City Islanders Return to Lancaster in 2016
February 1, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Lancaster, PA - Following tremendous success enjoyed by the City Islanders at Clipper Magazine stadium late last August, the club has announced five of its regular season United Soccer League (USL) matches will be played in the Lancaster Barnstormers stadium in 2016. The announcement was made today by the City Islanders alongside the Lancaster Barnstormers Baseball Club's ownership and staff.
"We are extremely excited to play five matches at Clipper Magazine Stadium in 2016 and work with the Barnstormer's staff once again. Last year's experience gave us the confidence to keep moving forward as a club and we owe them a lot of gratitude," said City Islanders owner Eric Pettis. "Holding two successful matches at Clipper Magazine Stadium in 2015 certainly proved that Lancaster is a great place for the USL to be playing."
In 2015, the City Islanders drew 11,000 fans during a two game home stand. A franchise regular season record was made with 4,741 fans in attendance for a 6-0 victory over Montreal Impact FC. Two days later, more than 6,500 were on hand for a friendly match against the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer (MLS).
"We are so excited to bring professional soccer to this great sports community in Lancaster once again," said Barnstormers owner Rob Liss. "Everyone had an incredible time last year, and our staff, along with the staff of the City Islanders, was able to bring the world's most popular sport to life in a place known for great baseball."
The City Islanders will entertain the Bethlehem Steel FC, the current affiliate of the Philadelphia Union, on May 22 and will follow that contest two days later with a home match against Toronto FC II. Clipper Magazine Stadium's surface will again be converted to a soccer pitch in July as the Richmond Kickers (DC United) will take on the City Islanders on the 8th with Toronto returning on the 10th, three days prior to the Barnstormers hosting the Atlantic League's 18th All-Star Game.
Day Date Opponent Time
Sunday May 22 Bethlehem Steel FC TBD
Tuesday May 24 Toronto FC TBD
Friday July 8 Richmond Kickers TBD
Sunday July 10 Toronto FC TBD
Saturday September 17 Wilmington TBD
Operationally, Clipper Magazine Stadium will be transformed a total of three times during the 2016 season. Sod will be laid every two matches with the help of the Lancaster Barnstormers grounds crew, in order to convert the baseball field into a regulation soccer pitch.
The home opener for the Islanders is slated for Saturday, April 22 at Harrisburg's Metro Bank Park, home of the Eastern League Harrisburg Senators, which will be the home pitch for the club's remaining 10 USL matches of the 2016 Season. Single game and season tickets for the 2016 Season will be available for purchase by Monday, February 15. Details to come.
Fans can learn more about the Islanders at www.cityislanders.com and can follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @city_islanders and Facebook or by calling 717-441-4625 (GOAL).
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