Salles Injured (Irons In USL Update)

Mauricio Salles - Image From Rochester Rhinos Website

Jeff Diveronica of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has reported that Mauricio Salles has sustained a minor leg injury. Salles has not been in the lineup for the Rochester Rhinos since coming off the bench to play 13 minutes in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Thunder on August 16th.

Diveronica has also reported that Salles has returned to his native Brazil to assist his family in obtaining the necessary documents to come to the U.S.

We here at the Local Fe26 will keep you updated as soon as anything develops. Check the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle website for more coverage of Salles and the Rhinos.

New League Named

That's right. We finally have some word on the new league.

The Ironmen announced today that they will take part in the newly formed Xtreme Soccer League (XSL).

The press release did not address any specifics on the new league structure. Details, including markets and schedules, will be announced on September 16th.

However, judging from the release, it seems that at least three other former MISL sides have signed on to the XSL: Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago. We'll continue to monitor the status of the remaining teams and keep you updated on whatever else develops.

As for the new name...well, let's just hope it grows on us. We here at the Local Fe26 will be rooting for the Ironmen to tear up the league no matter what it's called!

Ironmen Players Front And Center On FSC

As a reminder, tonight's meeting between the Charleston Battery and Puerto Rico Islanders can be seen on Fox Soccer Channel starting at 8:00 PM. The broadcast will be a good opportunity to check out two Ironmen players in action for their USL sides.

John Krause has been a mainstay on the Islanders backline. His physical presence in the box has helped the Islanders to concede the least number of goals in the league this season (21 G).

Lazo Alavanja will look to propel the Battery past the stingy Islanders defense. Alavanja has been productive in the midfield, tallying five goals and two assists in league play.

Both teams have gone in different directions as of late. The Islanders are the hottest team in the league. They are undefeated in their last six league matches and sit just one point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps for first place.

The third place Battery have been sputtering, winning just one match in their last nine. They currently sit nine points out of first.

The Islanders defeated the Battery 2-1 last Friday night.

Islanders Earn Surprise Result In Champions League Play (Irons In USL Update)

The Puerto Rico Islanders earned a surprise result last night when they played Alajuelense of Costa Rica to a 1-1 draw on the road in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary round.

The Islanders defense was tested throughout the match as Alajuelense's steady pressure resulted in a number of dangerous chances. Alajuelense's only breakthrough came around the 30th minute when Argenis Fernandez finished off a run by slotting the ball low and to the near post for the match's first goal.

But the Islanders held firm the rest of the way and found the equalizer in the second half when Osei Telesford directed a corner kick home from just atop the six yard box.

The referee awarded Alajuelense a questionable penalty kick in the waning moments of the match. But Islanders keeper Bill Guadette made a diving save to his left on the ensuing attempt to preserve the draw.

Ironmen John Krause played a key role in the Islanders' defensive effort. Krause's physical marking along with his ability to cut out dangerous balls into the box were key factors in holding Alajuelense to just one goal.

The draw favors the Islanders as the return leg will be played in Puerto Rico. The match is slated for September 3rd. Check the CONCACAF Champions League site for more info.

Islanders Move Into First; Begin Champions League Play (Irons In USL Update)

John Krause and the Puerto Rico Islanders got their busiest stretch of the season off to a positive start with a crucial victory over the Charleston Battery this past Friday. Ironmen Lazo Alavanja opened the scoring 58 minutes into the match for the Battery on his fifth goal of the season. But the Islanders stormed back with a pair of late goals to end the match at 2-1.

The win allowed Los Islenos to overtake the Battery and Vancouver Whitecaps for the top spot on the USL-1 table. The Islanders and Battery will meet again this Friday.

The Islanders will also be in action in CONCACAF Champions League play starting tonight when they travel to Costa Rica to take on Alajuelense in the first leg of their Preliminary round meeting. The match will air on Fox Soccer Channel at 10:00 PM.

Palace Bounced From Playoffs (Irons In The USL Update)

Crystal Palace Baltimore's season came to an end Saturday night when they fell to the Charlotte Eagles in the USL-2 semifinals.

Palace opened the match on the attack against the home side and earned a goal in the fifth minute for their effort. But Charlotte came out inspired after the break and equalized on a penalty kick in the 48th minute. Charlotte would get the go-ahead goal just three minutes later.

