Harrisburg City Islanders Open Season
Published on April 30, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
The City Islanders opened their season on Saturday night against the Cleveland City Stars, and didn't finish the game until Sunday afternoon. It was a much anticipated rematch of last year's thrilling double overtime win for the Islanders in the league semi-finals.
The Islanders had a great crowd on hand for the season opener. The opening ceremonies included last year's captain, Chris Morman, unveiling the Championship banner. Both teams were aggressive and most of the play was in the middle of the field. The Stars seemed to be getting a little better of the territorial battle with the help of a brisk wind behind them, but neither team could apply any pressure on the goalkeepers. The clouds started to roll in and the intensity of the game seemed to pick up. Cleveland's Adam Rudd had the first opportunity of the game as he broke in on the right side, but his shot was easily handled by Islander keeper Danny Cepero. A quick restart by Brian Ombiji sent Almir Barbosa in alone on Stars keeper Hunter Gilstrap, but he held his ground and made a nice save. Neither team could generate any more chances as the half was coming to an end. Heavy rains and lightning forced the game to be postponed in the 41st minute with the game tied 0-0.
On Sunday play resumed and both teams looked determined to get on the scoreboard. In the 59th minute, Cleveland's Neil Hlavaty sent a free kick into the Islanders box and Derek Potteiger beat everyone to the ball and headed it in to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. The Islanders seemed to settle in after the goal, and began to knock the ball around. They were able to get a good ball into the box to David Schofield, and when he turned his defender, he was taken down. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Nate Baker stepped up to take the shot. Baker's shot was saved by Gilstrap, and Ryan Heins finished the rebound, but the referee waved off the goal and made Baker take the shot again. Baker went to his right this time, and pushed it past Gilstrp to even the score at one. The play opened up a bit as both teams were desperate to get the three points. The Islanders had the best two chances in the closing minutes as Steve Fisher sent a volley just over the top, and Barbosa couldn't quite get on the end of Ombiji's centering pass. I thought we played pretty well considering it was our first game," said Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher. "We created a few chances at the end and could have won the game, but it was probably a fair result."
The City Islanders will travel to Cleveland and Pittsburgh this weekend. Islanders sign players from across North America
The City Islanders added some front line talent and some depth to their roster in the past week with the addition of four new players who come from a wide range of hometowns. Milton Blanco, Ryan Heins, and Nigel Marples all carry pro experience under their belts as they head to City Island, while the fourth, Brian Pope, has quite the pedigree for a rookie.
Milton Blanco is an aggressive midfield player who comes to City Island from California. Over the past three seasons Milton has played games with the MLS side Chivas USA as well as spending time with the PDL's Fresno Fuego.
Ryan Heins comes to Harrisburg fresh off an indoor stint with the Philadelphia Kixx of the MISL. The 6'1" defender, and New Jersey native, is highly versatile and has logged plenty of minutes playing up front during his time with the PDL's Ocean City Barons. The ability of Heins to play an outside back or a forward will give the Temple University product a clear opportunity to be a mainstay in the Islanders line-up all year long.
Patrolling the center of the Harrisburg back line this season will be defender Nigel Marples. Like Heins, Marples joined the Islanders after playing with the Philadelphia Kixx. Before appearing in twenty-seven games for the Kixx this past winter, Marples played his rookie season with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division. Although a native to Vancouver, Marples has relatively local ties as he was a four year starter at Towson University. Look for Marples, who is 6'1", to create a difficult puzzle for opposing teams to solve as he partners in central defense with current Islanders captain, and 6'3", center back Dustin Bixler.
Brian Pope, a native of New Hampshire, will look to contend for the starting spot in goal throughout the 2008 season. The 6-1, 175-pound keeper was the starter at East Carolina for his first two collegiate seasons, posting a 1.81 goals against average while starting 28 of 31 matches before transferring to Central Florida. Pope spent time with the reigning Major League Soccer champion Houston Dynamo during their 2008 preseason. His experience should add both quality and depth to the Islanders last line of defense.
The addition of Blanco, Heins, Marples, and Pope bring the Islanders roster to eighteen players, but Coach Becher and Widdowson haven't finalized their roster just yet.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 30, 2008
- Kickers Continue Road Stand Sunday In Baltimore - Richmond Kickers
- Harrisburg City Islanders Open Season - Penn FC
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