Sandy Gbandi and Jonathan Fana each scored for the Puerto Rico Islanders as they won the home leg of their two-game aggregate goal USSFD2 championship series 2-0 over the Carolina Railhawks on Sunday.
USSFD2 Championship: Puerto Rico Islanders Take 2-0 Lead Over Carolina Railhawks
The series will now return to Carolina for the second leg, needing to score at win by at least two goals to force a 30-minute overtime. If the series is still tied at that point, the championship would be decided by penalty kicks.
The first half was scoreless but the Islanders broke through with a 49th minute strike when Gbandi scored after a throw-in. The Railhawks nearly tied the score about a minute later, but Tom Heinemann’s shot hit the post.
The Islanders then extended their lead in the 87th minute, taking advantage of the Railhawks’ aggressiveness. Fana was able to get through the Carolina defense and then beat Eric Reed.
If the Islanders hold on for the victory, they would become the third straight Division 2 champion from outside the United States. The last American team to win the title was the 2007 Seattle Sounders.
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