Preseason - Round 1

 

The Puerto Rico Islanders will play their first preseason game of 2009 against the Chicago Fire on Saturday February 9th in Bradenton, Florida. The Islanders coaching staff arrived yesterday in Tampa with a team of 22 players, 7 of which will be on trial and will be evaluated by coach Colin Clarke.

 

Three Argentine players, fruit of the talent searching trip to the South American continent last November, were also invited to the trials. There are well advanced negotiations between the prestigious Argentinian soccer organization 'Club Atlético Renato Cesarini' and the Islanders to establish an exclusive colaboration agreement for the island of Puerto Rico. This agreement will be very beneficial to the efforts of the Islanders to continue to develop local talent by player exchanges with the Renato Cesarini Academy in Rosario, Argentina.

The Chicago Fire are facing the Islanders after a 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Wizards on Tuesday. The Fire had a 2-0 lead at halftime, but could not hold the Wizard offense in the 2nd half, watching the 2 goal lead evaporate, and eventually lose the scimmage match.

 

After the Fire, the Islanders will continue their preseason sack on the MLS on Monday Feb 9th against the New York Red Bulls, on Feb 13th with the 2008 Champs Columbus Crew, and finally against DC United on Feb 21.

 

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Reference:

http://islanders.theoffside.com/preseason/preseason-round-1.html