Federation
. This first attempt at international success was the first time a team from Puerto Rico
ever participated in its confederation's club competitions. The CFU Club Championship 2006 played in November saw the Islanders host Group C which included Hoppers F.C.
(Antigua and Barbuda
), W Connection
(Trinidad and Tobago
) and Fruta Conquerors (Guyana
), the latter dropped out of the tournament weeks before group play. The Islanders beat Hoppers FC 3-1 but lost to W-Connection 0-1 ending the squads first international appearance.
In October 2007, the Islanders came into the CFU Club Championship 2007
with a much stronger squad, which was relatively unchanged from the squad that made it to the semifinals of the USL First Division
playoffs and it showed, making it all the way to the tournaments semifinals losing out to Joe Public F.C.
0:1 from a late goal. The entire tournament was played in Trinidad and Tobago, the Islanders headed their group with a 2:2 tied against Harbor View FC, which later became the tournament's champions, and two victories. In this tournament, the team also broke several of their on-field records, it achieved its highest score line, a 10:0 victory over Hitachi Centre SAP FC, in the same game Fabrice Noël
scored the team's first ever hat trick with a tally of four goals. This would be the last time the Islanders would play to try to qualify to this incarnation of the confederations top club tournament, since this competition format was abandoned in 2008.
, which replaced CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2008-2009. The Islanders were given a chance to qualify due to the fact that the 2008 installment of the CFU Club Championship
would be played after the CCL starts, three Caribbean sides would be chosen from last years CFU CC; the Champions, runner-up and the third place team. Since the third place game wasn't played during the tournament the Islanders and San Juan Jabloteh
(the 2007 local Trinidad & Tobago League Champions), the two teams that lost in the semifinals, played a Home-Away Series to determine who would take the last spot, which ended in a 1:0 aggregate in favor of the Islanders.
The Islanders were later matched up against regional powerhouse L.D. Alajuelense of Costa Rica
in the prelimanary round of the CONCACAF Champions League
. The first leg of the series was played on August 27, 2008 in the Alajuelense home ground, the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto
and in front of 900 spectators, the game ended with a hard fought 1:1 draw. The second leg was played on September 3, and it took the Islanders two late goals to come from behind and win the game 2-1; with an aggregate of 3:2, the Islanders advanced to the group stage, being placed in Group D, which included Club Santos Laguna, Tauro F.C.
and C.S.D. Municipal. In the first game of this round, the team defeated Tauro F.C. by one goal, with a final score of 2:1. On September 23, the Islanders defeated Santos Laguna, 3:1. In the third game, the team tied with Municipal with two goals each. On the return matches, the team lost to Santos FC 3:0 in Torreón, Mexico playing with their "bench" team preparing for their respective USL semi-finals matches. After in a close game back in Puerto Rico it was C.S.D. Municipal's turn in a 0:1 loss with a goal near the end of the match. These two losses had the team in a tight position as they were also going though their USL finals match. It was a must win situation for the last match against Tauro F.C. in Panama or at least a tie in order to qualify for the next stage in the tournament. On October 29, 2008 Islanders FC vs Tauro F.C. ended in a battled 2:2 match which resulted in favor of Islanders FC and qualified them for the final eight of the CONCACAF Champions League. On December 10, 2008, the Islanders were paired against C.D. Marathón in the final eight draft. On February 26, 2009, the team defeated C.D. Marathón with scores of 2:1, playing at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. In the second date of this stage, they pulled off a last-minute victory, one goal to none, in a game that took place at San Pedro Sula. On March 17, 2009, The Islanders defeated Cruz Azul, two goals to none, in the first leg of the semifinals in Bayamón. On the second leg, played on April 7, 2009, Cruz Azul won 2:0 and drove the game into extra time, where it ended 3:1, the away goal not being a tie breaker because of a controversial away goals rule
in the CONCACAF. The game was defined in penalties and ended 4:2 in favor of Cruz Azul.
in Preliminary Round action. The Islanders won the first match 1-0 with a goal from Kendall Jagdeosingh
. The return match was played to a goalless draw, and so the Islanders advanced to the group round.
In the Group Phase, the Islanders lost away to the Crew 2-0, then lost away at Saprissa. They were able to draw at home against Cruz Azul in Matchday 3, albeit after giving up the lead late in the match. On match day 4, they were again ahead at home, but allowed a goal at the buzzer to leave the game a 1-1 draw vs Saprissa. On match day 5, the Islanders lost to Cruz Azul in Mexico City, 2-0. This loss officially eliminated the Islanders from advancement in the tournament.
Los Angeles Galaxy
and advanced to the group stage after winning 5-3 global (lost 1-2 at home). In the group stage, the Islanders finished 3rd behind Club Toluca
and Club Deportivo Olimpia
, getting eliminated from the competition.
in the form of the Supercopa DirecTV 2010
. They were placed in group B of the tournament. The Islanders made their debut vs Sevilla FC Puerto Rico with the game ending as a draw. Four days later, they played Puerto Rico United
with a final score of 3 to 0 in favor of them. On November 12, 2010, the Islanders beat Caguas Huracán
11 to nothing.
Since 2006 the club has also added a third kit which was white until 2007. In 2008 the club used a neon green kit with two lighter neon green vertical stripes and black shorts. For the present year, 2009, the third kit is solid royal blue shirt and shorts.
This incarnation of the Islanders has always played their home games at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
in the city of Bayamón, which is located about 10 minutes from the Capital San Juan
. The "JRL", as its now known, was originally a baseball stadium scheduled for demolition, and in 2003, it was converted into a soccer stadium for the Islanders. It is also home to all levels of the Puerto Rico national football team
as well as the Islanders' affiliate team in the local Puerto Rico Soccer League
, Bayamón FC
.
