(Seattle, Wash.) - - The Seattle Sounders take on the A-League expansion Puerto Rico Islanders on August 22nd at Qwest Field in Seattle. The Islanders make their first trip to the Northwest on a two-game road trip through Portland and Seattle.
The Islanders feature talent from Latin American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, El Salvador and Puerto Rico. Twenty players on the Islander roster hail from Latin American countries. Having played professional soccer in their native countries at various levels, most Islanders are getting their first taste of American soccer this season.
The expansion club includes three players with Major League Soccer experience including the MLS’s second all-time leading scorer, forward Raul Diaz Arce. Drafted by the DC United in 1996, Diaz Arce played five seasons in MLS scoring 82 goals in 150 matches. He is also third on MLS’s all-time points list with 193 and won back to back MLS championships in 1996 and 1997 with DC United. Diaz Arce is also a veteran of the El Salvador National Team, most recently appearing in 2002 World Cup qualifying.
Other Islanders with MLS experience are goalkeeper Michael Ueltsche (Columbus Crew) and midfielder Johanes Maliza (San Jose Earthquakes).
Islander midfielder Mauricio Salles de Alencar has scored 11 goals this season and notched two assists for 24 points. He is sixth in the league in points and goals scored. Salles de Alencar has taken 79 shots this season, the most in the league. From Brazil, Salles de Alencar played in the Spanish First Division for Real Madrid.
The Islanders head coach is Hugo Maradona, brother of Argentine soccer sensation Diego Maradona. Hugo Maradona replaced orignal head coach of the Islanders after the expansion team started the season 0-10.
The Sounder roster also includes Latin American talent, Costa Rican midfielder Jonathan Bolaños has quickly moved his way into the top five in the league in assists. Bolaños finished a season with Deportivo Cartagines, a Costa Rican first division team, before joining the Sounders at the end of June. Puerto Rican defender, Marco Velez has provided a consistent physical presence on defense and has contributed on offense scoring five goals and has add three assists in his two seasons in Seattle.
Tickets are still available to the August 22nd match by calling (206) 622-3415 or order online at www.seattlesounders.net. For more information on the Sounders match with Puerto Rico or the Sounders Latin American players, please visit www.seattlesounders.net or call (206) 622-3415.
