News: 2012-2013 Off-season

What a disappointing ending. Enough said.

First, the front office needs to decide who will coach the team next year. I hope they retain Whitbread. He had a good (not great) first season (while learning how to be a head coach). he also helped the team reach out to the community. Then, the coach and front office must decide which returning players to keep and which to let go. We have a number of players on the roster who can no longer be counted on to play a large number of minutes. Based on that analysis, the team should decide the players needed to fill in gaps and play as back ups. Of course, next year's budget will be important. So, I don't think we will see many decisions made until January. But, based on the second half of this season, I think we will see a number of changes in next year's roster.

 

Yeah Guillermad is very disapointed with a lot of player and with good reason. Some of our veterans are starting to show their age!

 

Here is my question for those who live in San Juan, Bayamon and the surrounding areas. What do the Islanders need to do to increase attendance?

I live in Texas. Fans in Texas support a winner, regardless of the sport. So, if you win, get in position for the playoffs, or pick up a trophy or two, you will generate a good following. Even FC Dallas attracts a few thousand each game and their stadium is the most inconveniently located stadium in the U.S. The Islanders have put a winning team on the field for a number of years. They have won three trophies in the past three years and have brought quality competition from Central and North America to Bayamon. Yet, this year (and really last year as well) the crowds were painfully small. Even the LA Galaxy game was poorly attended. I was expecting at leaset 10,000 for that game. I think the official number was 3,000.

So, what is keeping the fans away? And, more importantly how do the Islanders fix it?

 

that is also my question

2004
3,889

2005
5,003

2006
5,378

2007
4,725

2008
4,423

2009
3,293

2010
2,358

2011
2,161

 

Jonathan Faña scored 3 goals yesterday in the Dominican Liga Mayor

FC Bauger - Bayaguana 5-1

Jonathan Faña en marcar el 3x1 en el minuto 27 y redondear su actuación con dos goles más antes del final, logrando un hat trick, es decir, tres goles en un partido.

 

Would have been nice to have had a few of those in Bayamon this year.

Now that the NASL playoffs are over, we should start to hear of player moves and re-signings. Of course, all of that will have to wait until after the election (for the Governor of Puerto Rico).

 

Is Fana not with PRI anymore?

 

I guess his contract ended when the Islanders played their last game, but I have no doubt that they will re-sign him

 

It is my understanding that the players contracts end after the team's last game (whenever that is). Of course, there are options in many of the players' contracts that allow PRI to extend contracts for another year. Not sure when the period to exercise those options closes, but I bet we will read of re-signings before Christmas.

 

Last games of the Dominican Liga Mayor will be played on march 17, 2013

Two NASL players are active: Jonathan Faña with Bauger and Cesar Danko with his native Jarabacoa

 

Last season, the NASL did not start until April. Fana can play in DR until the close of the season. Test his value with MLS and then return to the NASL before the season starts. Hopefully, all work and no play won't make Fana a dull player come next summer.

 

Last off season the Islanders were the last team to announce their lineup very near the start of the season, so I wouldnt expect much to be announced again this off season until end of February.

 

Any thoughts from the Island on the soccer implications of becoming a state? Can the PR FA remain independent of the USSF? Will the Islanders be forced to find their way to the CCL through the Open Cup, once (if?) it all becomes official?

 

I mentioned this in the related thread in the USA Men forum, but I personally think that if PR becomes a state, FIFA would likely allow it to keep its federation - kinda similar to Hong Kong vs China.

As for the PRI team itself, statehood wouldn't change the fact that PRI is a Caribbean team competing in a US-based league, so I think it'd be pretty hypocritical for CONCACAF to not allow PRI continued participation (and CCL qualification through) the Caribbean championship.

 

I think the idea of PR statehood could generate a lot of discussion on how to integrate the PR Football Association into the USSF. But, I don't think statehood is going to happen anytime soon.

It is true that a majority that voted on the issue favored statehood. Unfortunately, over 500,000 voters chose to not make a selection on that issue. In other words, they cast votes regarding other conadidates and issues, but left the vote on statehood blank. So, the mandate may not be as strong as the votes show. The newly elected governor is against statehood and has stated he will oppose it. Lastly, it literally takes an act of Congress to become a state. Even if the process was started today, it would take quite a while to negotiate the undoing of the commonwlth and introduction of statehood.

While I think it is fun to think about it, statehood and the soccer implications won't be real for a long time, if ever.

 

Cesar Garcia scores 4 goals and Jonathan scores 1 in the Dominican Liga Mayor

JARABACOA - SPORTING 4-0

La fanaticada de Jarabacoa, a casa llena en el Oratorio, disfrutó con la goleada de su equipo frente a un bisoño Sporting, que sigue adoleciendo de mordiente. El gran protagonista del choque y de toda la jornada liguera fué el estelar de la selección nacional dominicana, César García, Danko, que anotó los 4 tantos y desarrolló un completísimo partido. Danko marcó dos en la primera mitad, minutos 9 y 13 y dos más en el segundo período, minutos 50 y 72, para redondear la victoria.

 

Well, it has been nearly a month since anyone posted a message. So, I thought I make sure this thing works.

Any word on the island about off season moves or plans for the next season?

I look at the NASL big soocer forum shows about the same lack of activity for most of the other teams. So regarding the competition, any thoughts on the Cosmos waiting until July to enter the league?

 

Islanders lost Canadian Fullback Edson Edward who was signed by FC Edmonton this week.

 

Jonathan Faña and Cesar Danko will face the Haiti MNT later on today

 

Sorry to see Edson go. He struggled at times this season. But when he was healthy and on, he was a major influence running the channel on his side of the field.

 

Islanders Cesar Danko and Jonathan Faña score for the Dom Rep

Contundente República Dominicana 2 Antigua y Barbuda 1

 

both goalscorers (and thank you Puerto Rico for preparing them well !)