City Islanders Announce International Exhibition
April 5, 2006 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA, April 5, 2006) - Representatives of two very different islands will meet on Monday, April 17, when the Harrisburg City Islanders host Village United of the Wray & Nephew Jamaican Premier League in a preseason exhibition match at Hersheypark Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:00 p.m.
Admission will be a donation of $5 at the gate, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Harrisburg Parks Partnership and parking is FREE. Teams will be available for autographs following the game.
"It's a substantial benefit for us to play a match like this in the preseason," City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher said of Harrisburg's first-ever international tilt. "Village United is one of Jamaica's most talented sides, and playing them should be a great test as we get closer to our season opener. We anticipate having most of our rostered players active for this match."
The City Islanders are likely to sign at least one Village United player in the coming weeks (pending US Soccer clearance) and will use the match as an opportunity to scout additional talent.
Last year, the City Islanders acquired defender Shane Crawford from Village United, and the gifted Jamaican National Teamer earned First Team All-League honors. This week, Crawford signed with the USL First Division's Charleston Battery, who will entertain Village United on April 15.
Village United sits near the top of the table as the JPL season nears its end. The team's roster features a handful of Jamaican National Team members, several of whom may take the field for their country in an April 11 friendly versus the United States.
The City Islanders now have six games remaining on their preseason schedule, which kicked off last week. This weekend, the club will face Lehigh University (Saturday, 1:00 p.m.) and the Reading Rage of the Premier Development League (Sunday, 1:00 p.m.) at Hersheypark Stadium.
The City Islanders' 2006 season opener will be on Saturday, April 29, at Skyline Sports Complex against the Cincinnati Kings (7:05 p.m.).
Season, group, and single game tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices have remained the same for the third straight season and begin at just $5 for youth general admission. In addition, the club has added a Bring Your Own Chair ("BYOC") option for 2006. Tickets are available by calling 717-441-GOAL or online at www.cityislanders.com.
The Harrisburg City Islanders enjoyed a superb second season in 2005, posting a 12-3-5 record underscored by a 15-game unbeaten streak. The campaign included a second straight playoff appearance, two major postseason awards (Rookie of the Year-, Chad Severs; Coach of the Year, Bill Becher), and four All-League selections (Shane Crawford- and Sumed Ibrahim, First Team; Severs and David Schofield, Second Team). The City Islanders also received the Second Division's "Organization of the Year" award.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 5, 2006
- City Islanders Announce International Exhibition - Penn FC
- Cincinnati Kings Sign Four Players - Cincinnati Kings
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