The Stadium has a capacity for 12,500 spectators. In 2008, the USL did not allow the #1-seed Islanders to host the USL-1 Championship match, citing that the Stadium was unsuitable. The match was played in Vancouver, where Puerto Rico lost to the Whitecaps, 2-1. On December 8 of 2008, the Finance Vice-President of the club Jorge Pierluisi, established a preliminary meeting with the firm CMA Architects and Engineers along with Positive Impact-Sports and Entertainment Management Consultants to discuss and evaluate improvements of the stadium and the remodeling of such.
, going back to the Islanders' first year in the A-League. Charleston was the first team the Islanders beat and since then the Islanders have routinely beaten or tied Charleston. In 2006, Charleston stopped the Islanders' playoff run, giving them their only victory in the series. In 2007, the Islanders beat the Battery in the last game of the season, stopping Charleston's hope for a playoff berth. The Islanders currently have a record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 7 ties against their South Carolina rivals. From 2008, the Islanders have met with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL-NASL playoffs with the Islanders eliminating the Rhinos from the series in both 2008 and 2009.
The Islanders' main rivals within Puerto Rico are Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico
. Their rivalry dates back to around the year 2005 when River wanted to join the USL, but the Islanders had territorial rights in Puerto Rico and they didn't allow River to join. Ever since then River Plate's front office, fans, and some players have had a grudge against the Islanders. The rivalry is a very special one though, because the teams had never faced in neither an official nor an unofficial match until 2010, even though the rivalry started way before then. With the Islanders joining the Puerto Rico Soccer League
, their rivalry is expected to become into the first Puerto Rican Football Classic or "El Clásico Boricua
". Their first two matches took place in the Supercopa DirecTV 2010
finals in 2010. River won both games and went on to win the championship.
, its goal is to develop players from PRISA with extraordinary potential so that they can eventually make the jump to either the Islanders or Bayamón FC
.
under the PRISA umbrella called the Arecibo Islanders Soccer Academy, which is composed from U5 to U20 teams.
They will broadcast in English via the official Puerto Rico Islanders page on the internet live streaming for free.
- Assistant Coach Jack Stefanowski - Goalkeeping Coach Magdiel Mayol - Team Doctor Christian Cotto - Head Athletic Trainer
(2004-2006) Jorge Alvial
(2006) Toribio Rojas
(2006-2007) Colin Clarke (2007-present)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League (NASL), the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
.
The team plays its home games at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station on premises.-Early life:...
, where they have played since 2004. The team's colors are orange and white. Their current head coach is Northern Irishman Colin Clarke.
USISL
In 1995, a team called the Puerto Rico Islanders joined the USISL, now the United Soccer LeaguesUnited Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
(USL). The team had been founded by Joe Serralta and other Puerto Rican businessmen and had played only seven games before Serralta decided to move the franchise to Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
on June 1, changing its name to the Houston Force
Houston Force
The Houston Force were an American soccer club. In 1994, the club was originally called the Puerto Rico Islanders, but were force to move by FIFA before playing any games. Landing in Houston, Texas on June 1, the Force only played one game before folding....
. The move was prompted by problems with the Puerto Rican Football Federation and low attendances. The Force folded after one game in Houston.
Early years (2003-2005)
Eight year after Serralta's first attempt at professional football, he gave it another go and together with a new group of Puerto Rican businessmen officially created the current incarnation of the Puerto Rico Islanders. The team played their first A-League season, now the USL First DivisionUSL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, in 2004. The original squad was composed of a large number of local Puerto Rican players and a contingency of foreign players composed of Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Brazilians, Salvadoran and Argentines
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
completed this first squad, the team was coached by Brazilian Vitor Hugo Barros who was replaced several games into the season by Argentine Hugo Hernán Maradona
Hugo Maradona
Hugo Hernán Maradona , also known as El Turco, is an Argentine Association football coach and former player. He played for clubs in South America, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and was a member of the Argentine U-16 national team.-Career:...
, brother of the legendary Diego Armando Maradona. The team played its first league game on April 17, 2004 against the Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station on premises.-Early life:...
, the Islanders lost 1-0 in front of a reported 6,000 fans. The Islanders had their first victory on January 15, 2004 against the Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
with a score of 1-0 at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station on premises.-Early life:...
. Led by players like Mauricio Salles
Mauricio Salles
Mauricio Salles is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Itabuna. On January 20, 2010 he was ranked 25th in the USL First Division Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.-South America:Salles turned professional in...
, Raúl Díaz Arce
Raúl Díaz Arce
Raúl Díaz Arce is a retired Salvadoran football player.He is El Salvador's second most prolific goal scorer behind Jorge "Mágico" González, with 39 goals in just 68 appearances.-Early career:...
and Luis Fernando Zuleta Mechura the Islanders finished the 2004 season in 14th place, with a record of 5 wins, 17 losses and 6 ties.
In 2005, the Islanders still under Hugo Hernán Maradona
Hugo Maradona
Hugo Hernán Maradona , also known as El Turco, is an Argentine Association football coach and former player. He played for clubs in South America, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and was a member of the Argentine U-16 national team.-Career:...
brought in a new group of players that would become staples in the club for the next couple of seasons (Petter Villegas
Petter Villegas
Petter Villegas is a Ecuadorian-born Puerto Rican footballer currently playing for Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and college:...
, Marco Velez
Marco Vélez
Marco Vélez is a Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
, Dan Kennedy
Dan Kennedy (soccer)
Daniel Hoffard "Dan" Kennedy is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
, Caleb Norkus
Caleb Norkus
Joshua Caleb Norkus is a retired American soccer player who serves as a youth coach for the Carolina RailHawks. He played professionally in Germany, Chile, Puerto Rico and the United States...
, Alejandro González Pareja and Noah Delgado
Noah Delgado
Noah Delgado is an American-born Puerto Rican footballer currently playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-High School and College:...
), and retained several key players like Mauricio Salles
Mauricio Salles
Mauricio Salles is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Itabuna. On January 20, 2010 he was ranked 25th in the USL First Division Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.-South America:Salles turned professional in...
