The Puerto Rico Islanders haqve signed Puerto Rican defender Marco Vélez for the North American Soccer League (NASL), CFU Cup (Caribbean Football Union) and eventually the CONCACAF Champions League in 2011. 

Vélez, who played for Toronto FC (MLS) in 2008-2009, returned to the Islanders in 2009 to help them bring a championship to soccer fans in Puerto Rico, and as early as in 2010 they brought two (The CFU and USSF D-2 title).  This year he will wear the Islanders jersey once again with the main goal of repeating 2010’s Caribbean Championship and League Championship, and with an even higher goal of winning the CONCACAF Champions League. 

“I am committed to Puerto Rico. I will keep giving my best to reach every goal possible with the Puerto Rico Islanders, to continue to develop the sport in the island, and to bring quality soccer to our loyal fans; the best fans in the league”, said Marco Vélez. “I really appreciate what the Islanders have done and continue to do to bring soccer in Puerto Rico to another level.  To see how every day there are more and more boys and girls playing this sport that I am so passionate about, motivates me to go out there and give 100% every day”, he added.  

The 2010 USSF D-2 Champions will begin their 2011 NASL season on April 9th when they face Carolina at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. The CFU Championship will initiate in Puerto Rico from April 12-14th when they will face the winner of Walking Boyz, Co of Surinam and Northern United All Stars of St. Lucia.

The Islanders will have host their home opener on April 26 against the NSC Minnesota Stars at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, also known as “La Islandera”.