Puerto Rico Islanders News Release - www.islandersfc.org

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

BAYAMON, PR -- The Puerto Rico Islanders are among fifteen Caribbean soccer clubs set to battle for the Caribbean berth of the 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup this coming December. The Islanders will host Group C of the first qualifying round from December 8th to the 14th at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, PR.

The Islanders, who advanced to the USL First Division playoffs for the first time in their third season in 2006, will face Fruta Conquerors of Guyana, W. Connection of Trinidad & Tobago, and Hoppers FC of Antigua in group play.  It is the first time ever that Puerto Rico will host CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.

Groups A and B will take place in Jamaica, while US Virgin Islands will host Group D. The first round group winners will advance to the semifinals, to be completed before 31 December, at a venue of one of the semifinalist clubs.

The Caribbean Tournament Champion will be joined at the 2007 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup by the 2006 Mexican League Torneo de Apertura (TBD) and Clausura (Pachuca CF) winners; two USA squads (DC United & TBD); and three Central American teams (CD Olímpia of Honduras, Puntarenas FC of Costa Rica, and TBD).

The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the longest running international club competition in the region and has crowned the champion club of the Confederation since its inception in 1962.
 
The Puerto Rico Islanders look to represent the United Soccer Leagues (USL) well in this tournament and already many of the players have been called back up to join training sessions in preparation for these important upcoming matches.

The team will hold a press conference later this month regarding the details of its participation in the tournament.

2007 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS’ CUP

Caribbean Qualification - First Round

Group A – Kingston, JAMAICA
30 November – 7 December
Harbour View FC (JAM)
Aigle Noir (HAI)
Positive Vibes (VIR)
SV Centro Social Deportivo Barber (ANT)

Group B – Kingston, JAMAICA
8-14 December
Waterhouse FC (JAM)
Baltimore Sportif (HAI)
UNDEBA (ANT)

Group C – Bayamon, PUERTO RICO
8-14 December
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR)
W Connection (TRI)
Hoppers FC (ATG)
Fruta Conquerors (GUY)

Group D – St. Thomas, US VIRGIN ISLANDS
8-14 December
New Vibes (VIR)
Sap FC (ATG)
SV Britannia (ARU)
CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh (TRI)