. At the end of the season, the Islanders had an improved season record with 10 wins, 10 losses and 8 ties, this time barely missing the playoff.
Toribio Rojas Era (2006-2007)
The Islanders opened their 2006 season with a mix of new players like Argentine Gustavo Barros-Schelotto, Chilean Arturo NorambuenaArturo Norambuena
Arturo Andrés Norambuena Ardiles , commonly known as Arturo Norambuena, is a Chilean footballer who plays as striker. He is unattached. He previously played in his homeland with Universidad Católica. Norambuena graduated in forestry in Universidad Austral de Chile.Norambuena has been involved with...
, Canadian Alen Marcina
Alen Marcina
Alen Marcina is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Miami FC in the USL First Division.-Club:...
, and homegrown talent Marco Vélez
Marco Vélez
Marco Vélez is a Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
, Alexis Rivera
Alexis Rivera
Alexis "Pasa" Rivera Curet is a Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Club:...
, Rafael Ortiz Huertas, and American Dan Kennedy to create one of the strongest lineups in the club's short history, in a serious attempt to take the USL Div. 1 title for the first time.
Formed under the management of then head coach Jorge Alvial
Jorge Alvial
Jorge Alvial is an Chilean football manager and international scout for Chelsea FC. In 2006, he was the coach of the USL Puerto Rico Islanders. However, following the 2006 season he left the team to be Chief Scout of the Americas for Chelsea FC, and was replaced by Toribio Rojas...
, the 2006 Islanders had a record of 3-2-1 up to early June, whene Alvial put in his resignation to become a scout for the English club Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. The club lumbered across the last half of the season barely making the playoffs, under the new head coach Toribio Rojas
Toribio Rojas
Toribio Rojas Gamboa is the former coach of the Puerto Rico Islanders, a USL First Division soccer team. He also has coached the Costa Rican National team from 1993 to 1995.-External links:*...
, Jorge Alvial
Jorge Alvial
Jorge Alvial is an Chilean football manager and international scout for Chelsea FC. In 2006, he was the coach of the USL Puerto Rico Islanders. However, following the 2006 season he left the team to be Chief Scout of the Americas for Chelsea FC, and was replaced by Toribio Rojas...
's assistant coach, finishing the season in 6th place and with a record of 10-8-10.
In the weekend before the 2006 playoffs, the Islanders hosted Miami FC
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
twice, who had Brazilians Romario
Romário
Romário de Souza Faria , better known simply as Romário , is a former footballer who played striker,manager and current politician where is currently running for a mayor like position in his hometown...
and Zinho in their line up. The Islanders needed four points to qualify for the Playoffs. After going down 0:2 in the first half the Islanders managed to come back and win 4:2 in front of 8,600.
In the final game of the season against Miami on September 10, 2006, they attracted a record crowd of nearly 11,000 fans. Early in the second half Miami took the lead. It wasn't until the 43rd minute of the second half that the Islanders equalized with an Arturo Norambuena
Arturo Norambuena
Arturo Andrés Norambuena Ardiles , commonly known as Arturo Norambuena, is a Chilean footballer who plays as striker. He is unattached. He previously played in his homeland with Universidad Católica. Norambuena graduated in forestry in Universidad Austral de Chile.Norambuena has been involved with...
penalty. A draw was sufficient for the Islanders to qualify in front of Seattle and Atlanta.
In the first round of the playoffs, the team played a home-away series against the Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. Unfortunately for the Islanders, Charleston won the series 3:2, ending the 2006 season for the Puerto Ricans.
The team came into the 2007 season on a high, they had just played a preseason tournament against MLS teams and achieved very successful results. They also had signed several dangerous players like Panamanian trio Victor Herrera
Victor Herrera
Victor Herrera might refer to:*Victor Hugo Herrera , Colombian track and road cyclist*Víctor Herrera Piggott , Panamanian football player...
, a Panamanian international, Gustavo Avila
Gustavo Avila
Gustavo Ávila is a retired jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is best known as the jockey who rode Canonero II to victory in the 1971 American Classic Races, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.-References:...
, and Alberto Zapata
Alberto Zapata
Alberto Zapata is a professional football forward who currently plays in Sporting San Miguelito.-International career:...
, a new goalkeeper Josh Saunders
Josh Saunders
Josh Saunders is an American-born Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, rookie Jay Needham
Jay Needham
Jay Needham is an American soccer player currently playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League....
, plus a return of players like Marco Vélez
Marco Vélez
Marco Vélez is a Puerto Rican footballer who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
, Petter Villegas
Petter Villegas
Petter Villegas is a Ecuadorian-born Puerto Rican footballer currently playing for Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and college:...
and Noah Delgado
Noah Delgado
Noah Delgado is an American-born Puerto Rican footballer currently playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-High School and College:...
. The squad was considered serious contenders for the title.
After one early success, the team took a turn for the worst. It was evident that Toribio Rojas
Toribio Rojas
Toribio Rojas Gamboa is the former coach of the Puerto Rico Islanders, a USL First Division soccer team. He also has coached the Costa Rican National team from 1993 to 1995.-External links:*...
had lost his edge and after an embarrassing 2:1 lost against bottom table Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
was let go from his coaching position and given the post of Youth System Director, when he left the team with a record of 1-3-3. Also attendance went down.
Clarke Era (2007-present)
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
manager Colin Clarke, who had found himself without a job after the Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...
went out of business. He immediately established himself as a hard and hotheaded coach demanding discipline from his players. Shortly after he was nickname "El General" by the media and fans because of the way he led the squad during practice.
This change also translated in a change of fortunes for the club, in the first match under Clarke the club beat the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
2:1, just a week after, under Toribio, they had lost against them. Clarke also brought in players who would become key figures in the future like Haitian International Fabrice Noel
Fabrice Noël
Fabrice Noël is a Haitian soccer player who currently plays for Shanghai East Asia in the China League One.-Early life and career in Haiti:...
