The Puerto Rico Islanders fell 2-0 at Silverback Park. The Islanders were without eight players who were on duty with their respective national teams for the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier. Two goals from Matt Horth gave the Islanders their first lose in five games. The Orange Troop returns home this Wednesday to square off against the MLS-Bound Montreal Impact . Kick off is set for 7:30.
The Silverbacks and Islanders played the opening 25 minutes evnly, trading early scoring chances. Islanders forward Yakiel Perez tested Silverbacks goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer from outside the penalty area in the match, but Maurer was able to palm the ball wide to safety to keep the game scoreless.
The home team began to push forward in the middle of the first half, and in the 28th minute, Silverbacks forward Matt Horth, flicked a header over Ray Burse after receiving a long throw in from Shanne Moroney to give the Silverbacks a 1-0.
Less than two minutes later, Horth struck again, following a long run from midfielder Raphael Cox. Cox dribbled past a pair of Islanders defenders and played the ball to Horth, who was waiting in the box to slide a shot past Burse to extend the Silverbacks’ lead to 2-0.
The Islanders created opportunities in the second half and nearly cut into the Silverbacks’ lead in the 52nd minute. Forward Matt Bouraee poked a shot toward the goal, but Maurer came up with a spectacular one – handed save to preserve the Silverbacks two goal lead.
Perez threatened the Silverbacks goal soon after, but this shot from close range went just wide of Maurer’s post. Just a minute later, former Silverbacks forward Junior Sandoval, threatened goal with a free kick outside the box, after the rebound, Perez tried to volley it in, but that shot sailed high over the frame.
