Harrisburg Welcomes Barbosa
February 27, 2008 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg City Islanders add scoring potential to their 2008 roster with the signing of Almir Barbosa. Following their 2007 championship season the Islanders continue to seek high caliber players that can make a difference on the field. Barbosa comes to the City Islanders from the New Hampshire Phantoms where he spent the last three seasons. Almir will join the team when they kick-off training camp on March 17th at In The Net in Palmyra, PA.
"I'm very pleased to bring a player of proven goal scoring capability into the squad for 2008," said Islanders head coach Bill Becher."Our recent teams have relied heavily on goal scoring coming from attacking midfield players, so it was a focus of our off-season plans to secure a true striker that would provide us with a consistent threat in front of goal. I feel that we've done that with the addition of Almir."
With the winter signing of Almir Barbosa, the City Islanders have added one of the United Soccer League's most dangerous target men. The 5-11, 175-pound forward registered 16 goals and 32 points over the last two seasons with the New Hampshire Phantoms who have moved to the Premier Development League for 2008. In 2006 Almir was named to the USL Division 2 All-League First Team when he tied for second in the league in scoring with 10 goals.
Barbosa, a native of the Cape Verde Islands, spent his childhood in Portugal and at 15 moved to the United States. He was a National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association All-American in 2000 and received All-Conference honors in 2003 following his senior year at the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg. His professional soccer career took him to Kristianstad FF in Sweden before joining the New Hampshire team.
Professional Team Open Tryout March 1 and March 2
Will the next City Islander Pro emerge from this weekends open tryouts?
Coaches Bill Becher, Steven Widdowson, and Mike Corney are expecting over fifty contenders at In The Net Sports Complex (Palmyra) on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The coaching staff will invite those players who scored well on Saturday back on Sunday to join those Islanders currently under contract. Those players include Nate Baker, Dustin Bixler, Anthony Calvano, Adam Clay, Mo Oduor, Brian Ombiji, and David Schofield.
"We look forward to finding that next impact player for the City Islanders," says Head Coach Bill Becher, "Historically you can look back on each of our four seasons and where the team has benefited from the addition of a player who attended the open tryout. Stepping onto the Championship match in 2008 were three starters MVP Dustin Bixler, forwards Steve Fisher and Brian Ombiji who found their beginnings as players at the open tryout. Identifying players of this quality is a large part of our team success. You never know who will show up at the tryouts and we look forward to finding a few more players for this year."
What are you doing this weekend? The tryouts are open to the public! Come out and see if you can spot the next Islanders Pro! Those hopeful players who score well at the try out will be invited to pre-season camp which begins March 17, 2008.
2008 Pre-Season Schedule
Friday March 21 v Crystal Palace Baltimore
@ In The Net 12:00pm
Tuesday March 25 v Bucknell University
@ Hempfield HS 7:00pm
Saturday April 5 v Lehigh University
@ Hempfield HS 3:00pm
Sunday April 6 v Hartwick University
@ Hempfield HS 3:00pm
TOYOTA CLASSIC
Saturday April 12 v Penn State University
@ Hempfield HS 7:30pm
Friday April 18 v Rochester Raging Rhinos (USL-1)
@ Athens Area High School 7:15pm
Pre-season scrimmages held at In the Net and Hempfield HS are open to the public and free admission. The Northern Tier Athletic Foundation will host the match against Rochester at Athens Area High School. Tickets available at the stadium for $5.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 27, 2008
- Harrisburg Welcomes Barbosa - Penn FC
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