City Islanders Add Aleksey Korol for Stretch Drive
July 12, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA âThe Harrisburg City Islanders have added a high-profile offensive weapon for the PSL playoff race, announcing on Monday the signing of midfielder/forward Aleksey Korol. Korol's contract is still pending United Soccer Leagues approval, but he is expected to be available this Saturday, July 17, when the Islanders travel to Long Island to face the Rough Riders in a crucial Atlantic Division battle.
Korol was released at the end of June by the A-League's Charleston Battery, for whom he had played 887 minutes over 12 games (10 starts) with no points this season. Following a superlative collegiate career at perennial powerhouse Indiana University, Korol's professional career began in 2000 when the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer made him the fifth overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. He met with immediate success, setting Burn rookie records for goals (five) and points (13) in 21 games (11 starts). In 2001, Korol appeared in 15 games for Dallas, starting three, and recorded five points on two goals and an assist. He also played one game for the A-League's Atlanta Silverbacks.
In January of 2002, Korol was dealt to MLS' Chicago Fire, for whom he played one game before being waived. He completed his 2002 campaign with stints with the A-League's Rochester Raging Rhinos (two games) and Indiana Blast (one game). In 2003, Korol scored four goals and 12 points in 23 games for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, then in the A-League. He also played nine games for the MISL's Kansas City Comets during the 2003-04 season, registering one assist.
Korol's time at Indiana was highlighted by back-to-back NCAA Division I championships (1998 and 1999). He was an All-Big Ten selection from 1997-99, serving as a critical part of a college dynasty that also included current MLS stars Nick Garcia, Chris Klein, and Dema Kovalenko. Following his senior season (1999), Korol was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, a First Team NSCAA All-American, and Soccer America's College Player of the Year. He also finished fourth in the voting for the Hermann Trophy, collegiate soccer's equivalent of the Heisman. After notching 57 goals and 32 assists during his Indiana career, Korol was named to Soccer America's "Team of the 1990's."
The Harrisburg City Islanders are playing their inaugural season in the Pro Soccer League (PSL), a division of the United Soccer Leagues (USL).
The club's 20-game regular season (10 home, 10 away) opened on April 17 and will conclude on Saturday, August 14, at home against the Charlotte Eagles. For more information on the City Islanders, call 717-441-GOAL, or visit www.cityislanders.com. For more on the PSL or USL, visit www.uslsoccer.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 12, 2004
- City Islanders Weekly - Penn FC
- City Islanders to Run in Fun Mile This Wednesday - Penn FC
- City Islanders Add Aleksey Korol for Stretch Drive - Penn FC
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