Puerto Rico Surf SC 2–1 PR San Juan: Surf Come From Behind in Liga Puerto Rico Thriller

Puerto Rico Surf SC staged a spirited second-half comeback to defeat PR San Juan 2–1 on the morning of 11 May 2026 at the Cancha Sintética in San Juan. The victory kept Surf in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Liga Puerto Rico (LPR) standings, while San Juan dropped to sixth after a disappointing collapse.

Match Summary

PR San Juan started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute. Forward Jorge Rivera latched onto a through ball from midfielder Carlos Pérez and finished confidently past Surf goalkeeper Luis Ortiz. San Juan dominated the first 30 minutes, pressing high and forcing errors in Surf's buildup. However, they failed to double their advantage, with Rivera hitting the post from a tight angle just before the half-hour mark.

Surf grew into the game as the first half wore on. Winger Darío Silva caused problems down the right flank, and in the 38th minute, he squared a cross that striker Andrés Torres headed narrowly wide. The teams went into the break with San Juan holding a slender 1–0 lead.

Second Half Comeback

Puerto Rico Surf SC came out with renewed energy after the interval. Coach Marcos Díaz made a tactical switch, pushing full-back Héctor Ramos into a more advanced role. The change paid off in the 53rd minute when Ramos overlapped and delivered a low cross that was turned into his own net by San Juan defender José Maldonado under pressure from Torres. The equaliser sparked wild celebrations among the Surf supporters.

The momentum now firmly with the visitors, Surf pushed for a winner. In the 72nd minute, a free kick from 25 yards was floated into the box, and substitute midfielder Diego Figueroa rose highest to nod the ball past San Juan goalkeeper Juan Carlos. Figueroa's first goal of the season proved to be the match-winner.

Key Moments

• 15' – Rivera strike: San Juan's early goal came from a well-worked one-two, exposing Surf's offside trap.
• 53' – Own goal: Maldonado's deflection under pressure was unlucky but epitomised Surf's relentless pressure after the interval.
• 72' – Figueroa header: The substitute rose unchallenged from a set piece to secure all three points.
• 90+4' – Red card: San Juan's Pérez was sent off for a second yellow card, compounding a frustrating afternoon.

Table Implications

With this win, Puerto Rico Surf SC climbed to 22 points, moving level on points with fourth-placed Mayagüez and keeping their playoff hopes alive. PR San Juan, meanwhile, remained on 18 points and slid to 6th, three points adrift of the top four. The loss also ended San Juan's three-match unbeaten run away from home.

Stars of the Match

Diego Figueroa (Surf): The substitute's impact was immediate and decisive. His winning header was his first goal in the LPR this season.

Darío Silva (Surf): The winger was a constant threat, completing six dribbles and providing the cross that led to the equaliser.

Jorge Rivera (San Juan): Despite being on the losing side, Rivera was San Juan's most dangerous player, scoring and coming close to a second.

Conclusion

Puerto Rico Surf SC demonstrated resilience and tactical flexibility to overturn a deficit and claim a vital victory. For PR San Juan, defensive lapses and a lack of concentration in the second half proved costly as they failed to build on a promising start. The LPR season continues to tighten, and every point now matters as the playoff race heats up.