Seven Players from the Puerto Rico Islanders have been called up to be part of the Puerto Rico national team. The “Orange Troop” becomes the club with the most amount of players on the national team, who looks for its ticket to World Cup Brazil 2014.
Marco Velez, Alexis Rivera, Scott Jones and Richard Martinez were called up as defenders, while Petter Villegas, Tyler Wilson, and Noah Delgado round out the midfield. All of them have played for the national team before, with the exception of Jones. Most of the players called up were part of the 2010 team that won the USSF Division 2 Championship. The “Boricuas “ will be in group D with Canada, San Cristobal y Nieves and Santa Lucia. The first match will be away against San Cristobal and Nieves on September 2nd.
“Obviously the Islanders are the foundation of the national team. It’s also important how the Islanders fair in the NASL so that the players can continue to play at a high level. We aren’t going to try to change too much, and we are going to take advantage of these players and the fact that they know each other, “ said newly apointed Head Coach Jeaustin Campos.
Numerous players from the Puerto Rico National Team have played for the Puerto Rico Islanders in the past. Terry Boss, goalkeeper for the MLS Seattle Sounders played for the Islanders in the 2006 and 2007 . The 2008 and 2009 USL defender of the year, Cristian Arrieta, who currently plays for the NASL Fort Lauderdale Strikers will also join the “Blue Hurricane”. Also from the NASL, John Krause, defender for the first place Carolina Railhawks will also join the club. Ex Islanders Alvaro Torres, Andrés Cabrero, Alessandro Salvatore and Issac “Saíto” Nieves round out the roster.
The Puerto Rico under 20 team also has some ties with the Islanders. Steven Estrada, Juan Velez, Elliot Velez and Gustavo Rivera all played for the Islanders Youth Academy. A total of 19 player of the 38 have some experience with the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Eduardo Carvacho Resigns
Eduardo Carvacho, general manager of the Puerto Rico Islanders has resigned for personal reasons.
“We wish Eduardo the best, he has done a tremendous with the Club. We understand his situation and we have a plan in place to continue to develop everything he started. We would like to thank him for all the time and energy he dedicated to the club,” said Puerto Rico Islanders President Andres Guillemard- Noble
"I would like to thank the ownership for the opportunity they provided me. to my staff THANK YOU for your support, commitment and dedication. Also, I am thankful for the tremendous support from our corporate sponsors. Your commitment allows the team to expand the game throughout the Island and represent Puerto Rico overseas. To the press I thank their work in helping grow the game of Futbol in Puerto Rico. Furthermore, I would like to wish our players and coaching staff only but the best in this final stretch toward another championship. Your commitment, day in and day out ,on and off the field with our community is exemplary. To the fans for your presence in the Islandera, your passion is special. I have come a “Tropa Naranja” and will support you all from the distance," said Eduardo Carvacho.
