2008 Aug 1 2008 Aug 1
Puerto Rico Islanders 1 - 2 Seattle Sounders
Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, PR
Puerto Rico: Bill Gaudette; Cristian Arrieta, Nigel Henry, John Krause, Alexis Rivera (Osei Telesford 83'); Noah Delgado (Sandy Gbandi 73'), Edwin Miranda, Jonathan Steele, Josh Hansen; Tai Atieno (Kendall Jagdeosingh 72'), Edson Elcock (Sandy Gbandi 76'). Substitutes not used: Michael Behonick, Daniel Ojeda.
Seattle: Chris Eylander; Taylor Graham, Danny Jackson, Kevin Sakuda, Zach Scott; Nik Besagno (Andre Schmid 65'), Ciaran O'Brien (Noah Merl 45'), Youssouf Kante (Kevin Forrest 88'), Josh Gardner; Jason Cascio (John Fishbaugher 34'), Sébastien Le Toux. Substitutes not used: Ben Dragavon.
Goals:
8' SEA: Le Toux (Cascio)
40' PR: Atieno (Steele)
60' SEA: Gardner (Le Toux)
Additional match reports: Islanders.
Match report from the Sounders:
The Seattle Sounders ended the Puerto Rico Islanders' five game win streak with a 2-1 victory at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium Friday night.
Sébastien Le Toux scored his ninth goal of the year and Josh Gardner provided the winner in the 60th minute as Seattle jumped into sole possession of fourth place in the USL-1 standings.
The win was the Sounders' second straight in league play; next up is a trip to Portland next Thursday night to take on the arch-rival Timbers on Fox Soccer Channel. Kick-off at PGE Park is set for 8:00 pm (PT).
The Sounders featured a young lineup with recent loan acquisition, Ciaran O'Brien, starting in place of injured central midfielder and brother, Leighton O'Brien. Also getting his first start was midfielder Nik Besagno starting in place of injured midfielder, Kenji Treschuk.
The Islanders controlled the run of play early and looked to grab the early advantage in the sixth minute when ex-Sounder Josh Hansen broke loose and went one on one with keeper Chris Eylander. Eylander dove left and Hansen fired wide.
The Sounders grabbed the lead in the eighth minute when Sebastien Le Toux picked up ball from Jason Cascio, after a Ciaran O'Brien throw in, and fired into the top right corner for the early lead.
The Sounders held the lead for ten minutes before the rain, which had been coming down since the goal, began to come down harder with lightning and the match was delayed for a half hour.
On the restart, the Sounders struggled to regain a rhythm and the Islanders took advantage, creating a corner in the 40th minute. On the delivery, Taiwo Atieno picked up a loose ball and got the effort past Chris Eylander. The sides went into the half level at 1-1.
At the start of the second half the Islanders searched for the lead but Eylander did well to keep the game on level terms.
The Sounders grabbed the lead and didn't look back in the 60th minute off the foot of Josh Gardner, scoring his fourth goal of the year. The goal started when Sébastien Le Toux received the ball on the right side of the 18 yard box and fired a shot in that hit the far post. Gardner scooped up the rebound and chipped it up over keeper Bill Gaudette to give Seattle the 2-1 lead.
After the goal, the Sounders brought on defensive substitutes and the Islanders couldn't get one past Eylander.
At the final whistle, Seattle found themselves ahead 2-1 and won their second straight in USL-1 play.
Statistics:
Puerto Rico Seattle
Shots: 12 5
Saves: 2 7
Corners: 5 3
Fouls: 13 8
Offsides: 4 5
Misconduct:
8' PR: Delgado cautioned
16 PR: Arrieta cautioned
54' SEA: Besagno cautioned
63' SEA: Scott cautioned
80' SEA: Eylander cautioned
87' SEA: Kante cautioned
88' SEA: Jackson cautioned
Referees: Fernando Iturriaga; Jimmy Tosado, Juan Perez; Reggie Rutty
Attendance:4,914
