City Islanders Sign Jamaican International
Published on April 17, 2006 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA, April 17, 2006) - The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Monday that the club has agreed to terms with forward Teofore Bennett, a gifted Jamaican international who scored against the US National Team just last week. The club has also agreed to terms with midfielder David McClellan (Messiah College) and Jim Stevens (Lehigh University), both rookies.
All three signings are pending US Soccer approval.
The dynamic Bennett, a regular starter and point producer for the Jamaican National Team, will make his first appearance in Central Pennsylvania tonight playing against the City Islanders. His Jamaican club, Village United FC, will face Harrisburg in an exhibition match at Hersheypark Stadium (7:00 p.m.).
"We're obviously thrilled to add a player of Teofore's caliber," said City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher. "Such signings not only make us a better team, but also raise the profile of our club domestically and internationally."
In a friendly on April 11, Bennett scored for the Reggae Boyz against the United States just four minutes into the match. His skill set was on full display as he blew through the midfield past veteran U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk, controlled a through ball from midfielder Jermaine Hue, and calmly applied the finish by rolling a shot past Tony Meola for a 1-0 lead.
Bennett has been one of the premier attackers in Jamaica for several years, having enjoyed success with both Village United and Portmore United in the Wray & Nephew Jamaican Premier League. He spent the 2005 season with the Virginia Beach Mariners of the USL First Division.
Last year, the City Islanders acquired defender Shane Crawford from Village United, and the gifted Jamaican National Teamer earned First Team All-League honors. Crawford will begin the summer of 2006 with the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division.
McClellan was named the 2005 Division III Player of the Year after scoring 46 points (20 goals, six assists) and leading Messiah to a 24-0 record and a national title. It was the third national championship for Messiah during McClellan's tenure (2002 and 2004 were the others). The graduate of nearby Middleburg High School earned First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-American honors following both his junior and senior years. He was also named the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year in 2004.
A 6'7" striker, Stevens potentially presents a number of match-up problems for opposing defenses. He began to come into his own as a junior at Lehigh in 2004 with eight goals and 17 points, then capped off his Mountain Hawks career by tying for the league lead in goals (nine) and points (20) in 2005. He posted back-to-back two-goal games in October 2005, earning a spot on the College Soccer News Team of the Week, and also recorded a hat trick against Temple in September. He was a two-time All-League selection (Second Team, 2004; First Team, 2005) and was also a First Team All-Mid Atlantic Region pick in 2005.
Harrisburg's roster now includes 19 players: goalkeepers Sam Bishop and Dave Kern; defenders Dustin Bixler, J.T. Dorsey, Chris Morman, and Tommy Rutter; midfielders McClellan, Adam Clay, Steve Fisher John Lapore, Mo Oduor, Ryan O'Neill, Derek Potteiger, and David Schofield; and forwards Bennett, Stevens, Jamel Mitchell, Bernie Showers, and Matt Tanzini.
Following tonight's contest, the City Islanders have preseason games remaining against Towson University (Thurs., Apr. 20, 7:00 p.m., Hersheypark Stadium) and Penn State (Fri., Apr. 21, Central Mountain H.S. in Mill Hall, PA, 7:00 p.m.). Harrisburg's 2006 season opener will be Saturday, April 29, against the Cincinnati Kings, with a 7:05 p.m. kickoff at Skyline Sports Complex.
For the second consecutive season, the club will face off against D.C. United of Major League Soccer in a premier exhibition match, as "Clash of the Capitals II" will take place on Tuesday, May 9, at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA. The match will kick off at 7:05 p.m. Tickets will be $10 in advance and $15 on Match Day. Tickets may be purchased by calling 717-441-GOAL, or by visiting www.cityislanders.com.
The City Islanders will also hold a press conference on Thursday, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. to introduce the 2006 roster and unveil their uniforms for the season. The event, which is not open to the public, will take place at the Capital BlueCross Headquarters Building in Harrisburg.
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.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 17, 2006
- City Islanders cruise past Village United - Penn FC
- City Islanders Sign Jamaican International - Penn FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
