0-1 min. 43 John Menyongar (Minnesota)
1-1 min. 62 Corey Woolfolk (Puerto Rico)
Bayamón, PR - The Puerto Rico Islanders and the Minnestoa Thunder fought to a 1-1 tie in front of 4,322 fans at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in their Thursday night's USL-1 match-up. Puerto Rico came back from 1-0 down at halftime, took control during the second half, and had various chances to even get the victory. Luck was not, however, on the Islanders' side and the score ended in the tie.
During the first half, both teams respected their rival to the point where attacking football gave way to tactical chess-like movement. Minnesota got closer to Puerto Rico's goal but causing little impact, until the 33rd minute when Chris Brunt barely missed the goal on a header off a corner kick. Dan Kennedy, the Islander goalie, made the easy save. Puerto Rico responded in the 37th minute when Raphel "Mime" Ortiz penetrated the left side of the Thunder defense and executed a wicked cross. Thunder defender Michael Wilson cleared the ball form the box before reaching the Islander attackers waiting for the cross.
In the 43rd minute the Thunder took the 1-0 lead. John Menyongar, who has had a great season so far, scored on an assist from teammate Kiki Lara. Menyongar had no problem in beating Kennedy low to the right for the lead. Halftime came and the Thunder went into the lockers ahead in the scoreboard.
The second half was another whole story, as the Islanders came alive primarily thanks to their Brazilian magical duo of Edivaldo "Juninho" Da Silva and Mauricio Salles. Minnesota had to hold on as Puerto Rico applied the heat.
Puerto Rico eventually broke down the Thunder defense to tie the match in the 62nd minute. A great individual play by "Juninho" started it all. He dribbled masterfully past various defenders and passed the ball to Alejandro González, who touched the ball back to an unmarked Corey Woolfolk. Corey headed the ball right in at point-blank range as Joe Warren the Thunder goalkeeper could not do much to prevent the goal.
The tying goal was a breath of fresh air for the Puerto Rico Islanders, who kept the attacking mode as the Thunder had to hold on as best as they could. Things got complicated for Minnesota in the 79th minute when Jay Alberts saw a direct red card after swinging his shoulder at "Juninho" and hitting him in his face.
Drew McAthy, "Mime", and "Saito" Nieves all had their shots on goal in the last ten minutes of the game, but none were able to break through and the Minnesota Thunder maintained the 1-1 score for the remainder of the match to come away with one point.
Puerto Rico is back in action this Monday, June 6th, when they face the Portland Timbers at the Loubriel with a slated kick-off time at 8 pm.