, then Englishman, now Kenyan International, Taiwo Atieno
Taiwo Atieno
Taiwo Leo Awuonda Atieno is an English-born Kenya international footballer, who currently plays for League Two side Torquay United. He previously played in the Football League for Walsall, Rochdale, Chester City and Darlington, and in the USL First Division for the Puerto Rico Islanders and...
Willie Simms
Willie Simms
Willie Simms was an American Hall of Fame thoroughbred horse racing jockey....
on loan from New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
, and John Krause, who played briefly for Clarke on the Mariners. The club would finish comfortably in 6th place, two spots on top of the last playoff spot.
The Islanders managed to edge out Montreal
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
during its Quarterfinals series with an aggregate score of 5:3, but fell 4:2 in penalties against Regular Season Champions Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
after losing the home leg and tying the series in Seattle.
The 2008 season would be Clarke's first full season as the clubs manager and he worked quickly to revamp the club's line-up, bringing back just a few players from the 2007 squad. He would bring in players like Sandi Gbandi
Sandi Gbandi
Sandy Gbandi is a Liberian soccer player.-Early life and college:Born near the Firestone rubber plantation, Gbandi and his family fled from his native Liberia to Houston, Texas following the outbreak of the First Liberian Civil War in 1989, when he was just six years old...
, Jonny Steele
Jonny Steele
Jonathan "Jonny" Steele is a Northern Irish footballer currently playing for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League, on loan from FC Tampa Bay...
, Bill Gaudette
Bill Gaudette
Bill Gaudette is an American soccer player who currently plays for Montreal Impact in the North American Soccer League....
, Kendall Jagdeosingh
Kendall Jagdeosingh
Kendall Jagdeosingh is a Trinidadian footballer who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-Club:...
, Osei Telesford
Osei Telesford
Osei Telesford is a Trinidadian footballer who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
among other who would prove key in the race for the regular season title. After a brief preseason in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
playing against weaker college sides, the Islanders started the 2008 season with a 1:0 defeat against Portland
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
, the club had a slow start with a record of 1 victory, 2 ties and 3 losses in its first 6 games, but by the end of July the Islanders where on a 5 game victory streak that would lay the foundation for the their first Commissioner's Cup run. On August 8 the club would beat Rochester 4:0 putting them for the first time at the top of the table, a position they would compete for against Vancouver for the rest of the season.
The Islanders would finish the season with a 15-9-6 record clinching the first position and the Commissioner's Cup. On top of that they achieved this even with a crowded schedule that had them playing 4 games a week between the CCL and the USL-1 Regular season and the Playoffs.
The Islanders would be seeded in the semifinals of the league's Playoffs where they would beat Rochester on an aggregate of 3:2 winning them a spot in the finals against Vancouver. In a controversial decision, the league awarded Vancouver the right to host the finals. After a 3:0 defeat against Santos Laguna
Santos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise...
in the CCL the club headed to Vancouver where after a hard fought game, the Islanders went down 2:1. The club would also sweep the USL-1 individual awards starting with Coach of the Year Colin Clarke, Defender of the Year (Cristian Arrieta
Cristian Arrieta
Cristian Arrieta is an American-born Puerto Rican footballer currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League....
), Goalkeeper of the Year (Bill Gaudette
Bill Gaudette
Bill Gaudette is an American soccer player who currently plays for Montreal Impact in the North American Soccer League....
), and USL-1 MVP (Jonny Steele
Jonny Steele
Jonathan "Jonny" Steele is a Northern Irish footballer currently playing for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League, on loan from FC Tampa Bay...
).
The Islanders just coming of a successful 2008 season started preparations for 2009 early in February where they went up to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
for a group of friendlies against teams like New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire and the 2008 MLS Champions Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. The club in an attempt to repeat what was achieved the previous year brought back the bulk of the roster with the notable exception of Kenyan International Taiwo Atieno
Taiwo Atieno
Taiwo Leo Awuonda Atieno is an English-born Kenya international footballer, who currently plays for League Two side Torquay United. He previously played in the Football League for Walsall, Rochdale, Chester City and Darlington, and in the USL First Division for the Puerto Rico Islanders and...
and Salvadorian Edwin Miranda
Edwin Miranda
Edwin Miranda is a Salvadoran footballer who currently plays for Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.-College:...
. Also they signed manager Colin Clarke to a three year contract as a way to bring continuity to the squad.
Before the CCL's Quarterfinals Clarke, as a way to strengthen the squad, brought in midfielder Martin Nuñez
Martin Nuñez
Martín Núñez is a Uruguayan footballer currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
from the Carolina Railhawks, defender Kevon Villaroel
Kevon Villaroel
Kevon Villaroel is a Trinidadian soccer player who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Youth and Amateur:Villaroel attended Fatima College and St...
from San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh is a football club located in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago that currently plays in the country's Pro League. The team plays its home games in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.- History :...
, and striker Sean Fraser from Miami FC
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. But most notably Jamaican striker Nicholas Addlery
Nicholas Addlery
Nicholas Addlery is a Jamaican football player who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
who had an immediate impact on the club scoring 5 goals in his first five games with the Islanders. The club would make it all the way to the semi-finals, where they lost to Cruz Azul of Mexico in penalty shots after the series was tied 3:3 in Estadio Azul
Estadio Azul
The Estadio Azul, is a 35,000-seat stadium located in Mexico City. This sports facility is currently used for association football matches and previously for American football. It is the home of Mexican football club Cruz Azul; it has been also home for Atlante F.C...
, Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
on April 7. During this time they also acquire former Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
defender Kyle Veris
Kyle Veris
Kyle Veris is an American soccer player currently playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...
, midfielder Domenic Mediate
Domenic Mediate
Domenic Mediate is a retired American soccer player who last played for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division.-College and Amateur:...
