Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel
nickname = "La Meca", "JRL", "La Islandera"


location = Route 2, intersection with Route 5, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
built = 1973
opened = 1974
renovated = 2003
closed =
demolished =
owner = Municipality of Bayamon
operator =
surface = Grass(Natural)
construction_cost =
architect =
tenants = Cangrejeros de Santurce (late 80s)
Vaqueros de Bayamon(?-2002-03)
Puerto Rico Islanders(2004-present)
Sevilla FC Bayamon(2008-"present")
seating_capacity =
12,500
dimensions =
105×68 m

The Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium "(Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel)" is a 12,500 seat stadium at Route 2 and Route 5, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The stadium has easy access with one metro station (known as "Deportivo Station") on premises. Many fans living in the San Juan Metropolitan Area use this mode of transportation when attending the games. Metro fee is US$1.50 each way.

"Early Life"

Built in 1974 and originally used for baseball, it was home to the "Vaqueros de Bayamón" up until 2003 when the team ceased to exist.

"Football Life"

In 2003 with the Vaqueros folding the stadium seemed doom to be relegated to a youth stadium or demolition, but late that same year the stadium was reborn and was to be home for another professional club. However, this time it would be as an association football stadium. It had been chosen by the Puerto Rico Islanders as their new home. Its "L" shaped stands were not suited for the sport and it originally had an awkward feel to it since the stand behind the goal angles away from the pitch. This has led most of the fans to prefer to sit in the part of the stands that run parallel to the pitch.

Its also home to the Sevilla Bayamon FC, a professional football team in the Puerto Rico Soccer League.

It has also played host to the CFU Club Championship Group C in 2006, where the Islanders played but lost to Trinidad and Tobago, W Connection 0-1 and the Puerto Rico MLS-USL Challenge in 2007, and two 2010 World Cup qualifying matches against the Dominican Republic and Honduras.

"La Meca of Puerto Rican Futbol"

Over the 4 years that it has hosted the sport it has created an atmosphere that is unique to the stadium and the Islanders.

It has played host to the resurgence of association football in Puerto Rico and has been given the nickname "La Meca" because it has been a key player in the sport's rise to popularity in the island.Fact|date=July 2008 It is also called "JRL" by fans as an abbreviation of its official name. Another name that has been used for the stadium is "La Islandera" since it's the home of the Islanders. [cite web| url=http://www.puertoricoislandersfc.com/news_full.php?id=304| title=Rumbo a Costa Rica--la Champions de CONCACAF| publisher=Puerto Rico Islanders| language=Spanish| date=2008-08-23| accessdate=2008-08-26]

References