Puerto Rico Advances To Groups With Upset Win

John Krause and the Puerto Rico Islanders advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League after upsetting former Champions Cup winner LD Alajuelense 2-1 in the second leg of the preliminary round last night.

The Islanders opened the match looking a bit shaky on the rain soaked pitch at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. Alajuelense struck just five minutes into the match when Eithel Rodriguez found net off a low shot from just outside the box. The goal brought the aggregate score to 2-1 in Alajuelense's favor.

But the Islanders regrouped shortly thereafter and completely dominated play the rest of the way. Their big breakthrough came with time running short in the 87th minute when the Alajuelense keeper came way off his line in an attempt to secure the ball in the corner of the 18-yard box. Kendall Jagdeosingh wrenched the ball away from him and lofted it into the open net to bring the aggregate to 2-2.

Taiwo Atieno put the Islanders ahead on aggregate just two minutes later after bringing down a failed Alajuelense clearance and beating the keeper to his right to send the Islanders through to the group stage.

John Krause had another solid game for the Islanders. Krause's aerial play was key in shutting down the Alajuelense attack after the first goal.

The Islanders will compete in Group D with Santos Laguna (Mexico), Municipal (Guatemala) and Tauro (Panama).