City Islanders and Riverhounds Announce Pennsylvania State Rivals Kickoff Series
March 26, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA - The Harrisburg City Islander and Pittsburgh Riverhounds are pleased to announce that the USL clubs will be competing for the Keystone Derby Cup during the 2015 USL Season in a four game tournament series.
The Keystone Derby Cup will be awarded to the team compiling the best head-to-head record over four regular-season scheduled to begin and end the 2015 USL Season. In case of a tie, the winner of the Derby will be determined by goal differential between the two teams. The official Keystone Derby Cup will be on display in the sports bar at Highmark Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. on Sat., March 28 until Sun., July 26, when the cup will travel to Harrisburg for the final two matches of the series.
"Our 12th anniversary is of great importance for us this season. The theme for 2015 is centered around our fans, who will be the 12th man for us on and off the field" Said Islanders Club President, Tiago Lopes. "The alignment of our matches throughout the season and creation of the Keystone Derby Cup represents how exciting we want this season to be for them."
The clubs will kick off the 2015 USL Season against one another in the first Keystone Derby clash at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh on March 28. It will be new Riverhounds Head Coach Mark Steffens' first competitive match at the helm as he faces off against a City Islanders team that has historically dominated the Keystone Derby.
Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher added, "Season openers are always an exciting time within the league. We've put in a lot of hard work this preseason and are ready to test ourselves against an always competitive Pittsburgh team." More so, "Coming so close to the USL title last season, makes us that much more hungry for the championship this season."
Harrisburg has finished above Pittsburgh in six of the past seven years, including every USL season since the revised league commenced in 2011. Against one another, Harrisburg holds a 5-2 advantage over the past four seasons with three games ending tied. Last season Harrisburg went 1-2-0 in the Derby with the lone victory a dominating 3-1 W at Highmark Stadium, which you can relive below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuxDqEbG-cQ&feature=youtu.be&a
"The Harrisburg game is always one of the first that our fans look for on the schedule," said Riverhounds president Richard Nightingale. "These four Keystone clashes will be vital in determining the playoff hopes of both teams this year.
After the second Keystone Derby match, which takes place in Pittsburgh on Sat, May 30, Harrisburg will hosts its first Derby matchup of the season on Sun, July 26 and the final and potentially most crucial face-off between the teams, in their last regular season match on Sat., September 19.
"Having the two final and decisive clashes played in Harrisburg will surely be a can't miss event. We hope all of our fans follow this series closely and passionately from beginning to end!" Added, Lopes.
For tickets and group packages for the upcoming Islanders season please visit our website at cityislanders.com or call us at 717-441-GOAL (4625). For more information you can contact tickets@cityislanders.com.
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