Jamaican forward Nicholas Addlery struck an important late goal, but his Puerto Rico Islanders lost their first-leg United Soccer Leagues (USL) play-off match to the Rochester Rhinos on Thursday night.

Playing at home with Trinidadians Brent Sancho, Leslie Fitzpatrick and Errol McFarlane in their line-up, the Rhinos won 2-1 at the Marina Auto Stadium and go to Puerto Rico for the return-leg tomorrow with the advantage.

Addlery scored in the 72nd minute after Rochester led 2-0 and PR Islanders' goalkeeper, Bill Gaudette, believes the Jamaican's strike keeps their play-off hopes alive.

"That goal is a crucial goal, it's going to take care of us going to Puerto Rico," Gaudette said.

"We have some work but that puts some hope in our head," he added.

The Rhinos played most of the game with a one-man advantage.

Puerto Rico's Cristian Arrieta, the reigning USL Defender of the Year, was given a red card only seven minutes into the game for an apparent elbow against John Ball.

Kenney Bertz (64th minute) and Ball (71st) sent the Rhinos clear and on course for a handsome win but Addlery pulled a goal back 18 minutes from the end. Addlery cut the deficit just a minute after Ball's goal when he blasted in a shot from a tight angle from 10 yards.

The effort beat the Rhinos goalkeeper high on his near post for Addlery's ninth goal of the season. He was the team's second-leading scorer in the regular season - behind Arrieta (10) - with eight goals.

Reigning champions, Vancouver and Montreal Impact, also picked up first-leg quarter-final wins on Thursday night.

Vancouver beat visiting Carolina RailHawks 1-0 at Swangard Stadium when St Vincent and the Grenadines international assisted on a 77th-minute goal by Randy Edwini-Bonsu.

James flicked on a headed pass to Edwini-Bonsu, who sped past a defender and scored from 15 yards. The RailHawks surprisingly rested Guyanese ace striker, Gregory Richardson, for the game.

At Saputo Stadium in Montreal, the Impact - with Antiguan Peter Byers - beat Charleston Battery 2-0 with goals from David Testo (10th) and Rocco Placentino (88th).

The return matches are all set for tomorrow.