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Having exchanged last place in the table with the Rochester Rhinos over the past few weeks, the Puerto Rico Islanders used a pair of victories over the Minnesota Thunder and a Rhino loss in Charleston to move four points clear of the cellar on the weekend behind the efforts, in part, of former Rhino Jonathan Steele.

In a stalemate of an opening meeting Friday, a penalty from defender Cristian Arrieta proved the difference as Steele helped lead the Islanders to their third win in 10 games. Two nights later Steele took a more prominent role in the attack.

The scoring opened when Arrieta found a wide open Steele, who made a brilliant assist, allowing Josh Hansen to put the ball past Nicolas Platter for goal number one 28 minutes in. Another 28 minutes later, he began the play that led to doubling the lead. Steele found an open Noah Delgado, who in turn assisted Sandy Gbandi for the goal, giving the locals the 2-0 advantage in minute 56.

Steele scored his first goal of the year 25 minutes later on an assist from Andres Cabrero nine minutes from time to put the match out of reach with Minnesota adding a consolation strike with four minutes left to leave it 3-1. It was Steele’s third goal in five years in USL-1.

With second place Cleveland playing to a second consecutive scoreless draw, Crystal Palace Baltimore used the opportunity to move within one point of what would be a first round playoff bye with a 2-1 victory at Real Maryland Sunday courtesy of reserve striker Sergio Flores.

With a US Open Cup contest against the New York Red Bulls two nights further down the schedule, Palace took an opportunity against the Monarchs, who were in the lower half of the table, to rest a number of regular starters, including star strikers Gary Brooks and Matthew Mbuta. Sergio Flores relished the opportunity and proved himself on the night with a goal and assist.

After receiving the ball from Flores in the 34th minute, Cecil Lewis beat two Real Maryland defenders and found himself with Flores in the box with just the 'keeper to beat.  Lewis opted to do it himself, calmly slotting the ball home past the charging Zelaya.

With the game level in the 55th minute, it was another nice build-up from Palace as Kevin King crossed from the right corner.  Flores was all set to head the ball in from eight yards out but Zelaya leapt high to pluck the ball off the Palace striker's head.

Palace's inevitable second goal and game-winner came just sixty seconds later.  King suddenly popped up on the left side, out-muscled his marker on his run into the box, forcing his way around the defender.  As King bore down on goal, Zelaya committed himself, leaving Flores wide open 10 yards out.  King fed the ball perfectly to the feet of Flores and, despite the best efforts of a Real defender scrambling back to the cover the goal, Flores buried his finish to restore Palace's lead as they held on for the win.

USL First Division Team of the Week
 
 Pos
 Name
 Team
 Highlights
 
 G
 Chris McClellan
 Carolina
 Five saves in 1-0 win over Portland
 
 D
 Michael Rodriguez
 Seattle
 Led team in 1-1 draw against Montreal
 
 D
 Cristian Arrieta
 Puerto Rico
 Goal in 1-0 win over Minnesota
 
 D
 Stefano Pesoli
 Montreal
 Goal in 1-1 draw at Seattle
 
 D
 Kupono Low
 Carolina
 Led team in 1-0 win over Portland
 
*
 M
 Jonathan Steele
 Puerto Rico
 Goal, assist in 3-1 win over Minnesota
 
 M
 Martin Nunez
 Carolina
 Goal in 1-0 win over Portland
 
 M
 Chris Brown
 Portland
 Goal in 2-0 win at Atlanta
 
 M
 Sandi Gbandi
 Puerto Rico
 Goal in 3-1 win over Minnesota
 
 F
 Randi Patterson
 Charleston
 Goal in 3-1 win over Rochester
 
 F
 Andre Schmid
 Seattle
 Goal in 1-1 draw against Montreal
 
USL Second Division Team of the Week
 
 Pos
 Name
 Team
 Highlights
 
 G
 John O'Hara
 Wilmington
 Nine saves in 1-1 draw at Harrisburg
 
 D
 Steve Shak
 Charlotte
 Led team in 0-0 draw at Western Mass
 
 D
 Trevor McEachron
 Richmond
 Led team to road win and draw
 
 D
 Mark Schulte
 Cleveland
 Led team in 0-0 draw against Richmond
 
 D
 Dustin Bixler
 Harrisburg
 Led team in 1-1 draw against Wilmington
 
 M
 Keishan Bean
 Bermuda
 Goal in 1-1 draw against Charlotte
 
 M
 Adrian Bumbut
 Richmond
 Two assists in 3-1 win at Pittsburgh
 
 M
 Trey Alexander
 Wilmington
 Goal in 1-1 draw at Harrisburg
 
 M
 Ricky Schramm
 Richmond
 Goal in 3-1 win at Pittsburgh
 
*
 F
 Sergio Flores
 CP Baltimore
 Goal, assist in 2-1 win at Real Maryland
 
 F
 Brady Bryant
 Charlotte
 Goal in 1-1 draw at Bermuda
 
Press release courtesy of www.USLsoccer.com