Palace earned a free kick just outside the box in the final minute of play when Charlotte's keeper came off his line to take-out a player breaking free on goal. But Palace's ensuing effort sailed just over the bar to end the scoring at 2-1 in Charlotte's favor.

Despite the disappointing loss, the season was a successful one for Palace as they remained in the top half of the standings throughout and enjoyed an inspiring run that lasted deep into the U.S. Open Cup tournament.

The season was also a success for Palace's two Ironmen players. Gary Brooks' seven league-play goals was tied for fifth best in the USL-2. Ibrahim Kante anchored a strong Palace defense that conceded just ten goals at home.

We here at the Local Fe26 congratulate Palace for their season and hope to see both players back on the pitch for the Ironmen when the new season opens up.

Charleston Advances To USOC Final

The Charleston Battery earned a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final after advancing past the Seattle Sounders last night on penalties.

The matchup between the Battery and Sounders proved to be an action-packed one as both teams pressed hard to break the 1-1 deadlock. The Sounders hit the crossbar and had one ball cleared off the line in extra time. The Battery effectively counter-attacked and forced crucial saves from the Sounders keeper during the latter stages of the game.

Battery keeper Dusty Hudock made two key stops during penalties to help the Battery win the shootout 4-3.

The Battery will travel to RFK Stadium to take on DC United in the final on September 3rd. The game will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel. We here at the Local Fe26 will be rooting hard for Lazo Alavanja and the Battery.

Ironmen In US Open Cup (Semifinal Preview)

The Charleston Battery will take on the Seattle Sounders tonight in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals. The match is slated to get underway at 7:30 PM at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery will be without Lazo Alavanja who drew a red card in the quarterfinals after throwing a bottle cap towards the referee.

The New England Revolution and DC United will also meet tonight at 7:30 PM in the other Semifinals match.

Both games can be seen online. Check the USOC website for more information.

Alavanja Returns; Charleston Sputters (Irons In USL Update)

Lazo Alavanja - Image From Charleston Battery Website

Lazo Alavanja made his return this week for the Charleston Battery after missing four games with an ankle sprain. Alavanja started in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Thunder and registered two shots before being subbed out at the halftime break. The loss dropped the Battery out of first place.

The Battery went into their second match of the week looking to take three points back against the Portland Timbers. Alavanja once again got the start and found his scoring touch with an equalizing goal in the 69th minute. However, the Battery could not find the go-ahead goal and had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw.

The Battery now sit two points behind the co-leading Vancouver Whitecaps and Puerto Rico Islanders. John Krause and the Islanders overtook the Battery with a dominating 4-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos at home on Friday night.

Local Fe26 To Participate in Charity Tournament

Red Bull New York will host an adult soccer tournament tomorrow to benefit the American Cancer Society. Games are set to begin at 8:30 AM at Giants Stadium.

One of our regulars here at the Local Fe26 will be participating in the tournament as part of the team fielded by the Empire Supporters Club.

Check here for more details on the tournament.

Alavanja Injury Update

Lazo Alavanja - Image From Charleston Battery Website

We finally have word on Lazo Alavanja's injury.

As we reported last week, Alavanja sustained an unspecified injury in a July 19th match and hasn't been in the lineup since for the Charleston Battery.

Andrew Miller of the Charleston Post and Courier has reported that Alavanja has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Alavanja was considered a game-time decision for Sunday's match against the Whitecaps, but ultimately did not play.

Hopefully Lazo is able to return soon and keep his productive form. We here at the Local Fe26 will keep you updated as soon as anything develops.

Ironmen At Top Of Table (Irons In USL Update)

The Puerto Rico Islanders' hot streak came to an end Friday night when they fell to the Seattle Sounders 2-1 at rain soaked Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. The loss was their first in six games.

Despite stumbling against the Sounders, the Islanders pushed on and earned three big points when they shutout Dan Antoniuk and the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 Sunday night. The win allowed Los Islenos to remain just one point out of first.

John Krause played the full 90 minutes in each game this weekend for the Islanders.

Lazo Alavanja's Charleston Battery also split their two games this weekend. The Battery fell Friday to the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1, but rebounded with a huge win at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The win kept the Battery tied with the Whitecaps for top spot in the USL.

Elsewhere, Mauricio Salles' fifth goal of the season was not enough for his Rochester Rhinos as they fell to the Silverbacks 4-3 on Sunday.