USL News Release
Monday, October 19, 2009
BAYAMON, PR – In the final game of official competition in 2009 for USL First Division clubs, the Puerto Rico Islanders play host to the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer Tuesday evening at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in the final match of the CONCACAF Champions League group phase.
Already eliminated from contention, the Islanders are in position to play the role of spoiler on the evening. The defending MLS Cup champions currently sit second behind clinched group-winner Cruz Azul with seven points, two ahead of Costa Rican power Saprissa. Columbus needs to earn at least a draw on the road to ensure itself of a spot in the Quarterfinals via the tiebreakers should the Costa Ricans prevail at home, having beaten and tied Saprissa in their two head-to-head meetings.
Puerto Rico, two weeks removed from their semifinal exit from the USL First Division playoffs, will be looking to make up for a 2-0 loss on the road in the first game of the tournament’s group phase. Steven Lenhart and Robbie Rogers each tallied in the second half for the win.
Columbus, on the other hand, may also have one eye on league competition heading into their final weekend of the season. The Crew sit on the verge of clinching the Supporter’s Shield (regular season championship) in MLS despite just one win in their last three (1-2-0), needing a combination of three points earned by themselves or dropped by Chivas USA, who has two games remaining.
The Crew’s only other win in the Champions League group was a narrow 1-0 win at Saprissa, but has since lost at home to Cruz Azul and tied Saprissa at Crew Stadium 1-1.
In their first game in group play, Saprissa fell 2-0 on the road to Cruz Azul. The Mexican side has moved into a tie for first in their group in the current Apertura campaign, posting three wins in their last five, including a 3-1 win over the weekend at home. Saprissa currently sits third in their league group, ending a five-game winless run (0-2-3), in which they scored just one goal in one of their three draws, with a 2-1 win at home.