, who had just been released from DC United, and goalkeeper Chris McClellan
Chris McClellan
Chris McClellan is an American soccer player who currently plays for USASA amateur team CASL Elite.-Youth and College:...
formally with the Carolina Railhawks.
Almost two weeks after their defeat in the CCL the club entered the USL 1 season as heavy favorites opening their season against defending Champions Vancouver Whitecaps on April 18 with a 2:1 victory at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station on premises.-Early life:...
, Bayamón
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
. In September 2010 the Islanders announced they were leaving the USL
USL
USL may refer to:Arts and entertainment* Underground Sound of Lisbon, a Portuguese dance music project* Urban Strawberry Lunch, a Band from LiverpoolComputing* Universal Systems Language, a language for system engineering and software development...
to join the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League (2010)
The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
for the 2011 season.
International performance
In 2006 the Islanders venture into the international stage participating in the CFU Club ChampionshipCFU Club Championship
The CFU Club Championship or CFU Club Champions' Cup is the annual international football competition held amongst association football clubs from the Caribbean Islands for clubs that are members of the Caribbean Football Union...
, in hope of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. This is possible because Puerto Rican football is governed by the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol
The Puerto Rican Football Federation is the governing body of football in Puerto Rico, it was founded in 1940 and became affiliated to FIFA in 1960, one of the last to do so in the Western Hemisphere...
instead of the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
. This first attempt at international success was the first time a team from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
ever participated in its confederation's club competitions. The CFU Club Championship 2006 played in November saw the Islanders host Group C which included Hoppers F.C.
Hoppers F.C.
Hoppers Football Club is an Antiguan football team playing in the Antigua and Barbuda Premier Division. It is based in Green Bay.-History:The Greenbay Hoppers FC is a nonprofit organization which was formed over 40 years ago. One of the founders, Mr...
(Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
), W Connection
W Connection
Vibe CT 105 Williams Connection is a football club from Trinidad and Tobago, which currently plays in the Pro League. The club plays its home games in Manny Ramjohn Stadium...
(Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
) and Fruta Conquerors (Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
), the latter dropped out of the tournament weeks before group play. The Islanders beat Hoppers FC 3-1 but lost to W-Connection 0-1 ending the squads first international appearance.
In October 2007, the Islanders came into the CFU Club Championship 2007
CFU Club Championship 2007
The 2007 CFU Club Championship is the annual international football club competition held in the Caribbean Football Union region. Nineteen teams will compete in this year tournament from November 4 to November 16 in six venues in Trinidad & Tobago. The first round will consist of five groups to be...
with a much stronger squad, which was relatively unchanged from the squad that made it to the semifinals of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
playoffs and it showed, making it all the way to the tournaments semifinals losing out to Joe Public F.C.
Joe Public F.C.
Joe Public Football Club is a football club from Trinidad and Tobago currently playing in the Pro League. Nicknamed the Eastern Lions, they are owned by former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner...
0:1 from a late goal. The entire tournament was played in Trinidad and Tobago, the Islanders headed their group with a 2:2 tied against Harbor View FC, which later became the tournament's champions, and two victories. In this tournament, the team also broke several of their on-field records, it achieved its highest score line, a 10:0 victory over Hitachi Centre SAP FC, in the same game Fabrice Noël
Fabrice Noël
Fabrice Noël is a Haitian soccer player who currently plays for Shanghai East Asia in the China League One.-Early life and career in Haiti:...
scored the team's first ever hat trick with a tally of four goals. This would be the last time the Islanders would play to try to qualify to this incarnation of the confederations top club tournament, since this competition format was abandoned in 2008.
2008-2009 CONCACAF Champions League
The team played in the new CONCACAF Champions LeagueCONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
, which replaced CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2008-2009. The Islanders were given a chance to qualify due to the fact that the 2008 installment of the CFU Club Championship
CFU Club Championship
The CFU Club Championship or CFU Club Champions' Cup is the annual international football competition held amongst association football clubs from the Caribbean Islands for clubs that are members of the Caribbean Football Union...
would be played after the CCL starts, three Caribbean sides would be chosen from last years CFU CC; the Champions, runner-up and the third place team. Since the third place game wasn't played during the tournament the Islanders and San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh
San Juan Jabloteh is a football club located in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago that currently plays in the country's Pro League. The team plays its home games in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.- History :...
(the 2007 local Trinidad & Tobago League Champions), the two teams that lost in the semifinals, played a Home-Away Series to determine who would take the last spot, which ended in a 1:0 aggregate in favor of the Islanders.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
in the prelimanary round of the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
. The first leg of the series was played on August 27, 2008 in the Alajuelense home ground, the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto
Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto
Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto Scotiabank is a multi-purpose stadium in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of L.D. Alajuelense. The stadium is owned and operated by La Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and is located in El Llano de Alajuela...
and in front of 900 spectators, the game ended with a hard fought 1:1 draw. The second leg was played on September 3, and it took the Islanders two late goals to come from behind and win the game 2-1; with an aggregate of 3:2, the Islanders advanced to the group stage, being placed in Group D, which included Club Santos Laguna, Tauro F.C.
Tauro F.C.
