Telesford nets in Islanders 3-1 win over Miami Blue
Trinidad Guardian
BAYAMON—T&T defender Osei Telesford, formerly of US Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire got the opening goal as the Puerto Rico Islanders whipped Miami Blue 3-1 on Sunday in their second rain-drenched encounter of the weekend.
The Puerto Rico Islanders came to the field full of energy and sporting a new bright green uniform, ready to avenge the 2-0 loss suffered on Friday, and so they did.
From as early as the first minute the match heated up as Miami took the first free-kick, and Puerto Rico’s forward Taiwo Atieno followed suit in minute four with a powerful shot that came dangerously close to the goal.
Both squads continued their spirited exchange until a foul inside the box on Puerto Rico’s Noel Fabrice set up the first goal of the game. Victor Herrera had no problem blasting the penalty kick past keeper Josh Saunders for the score. But Miami came back in minute 24, as Alex Afonso also made good on a penalty kick that Bill Gaudette was unable to stop, evening the score 1-1.
As rain continued drenching the field, Puerto Rico kept moving forward and the Blues’ defense fended well the attack. Noah Delgado came close to doing away with the tied score with two separate powerful shots to goal in minutes 27 and 42. Saunders, however, was ready to meet the challenge and the first half closed at 1-1.
The tiebreaker the local squad was eagerly seeking finally came in minute 76. A scramble inside Miami’s box set up the perfect opportunity for Osei Telesford to put the ball into the back of the net.
The one goal advantage seemed to ignite the Islanders and stir tempers on the Miami side. Two yellow cards, followed by a red card expulsion for Cristiano Dias seemed to doom the visitors.
In minute 89 Puerto Rico closed the deal for good. An assist from Noah Delgado found Taiwo Atieno ready to blast in the third and final goal of the game.
The Islanders will stay home the rest of the week as they get ready to host the Montreal Impact on Friday, May 2.
