Posted on September 28, 2012
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – The saying goes like this: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Well, one of the LA Galaxy’s enemies in the CONCACAF Champions League made sure the Major League Soccer club advanced to the competition’s quarterfinals on Thursday night.
The Puerto Rico Islanders, who made life miserable for LA in the CCL two years ago, sent Galaxy to the knockout round with a 3-0 Group 5 victory over Metapan (El Salvador).
LA is three points ahead of the Islanders, who completed the group stage, and four points more than Metapan, which will host the Galaxy on Oct. 23.
The Islanders, who have lost only two of 17 CCL matches at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel, recorded its second victory in 11 CCL matches, its first win in four games. The last one occurred some 14 months ago against this same Metapan side.
The defeat snapped Metapan’s three-game unbeatean streak in all competitions as the Salvadoran team registered its 11th loss in 12 CCL away games.
Hector Ramos scored in the 40th and 80th minutes, and Gregory Richardson added a third goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Metapan, which needed at least a tie to keep its knockout round hopes alive, had a Nicolas Munoz goal disallowed in the 73rd minute for an offside call. The Islanders also needed key saves by reserve goalkeeper Cody Laurendi.
Besides, Laurendi, playing his third game this season, the Islanders played without several regulars including top goal-scorer Nick Addlery, Jonathan Fana – on duty with the Dominican Republic for the Caribbean Cup, Noah Delgado and Osei Telesford.
The Islanders already eliminated from CCL quarterfinal contention, but begin the North American Soccer League quarterfinals against the Minnesota Stars on Sunday.
After Ramos had a goal disallowed for offside in the 39th minute, a minute later he finished when a Metapan giveway inside its defensive third landed on his foot. Ramos dribbled into the penalty area before finishing with ahis right foot.
Ramos added an insurance goal in the 80th minute when he found himself alone just inside the penalty area, and stretched to send a low, left-footed shot home.
Categories: Caribbean, Central America, Champions League, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, U.S.A.
Tags: CONCACAF Champions League, Gregory Richardson, Hector Ramos, LA Galaxy, Metapan, Puerto Rico Islanders
Loading ...
