Brandt Returns Home with Opposition for Final Battle of 2016
August 24, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA - It's no secret that the rivalry between City Islanders FC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds is one of the most competitive rivalries in the USL. Last season, the series decided not only who took home the Keystone Derby Cup but also made playoffs and who was ultimately left out.
For this season, the Riverhounds added another level of intrigue to the already young rivalry when they hired Mid State soccer coaching legend Dave Brandt as their new head coach.
Brandt, a Mechanicsburg native, spent 12 years at Messiah College where he won six Division III National Championships. His teams went a combined 246-25-14 (.888) with division record 52 postseason victories.
Brandt joined the Riverhounds after seven seasons as the head coach of the United States Naval Academy. In 19 seasons of college coaching he has accumulated over 300 wins and was the fastest coach in NCAA men's soccer history to breach the 200 win mark.
At Messiah, Brandt's 2005 squad put up one of the best records in NCAA history when they went undefeated (24-0-0). His squad was only the fifth team since the 1974, when the league went to three divisions, to post an undefeated mark. The school's 24 wins were the most out of those five teams and the second-most in NCAA history.
The accolades with Brandt could go on and on. He has been a legend in the Midstate soccer community and the first home matchup between the Islanders and Riverhounds this Saturday will be his first return to his home area with an opposing team.
In an interview with the Riverhounds during the season Brandt already seemed to know the importance of the Keystone Derby before they even played a match.
"I know a little bit. I certainly know most of the City Islanders staff and what not. They're obviously right there, right in the backyard, so I have an inkling of what that means and how important it is for sure," said Brandt.
Although both Pittsburgh and City are not having the season they had hoped for at the beginning of the season, there is no doubt there is still a lot of importance on taking bragging rights out of this final matchup of the season.
Right now, City leads the series with a 1-0-1 mark and a one plus goal differential. That all could change and Pittsburgh could be raising the trophy for a second year in a row on Islanders home soil if they come out with a strong performance.
The Riverhounds are towards the bottom of the league, but if Brandt's history has shown anything it is that he is strong in big-time games. Rivalry games are always the toughest of the season and this one will be no different.
Come out and cheer on your City Islanders to their first Keystone Derby Cup victory on Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m. at FNB Field. It will be a day filled with exciting soccer action followed by post game fireworks sponsored by Dauphin County Commissioners.
#HARvPGH I FNB Field I Saturday, Aug. 27 7:00 p.m. SINGLE GAME TICKETS
* Final Match of the 2016 Keystone Derby Cup presented by K & L Gates and the PA Lottery: Keystone Derby Cup will be awarded immediately following the match
* PA Lottery Night: FREE Lottery coupon to the first 1,000 fans (18 years and older)
* College/High School Night: $5 admission with valid I.D. at the gate
* Pregame show featuring pregame insight, interviews & giveaways hosted by Fun
* PINK Night: PINK OUT & Pregame Bras Across the Bridge before the match to support the Feel Your Boobies Foundation!
* Gamut Theatre pregame improv performance
* Post Match FIREWORKS Sponsored by Dauphin County Commissioners
* Also, make sure the kids stay after for post-game autographs and pictures with the players
* Join the team after the match at Mr. G's Sports Bar!
For tickets and more information please call 717-441-GOAL (4625) or visit www.cityislanders.com. Be sure to follow us on all social media to stay up to date with all team details.
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