River Plate Puerto Rico News Release -- www.rivercaribe.com
Saturday, April 23, 2011
CAROLINA, Puerto Rico -- Despite finishing the game with nine men, River Plate Puerto Rico was able to hold on for a 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Blues and its second point of the USL PRO season at the Estadio Roberto Clemente Walker on Saturday night.
Martin Morello and Yaniel Bermudez were both sent off for River, and Los Angeles also finished the game short-handed as Cesar Rivera was shown a red card.
Rivera had given the Blues the lead in the 12th minute after a long pass from the left by Mike Randolph created the opportunity. Both Rivera and Morello were then sent off in the 34th minute after a confrontation in the center of the field.
Trailing at halftime, River manager Walter Zermatten switched strategies, and the introduction of Eloy Matos proved decisive as he scored in his comeback from a long layoff due to injury to tie the game in the 58th minute.
River was reduced to nine men in the 73rd minute, though, as Bermudez received his second yellow card. But River was able to withstand Los Angeles’ late pressure, denying the Blues their fourth win in their season-opening four-game road trip. With the rigors of the trip, the Blues will likely be very pleased to return home with 10 of a possible 12 points.
Both River Plate and Los Angeles face Antigua Barracuda FC next, with River hosting the ’Cudas on Friday before the Blues welcome Antigua for their home opener next Sunday.