After a Grueling Week, Islanders Finish with a Draw
July 13, 2007 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA, July 13, 2007) - The Harrisburg City Islanders (7-2-5) finished in a scoreless draw against Crystal Palace Baltimore (3-5-5) Saturday night at a beautiful Skyline Sports Complex. Coming off of a huge U.S. Open Cup win Wednesday night against D.C. United, the Islanders played possession soccer but struggled to finish any of the chances that they created.
Both teams got off to a slow start and it wasn't until the 20th minute that either side saw a promising opportunity. A poor clearance fell onto the foot of midfielder Mo Oduor who used a misdirection touch to turn his defender and get goal side. He played a perfectly lofted ball to the back post where an unmarked Adam Clay headed home what appeared to be the go ahead goal but to the dismay of the Harrisburg fans the goal was called back for offsides.
The hosts continued to control possession and saw several key opportunities pass by during the remainder of the first half. The most hopeful of these chances came in the 23rd minute when Harrisburg captain Chris Morman hammered a one-time shot on a ball laid back across the top of the eighteen from teammate Anthony Calvano. The shot stayed low and caused Crystal Palace goalie Brian Rowland to make difficult diving save.
As the second half began neither team came out with much enthusiasm. Play continually got more and more choppy and yellow cards quickly became the main storyline of the match.
The 68th minute presented Harrisburg with their best opportunity of the evening. A long through ball from midfielder Brian Devlin brought the crowd to their feet as Steve Fisher received the ball cleanly in mid-stride and went with speed at the last defender. A quick chop to his left put the ball through the defenders legs and saw Fisher in alone with the Crystal Palace goalie. Pressure from a chasing Baltimore defender caused the low slotted shot to trickle just wide of the target and the Islanders best chance of the night ended in disbelief.
One last gasp came from the hosts in the 88th minute when an energetic Fisher once again found his way onto the end of a chipped through ball. Settling it with his chest he took it out of the air with his left foot and volleyed it just wide of the Crystal Palace goal.
Harrisburg walked off the field with a draw and a respectable result after a grueling week of play, which saw them win three and tie one against four very formidable opponents.
Notes: The Islanders return to action this Wednesday, July 18, when they welcome the Cincinnati Kings to Skyline Sports Complex for a 7:05 p.m. kickoff.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 13, 2007
- NH Phantoms Tie Cleveland 1-1 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- City Stars settle for 1-1 draw on the road against New Hampshire - Cleveland City Stars
- NH Phantoms Tie Cleveland 1-1 - New Hampshire Phantoms
- Eagles Suffer 4-1 Loss to Richmond - Charlotte Eagles
- After a Grueling Week, Islanders Finish with a Draw - Penn FC
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