News

Puerto Rico Islanders vs. L.A. Galaxy

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 – 8:00 PM EDT

Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium

Bayamón, Puerto Rico

TV: FOX Soccer

Defending MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy head to Bayamón, Puerto Rico to take on the NASL's Puerto Rico Islanders in the Group Stage of the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League. The Islanders will be hoping to earn their first point in this year's competition, following heavy defeats in their opening matches in El Salvador and Los Angeles.

In the Islanders last match, the team was defeated in convincing fashion by a youthful Galaxy side at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The visitors got off to the worst possible start when rookie Tommy Meyer put LA ahead inside of seven minutes. The score remained 1-0 going into halftime.

For the second time in the match, the Islanders gave up a goal shortly after the restart. 18-year-old Jose Villarreal doubled the Galaxy's advantage with his first goal in the competition just seconds after kickoff.

Two late goals in quick succession from Jack McBean and Michael Stephens put LA further ahead, though by that time the result was never in question.

It was sweet revenge for the Galaxy who were knocked out of the Champions League two years earlier by the Islanders at the Home Depot Center. That match finished 4-1.

Although the Galaxy did end up winning the reverse fixture in Puerto Rico, the scoreline wasn't enough to overturn the deficit, and the Islanders advanced to the tournament's group stage.

The Islanders must win or tie to remain alive in the quest to reach the knock-out stages of the competition. The Islanders reached the semifinals in the 2008-09 season but were eliminated at the group stage in 2009-10, 2010-11 and at qualifying stage in the 2011-12 tournament.

About LA Galaxy

Head Coach: Bruce Arena

MLS Record: 14W-4T-11L

Last Season: Finished 1st place in Western Conference with 67 points (19W-10T-5L); MLS Supporters' Shield, Western Conference Champion, MLS Cup Champion

Key Players: David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Juninho, Robbie Keane, Omar Gonzalez