City Islanders Host 2016 Keystone Derby Cup Final
August 23, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA - Although it is a long shot, City Islanders FC are not totally out of the USL playoff picture and have a chance to make up some ground in the standings plus take the Keystone Derby Cup away from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds this Saturday, August 27 at FNB Field.
City currently holds a slight lead in the season series against their in-state rivals. The first match resulted in a 1-1 draw, while City was able to come away with a 2-1 win in the second match with goals from Dante Leverock and Jose Barril. This will also be the first and only game on City Island in this year's Keystone Derby Cup.
A win would not yet put City into the playoffs, but would go a long way to further their efforts to make a run for the final spot. Currently, Orlando City B holds a seven point lead over the Islanders for the last spot with 32 points. Directly above the Isles in the standings is Bethlehem FC, who will come into FNB Field just days after the Pittsburgh match.
Recent positive results and solid play have put City in the advantageous spot they currently find themselves. They have only dropped one game in their last six outings and have collected 11 of a possible 18 points in that stretch of play. City has also grabbed wins from both Pittsburgh and Bethlehem during that time.
The inventive and skillful play of Jose Barril upfront coupled with a defense that can be extremely stingy at times have led the way during this late run. Barril is on a two-game goal scoring streak and has averaged over two shots per game plus at least 75 minutes in the last five games.
Last year the two Pennsylvania teams met on the final game of the season with a playoff spot on the line. Pittsburgh came on to City Island and kept the Islanders out of the playoffs with a 2-1 victory and they will look to continue to be a thorn in the Isles postseason sides this year.
Pittsburgh will come into Harrisburg with a bit of a limp, however. They only have two wins in their last 11 games and most recently took a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the Rochester Rhinos. The Riverhounds will host the Wilmington Hammerheads just days before heading to the Mid State to defend their Keystone Derby Cup crown.
Friday's game will also be the annual Pink Night featuring Bras Across The Bridge for Feel Your Boobies. More than one-hundred cancer survivors, volunteers and more will stretch over 1,000 bras from the City Island, over the Walnut Street Bridge and into Downtown Harrisburg.
For tickets and more information please call 717-441-GOAL (4625) or visit www.cityislanders.com. Be sure to follow us on all social media to stay up to date with all team details.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 23, 2016
- City Islanders Host 2016 Keystone Derby Cup Final - Penn FC
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- San Antonio FC Midfielder Rafa Castillo Named to USL Team of The Week - San Antonio FC
- Rhinos Match Preview - Rochester Rhinos
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