In anticipation of tonight’s must win match for the Islanders in the
CONCACAF Champions League (CCL), we briefly recount one of the most
memorable Islanders moments in the CCL. After a 2-0 loss in El
Salvador last Wednesday, the Islanders return to Bayamón tonight to
face Isidro Metapán and claim a spot in the CCL group stage. It is an
uphill battle indeed but the Islanders have been known to turn things
around in this competition.

       The ‘Tropa Naranja’ is no stranger to last minute miracles. One has
to simply look at the first ever series in the CCL to find some of the
magic that led to some commentators labeling the team ‘the Cinderella
story of the CCL’. Before they ever made their incredible run to the
semi-finals of the competition in 2008-2009, the Islanders first had
to get through legendary Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense in the
preliminary round of the CCL.

       The first edition of the rebranded CONCACAF Champions League also
happened to be the first appearance in the competition for the
Islanders. The Puerto Rican club had barely even qualified for the CCL
after ending up in third place in the Caribbean Football Union’s club
competition and thus securing the last Caribbean ticket to the CCL’s
preliminary phase.

       The Islanders’ first ever match-up in the CCL was none other than
Costa Rican powerhouse LD Alajuelense. ‘La Liga’ is one of the
winningest clubs in Costa Rica, counting among their trophies two
CONCACAF Champions’ Cups and more than 30 domestic championships.

       Puerto Rico began the series with a surprising 1-1 draw in Costa
Rica. But after an early Alajuelense goal in the 5th minute of the
return leg in Bayamón, many thought the Islanders were surely heading
for an early tournament exit. The fans continued to cheer on their
team but couldn’t help getting frustrated as the minutes ticked by and
Alajuelense held on to their 2-1 aggregate score lead.

       In the 87th minute, after most had given up on the game, Kendall
Jagdeosingh got a last second touch on the ball before the Aljuelense
goalkeeper secured and it in the area and managed to send the ball to
the back of the net and equalize the game at 1-1 (2-2 aggregate). The
crowd went wild, as there was still hope for the Islanders, at least a
good chance to send the series into extra time. Then, the unbelievable
happened in the 89th minute. After a confusing defensive sequence in
front of the Costa Rican goal, striker Taiwo Atieno found the ball at
his feet and rocketed it past the keeper putting the Islanders ahead
2-1 (3-2 aggregate).

       The young Puerto Rican club had done the unthinkable. Colin Clarke’s
men had rallied in the dying seconds of the series and managed to put
away one of CONCACAF’s most storied clubs. The Islanders’ first ever
win in the CCL and the start of Puerto Rico’s Cinderella story in the
competition.