Tauro Fútbol Club is a professional football club located in Panama City, Panama that plays in Liga Panameña de Fútbol, the top Panamanian football league. Tauro has won seven Liga Profesional de Fútbol Championships since 1988, the highest total of any team. The club has also finished second seven...
and C.S.D. Municipal. In the first game of this round, the team defeated Tauro F.C. by one goal, with a final score of 2:1. On September 23, the Islanders defeated Santos Laguna, 3:1. In the third game, the team tied with Municipal with two goals each. On the return matches, the team lost to Santos FC 3:0 in Torreón, Mexico playing with their "bench" team preparing for their respective USL semi-finals matches. After in a close game back in Puerto Rico it was C.S.D. Municipal's turn in a 0:1 loss with a goal near the end of the match. These two losses had the team in a tight position as they were also going though their USL finals match. It was a must win situation for the last match against Tauro F.C. in Panama or at least a tie in order to qualify for the next stage in the tournament. On October 29, 2008 Islanders FC vs Tauro F.C. ended in a battled 2:2 match which resulted in favor of Islanders FC and qualified them for the final eight of the CONCACAF Champions League. On December 10, 2008, the Islanders were paired against C.D. Marathón in the final eight draft. On February 26, 2009, the team defeated C.D. Marathón with scores of 2:1, playing at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. In the second date of this stage, they pulled off a last-minute victory, one goal to none, in a game that took place at San Pedro Sula. On March 17, 2009, The Islanders defeated Cruz Azul, two goals to none, in the first leg of the semifinals in Bayamón. On the second leg, played on April 7, 2009, Cruz Azul won 2:0 and drove the game into extra time, where it ended 3:1, the away goal not being a tie breaker because of a controversial away goals rule
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
in the CONCACAF. The game was defined in penalties and ended 4:2 in favor of Cruz Azul.
2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League
The Puerto Rico Islanders started the CONCACAF Champions League 2009-10 on July 29, 2009 against Toronto FCToronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
in Preliminary Round action. The Islanders won the first match 1-0 with a goal from Kendall Jagdeosingh
Kendall Jagdeosingh
Kendall Jagdeosingh is a Trinidadian footballer who currently plays for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-Club:...
. The return match was played to a goalless draw, and so the Islanders advanced to the group round.
In the Group Phase, the Islanders lost away to the Crew 2-0, then lost away at Saprissa. They were able to draw at home against Cruz Azul in Matchday 3, albeit after giving up the lead late in the match. On match day 4, they were again ahead at home, but allowed a goal at the buzzer to leave the game a 1-1 draw vs Saprissa. On match day 5, the Islanders lost to Cruz Azul in Mexico City, 2-0. This loss officially eliminated the Islanders from advancement in the tournament.
2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League
The Islanders began the Champions League on July 27, 2010 with a 4-1 away win at Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
and advanced to the group stage after winning 5-3 global (lost 1-2 at home). In the group stage, the Islanders finished 3rd behind Club Toluca
Club Toluca
Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club is a Mexican professional football club. Toluca's stadium Nemesio Diez Riega is located in Toluca, State of Mexico in Mexico. Toluca plays in the Primera División de México and has been champion ten times...
and Club Deportivo Olimpia
Club Deportivo Olimpia
Club Deportivo Olimpia is a Honduran football and baseball club based in Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán. They compete in the Liga Nacional de Honduras, the top division in the country, and play their home matches in the Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino...
, getting eliminated from the competition.
PRSL Supercopa 2010
2010 was the first year that the Puerto Rico Islanders played in a tournament from the PRSLPuerto Rico Soccer League
The Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
in the form of the Supercopa DirecTV 2010
Supercopa DirecTV 2010
The 2010 Puerto Rico Soccer League season was a one-off competition that served as a qualifying tournament for Puerto Rican teams to the 2011 CFU Club Championship...
. They were placed in group B of the tournament. The Islanders made their debut vs Sevilla FC Puerto Rico with the game ending as a draw. Four days later, they played Puerto Rico United
Puerto Rico United
Puerto Rico United is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays The team competes in the Puerto Rico Soccer League....
with a final score of 3 to 0 in favor of them. On November 12, 2010, the Islanders beat Caguas Huracán
Caguas Huracán
Huracán Fútbol Club is a Puerto Rican football club from Caguas, who currently play in the Puerto Rico Soccer League.-History:The team was originally established in 1991...
11 to nothing.
Colors and badge
During the club's first two years (2004–2005) they played in all white and all blue kits, with no clear distinction between which was considered its home kit. In 2006 the club adopted orange, dark blue and white as their primary colors. That year they wore dark blue with thick vertical orange stripes and dark blue shorts as their home kits and orange with white thick vertical stripes and orange shorts as their away kit. In 2007 the club switch to orange with white vertical pinstripes and orange shorts as their home kits and dark blue with orange vertical stripes that curve towards the sleeve and dark blue shorts as their away kit. The current home kits is an all orange one, while the away kit is white with gray horizontal pinstripes and white shorts.Since 2006 the club has also added a third kit which was white until 2007. In 2008 the club used a neon green kit with two lighter neon green vertical stripes and black shorts. For the present year, 2009, the third kit is solid royal blue shirt and shorts.
History of the kit
Kit manufacturers
- 2004-05: LegeaLegeaLegea is a sportswear company founded in 1990, in Pompei, Italy. It is one of the most popular brands among Italian amateur football teams, now heavily expanding also among top division professional clubs....
- 2006-07: Calvo
- 2008: Torino
- 2009-current: UmbroUmbroUmbro is an English sportswear and football equipment supplier based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England. The company is now part of Nike. Umbro designs, sources, and markets sport-related apparel, footwear, and equipment...
Shirt sponsors
- 2004-09: Centennial de Puerto RicoCentennial CommunicationsCentennial Communications and its subsidiaries provide wireless and broadband telecommunications services to wireless telephone subscribers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands...
- 2010-11: AT&TAT&TAT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
- 2011-: Toyota
Stadium
- Juan Ramon Loubriel StadiumJuan Ramón Loubriel StadiumThe Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station on premises.-Early life:...
