Blaine, MN (September 11, 2012) – The Puerto Rico Islanders return home without goals from Minnesota after losing 0 – 4 against the Stars FC in NSC Stadium tonight. With this result, the playoff picture becomes clearer, as the Islanders are still in third position NASL standings with 37 points and the Stars clinched the 6thand last playoff spot. The Islanders will finish the season at home, their next to last this Saturday, September 15th at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, when they receive the Minnesota Stars at 7:30 p.m.
Head Coach Adrian Whitbread spoke to PRIslandersFC.com at the end of the match: “Another one of those nights to forget, but to learn from. Bottom line is if you don’t keep possession you will struggle, especially on the road. We will get another chance on Saturday and I’m already looking forward to it”.
The Puerto Rico Islanders seemed to have everything under control at the beginning of the match, playing an aggressive style that led to an early chance by Jonathan Faña in the first minute.
The first goal arrived a few minutes later, but it was by the Stars, when Jamie Watson played a perfect pass to Nate Polak, who scored his professional goal and putting Minnesota 1 – 0 in the 16thminute.
A dangerous David Foley kept reaching the box in several occasions in the first half, made a deadly approach in the 23rdminute in an attempt to tie, but his ball sailed over the crossbar.
The Stars increased their lead right before ending the first half when Jamie Watson received a cross from Ibarra and put it in the net for Minnesota’s 2 – 0. With goals early in the second half by Watson and Walken in the 45thand 52ndminute marks, the Stars secured the victory at home and clinched the last playoff spot of the NASL 2012 season.
The Islanders return home on Saturday, September 15th to receive the Minnesota Stars at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
