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In March, the ultimate Cinderella isn't playing basketball

Tuesday, 17 March 09, 12:13 PM · Comments (0)

Puerto Rico Islanders v Cruz Azul - CONCACAF CL SF1 Preview

Bayamón isn't Montreal, so the Islanders aren't generating the press that the Impact did, but their story is an amazing one nonetheless. In the month of March Madness the ultimate Cinderella steps onto the ballroom floor once again at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium.

The Islanders have turned their converted baseball stadium, now the Mecca of Puerto Rican football, into a fortress. In this edition of the competion the Islanders have only lost at La Islandera, conceding a late goal to Guatemalans Municipal, and have claimed the scalps of giants Alajuelense and Santos Laguna.

It's hard to explain how the Islanders have made it this far, but it's easy to see how deserving they are. Colin Clarke's charges have contested every ball in the Champions League and have never taken their eyes off the task at hand. Many have theorized that their British long ball style has left Latin defenses confused, and it has played a role, but they've also outworked opponents in every department.

Meanwhile opponents Cruz Azul have not made an impressive start to their Clausura campaign. After 10 matches the eight-time Mexican champions sit 12th in the overall classification. In the Champions League the cementaros have been solid in defense, and that may bode well for them against the Islanders.

It will be interesting to see how the match plays out. Having already claimed one win at home against Mexican opposition, Puerto Rico will be looking to do the same as they expect to sell their stadium beyond it's 12,500-seat capacity for what is surely the biggest match in the club's young history. Cruz Azul will look to find some form as the search for their first title since 1997.

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