; Bayamón, Puerto RicoBayamón, Puerto RicoBayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
(2004-present)
This incarnation of the Islanders has always played their home games at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station on premises.-Early life:...
in the city of Bayamón, which is located about 10 minutes from the Capital San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. The "JRL", as its now known, was originally a baseball stadium scheduled for demolition, and in 2003, it was converted into a soccer stadium for the Islanders. It is also home to all levels of the Puerto Rico national football team
Puerto Rico national football team
The Puerto Rico national football team is the national team of Puerto Rico and is controlled by Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol. Puerto Rico's national football team is a member of the Caribbean Football Union, part of the CONCACAF....
as well as the Islanders' affiliate team in the local Puerto Rico Soccer League
Puerto Rico Soccer League
The Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
, Bayamón FC
Bayamon FC
Bayamón FC is a football team that joined the Puerto Rico Soccer League for the 2009 season. The team plays in Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The team did not participate in the Puerto Rico Soccer League for the 2010 and 2011 seasons due to the league's instability...
.
The Stadium has a capacity for 12,500 spectators. In 2008, the USL did not allow the #1-seed Islanders to host the USL-1 Championship match, citing that the Stadium was unsuitable. The match was played in Vancouver, where Puerto Rico lost to the Whitecaps, 2-1. On December 8 of 2008, the Finance Vice-President of the club Jorge Pierluisi, established a preliminary meeting with the firm CMA Architects and Engineers along with Positive Impact-Sports and Entertainment Management Consultants to discuss and evaluate improvements of the stadium and the remodeling of such.
Supporters
The Islanders have a loyal fan base in Puerto Rico and a small but strong following in the States. Fans come from all over the Island to watch the club play in Bayamón, something uncommon for Puerto Ricans, who tend to be very regionalistic when it comes to supporting profesional sports. The team averages between 4,000 and 6,000 fans per game in its home stadium, Juan Ramon Loubriel. The club's supporter group is known as "La Barra Naranja" led by the O.S.U. or Orange Star Ultras. The Islanders also have an away game independent supporters group known as "La Legion Extranjera" or the Foreign Legion which is mostly composed of Islanders fans of Puerto Rican origin who live in the United States and travel to the cities in which the team plays.Rivalries
The club's main rivalry was against the Charleston BatteryCharleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, going back to the Islanders' first year in the A-League. Charleston was the first team the Islanders beat and since then the Islanders have routinely beaten or tied Charleston. In 2006, Charleston stopped the Islanders' playoff run, giving them their only victory in the series. In 2007, the Islanders beat the Battery in the last game of the season, stopping Charleston's hope for a playoff berth. The Islanders currently have a record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 7 ties against their South Carolina rivals. From 2008, the Islanders have met with the Rochester Rhinos in the USL-NASL playoffs with the Islanders eliminating the Rhinos from the series in both 2008 and 2009.
The Islanders' main rivals within Puerto Rico are Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico
Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico
Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the Puerto Rico Soccer League, and is the reigning Supercopa DirecTV champion....
. Their rivalry dates back to around the year 2005 when River wanted to join the USL, but the Islanders had territorial rights in Puerto Rico and they didn't allow River to join. Ever since then River Plate's front office, fans, and some players have had a grudge against the Islanders. The rivalry is a very special one though, because the teams had never faced in neither an official nor an unofficial match until 2010, even though the rivalry started way before then. With the Islanders joining the Puerto Rico Soccer League
Puerto Rico Soccer League
The Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
, their rivalry is expected to become into the first Puerto Rican Football Classic or "El Clásico Boricua
El Clásico Boricua
El Clásico Boricua , is the rivalry between the Puerto Rico Islanders and Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico....
". Their first two matches took place in the Supercopa DirecTV 2010
Supercopa DirecTV 2010
The 2010 Puerto Rico Soccer League season was a one-off competition that served as a qualifying tournament for Puerto Rican teams to the 2011 CFU Club Championship...
finals in 2010. River won both games and went on to win the championship.
Puerto Rico Islanders C
It is the club's U-20 team that participates in the Puerto Rico Soccer League 2 DivisionPuerto Rico Soccer League
The Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
, its goal is to develop players from PRISA with extraordinary potential so that they can eventually make the jump to either the Islanders or Bayamón FC
Bayamon FC
Bayamón FC is a football team that joined the Puerto Rico Soccer League for the 2009 season. The team plays in Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The team did not participate in the Puerto Rico Soccer League for the 2010 and 2011 seasons due to the league's instability...
.
Puerto Rico Islanders Academy
The Puerto Rico Islanders Soccer Academy or PRISA was founded in 2006 and its made up of U6, U8, U12, U14, U15, U17 youth teams and the Islanders C squad (U20). In 2008 the Islanders opened another academy in the northern city of AreciboArecibo
Arecibo may refer to:*Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a municipality located by the Atlantic Ocean*Arecibo Observatory, a very sensitive radio telescope located approximately south-southwest from the city of Arecibo...
under the PRISA umbrella called the Arecibo Islanders Soccer Academy, which is composed from U5 to U20 teams.
Broadcasting
For the 2011 season the company OneLink Communications will broadcast all Puerto Rico Islanders home games in Spanish only for Puerto Rico.They will broadcast in English via the official Puerto Rico Islanders page on the internet live streaming for free.
Current roster
As of September 19, 2011Staff
Colin Clarke - Head Coach Adrian WhitbreadAdrian Whitbread
Adrian Whitbread is a former professional footballer. He played for Leyton Orient, Swindon Town, West Ham United, Portsmouth and Reading before retiring from playing due to a persistent knee injury...
- Assistant Coach Jack Stefanowski - Goalkeeping Coach Magdiel Mayol - Team Doctor Christian Cotto - Head Athletic Trainer
Notable former players
For details of former players, see List of Puerto Rico Islanders playersHead coaches
Vítor Hugo Barros (2004) Hugo MaradonaHugo Maradona
Hugo Hernán Maradona , also known as El Turco, is an Argentine Association football coach and former player. He played for clubs in South America, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and was a member of the Argentine U-16 national team.-Career:...
(2004-2006) Jorge Alvial
Jorge Alvial
Jorge Alvial is an Chilean football manager and international scout for Chelsea FC. In 2006, he was the coach of the USL Puerto Rico Islanders. However, following the 2006 season he left the team to be Chief Scout of the Americas for Chelsea FC, and was replaced by Toribio Rojas...
(2006) Toribio Rojas
Toribio Rojas
Toribio Rojas Gamboa is the former coach of the Puerto Rico Islanders, a USL First Division soccer team. He also has coached the Costa Rican National team from 1993 to 1995.-External links:*...
(2006-2007) Colin Clarke (2007-present)
Domestic
- USSF Div-II Pro League
- Winner (1): 2010
- USL First Division
- Runners-up (1): 2008
- Commissioner's Cup
- Winner (1): 2008
- Supercopa DirecTV 2010Supercopa DirecTV 2010The 2010 Puerto Rico Soccer League season was a one-off competition that served as a qualifying tournament for Puerto Rican teams to the 2011 CFU Club Championship...
- Runners-up (1): 2010
CONCACAF
- CFU Club ChampionshipCFU Club ChampionshipThe CFU Club Championship or CFU Club Champions' Cup is the annual international football competition held amongst association football clubs from the Caribbean Islands for clubs that are members of the Caribbean Football Union...
- Winner (2): 20102010 CFU Club Championship--------- Group B :All matches hosted in Puerto Rico. Officially, Bayamón played as visitor in the first leg.----- Group C :All matches hosted in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.--------- Group D :All matches hosted in Guyana....
, 20112011 CFU Club ChampionshipThe 2011 CFU Club Champions’ Cup was the 2011 edition of the CFU Club Championship, which is the annual international football club competition held amongst clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union... - Runner-up (1): 2009
- Winner (2): 2010
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | |CFU Club Championship CFU Club Championship The CFU Club Championship or CFU Club Champions' Cup is the annual international football competition held amongst association football clubs from the Caribbean Islands for clubs that are members of the Caribbean Football Union... | |CONCACAF CONCACAF The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean... |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | USL A-League | 9th, Eastern | Did not qualify | CFUCC CFU Club Championship 2004 The 2004 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship was an international club football competition held in the Caribbean to determine the region's qualifier to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The 2004 edition included eight teams from six football associations, contested on a two-legged basis... |
Did not participate | CCC CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2004 The 2004 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 39th edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF region , the CONCACAF Champions' Cup... |
Did not participate | ||
| 2005 United Soccer Leagues 2005 -General:* A-League renamed USL First Division.* Pro Soccer League renamed USL Second Division.* The newly renamed top two divisions each become single table.... |
2 | USL First Division | 7th | Did not qualify | CFUCC CFU Club Championship 2005 The 2005 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship was an international club football competition held in the Caribbean to determine the region's qualifier to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup... |
Did not participate | CCC CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2005 The 2005 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 40th edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF region , the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The tournament was also a qualifying event for the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship... |
Did not participate | ||
| 2006 United Soccer Leagues 2006 -General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League .... |
2 | USL First Division | 6th | Quarter-Finals | CFUCC | Group Stage | CCC CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2006 The 2006 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 41st edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF region , the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The tournament is also a qualifying event for the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup... |
Did not participate | ||
| 2007 United Soccer Leagues 2007 The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the... |
2 | USL First Division | 6th | Semi-Finals | CFUCC CFU Club Championship 2007 The 2007 CFU Club Championship is the annual international football club competition held in the Caribbean Football Union region. Nineteen teams will compete in this year tournament from November 4 to November 16 in six venues in Trinidad & Tobago. The first round will consist of five groups to be... |
3rd place | CCC CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2007 The 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 42nd edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF region , the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. It determined that year's club champion of association football in the CONCACAF region... |
Did not qualify | ||
| 2008 United Soccer Leagues 2008 The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:... |
2 | USL First Division | 1st | Runner-up | CCC CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2008 The 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup was the 43rd and final edition of the annual international club football competition held in the CONCACAF region , the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. It determined that year's club champion of association football in the CONCACAF region... |
Did not qualify | CCL CONCACAF Champions League 2008–09 The 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League was the first edition of the CONCACAF club football championship modelled after the UEFA Champions League. It has replaced the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The championship began on 26 August 2008, and it concluded 12 May 2009. Atlante of Mexico won the... |
Semi-Finals | ||
| 2009 United Soccer Leagues 2009 The 2009 season is the 23rd season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 20 professional men's clubs in the USL First Division and USL Second Division, as well as 37 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League and 68 professional and amateur men's teams... |
2 | USL First Division | 3rd | Semi-Finals | CFUCC CFU Club Championship 2009 The 2009 CFU Club Championship was the 2009 edition of the CFU Club Championship, the annual international club competition held amongst association football clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union... |
Runner-up | CCL CONCACAF Champions League 2009–10 The 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League was the second edition of the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format. The tournament began on July 28, 2009 and ran through April 28, 2010. All four Mexican teams topped their groups and reached the semi-finals, with winning the final against with... |
Group Stage | ||
| 2010 USSF Division 2 Professional League USSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League... |
2 | USSF D-2 Pro League | 8th, Overall; 5th, USL | Champions | CFUCC | Champions | CCL 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League The 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League was the 3rd edition of the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format. The tournament began on July 27, 2010 and ended on April 27, 2011. Monterrey of Mexico won their first title, defeating Real Salt Lake of the United States 3-2 on aggregate in the... |
Group Stage | ||
| 2011 North American Soccer League (2010) The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the... |
2 | North American Soccer League | 2nd | Semi-Finals | CFUCC 2011 CFU Club Championship The 2011 CFU Club Champions’ Cup was the 2011 edition of the CFU Club Championship, which is the annual international football club competition held amongst clubs whose football associations are affiliated with the Caribbean Football Union... |
Champions | CCL 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League The 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League was the 3rd edition of the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format. The tournament began on July 27, 2010 and ended on April 27, 2011. Monterrey of Mexico won their first title, defeating Real Salt Lake of the United States 3-2 on aggregate in the... |
Preliminary Round | ||