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USL United Soccer League Championship

City Islanders Take 100th Victory

April 29, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Harrisburg City Islanders claimed their 100th victory in franchise history as they took a 5-1 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night at Skyline Sports Complex. Lucky Mkosana scored twice in the second half as the City Islanders pulled away from the Rhinos, who had been reduced to 10 men just before halftime, in the final quarter of the game.

Both teams had chances in the early going, with Matt Luzunaris and Gabe Latigue both forcing saves from Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble. The Rhinos' defense was also tested, but was able to block shots by Yann Ekra and Tom Mellor as the City Islanders threatened nearly 15 minutes in.

Harrisburg almost took the lead a few minutes later, but Sainey Touray spooned his finish over the crossbar after a low, angled cross by Ekra. The City Islanders were able to take the lead on the half-hour mark, however, as Ekra released Jimmy McLaughlin into the right channel, and the young winger rounded Rochester goalkeeper Kristian Nicht before finishing from a tight angle.

Touray came close to doubling Harrisburg's lead moments later, hitting the left post after being played into the penalty area. Rochester was reduced to 10 men in the 43rd minute after Blake Brettschneider was sent off for a challenge on Touray, but the Rhinos still proved dangerous early in the second half as Bilal Duckett went close to tying the game in the 54th minute.

Duckett found the back of the net against his former team eight minutes later, however, as he headed home a cross by Mike Reidy for the equalizer. Four minutes later, though, the City Islanders regained the lead as Ekra tucked home a knock-down by Coady Andrews from a corner.

Mkosana added to the City Islanders' lead nine minutes later shortly after being brought on as a substitute, running onto a good through-ball by Don Anding before flicking a finish into the right corner of the net from the left side of the penalty area. Touray also found the back of the net with 10 minutes to go, running onto a pass by Colin Zizzi before shooting low into the net, and Mkosana's second capped the scoring in second-half stoppage time.

MONDAY

REAL SALT LAKE RESERVES 0, PHOENIX 0: Phoenix FC ended a two-game losing streak as resolute rearguard action earned a draw against Real Salt Lake Reserves at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Wolves played a man down for the entire second half, having two players sent off just before the halftime break, but were able to withstand RSL's pressure to earn a point.

Real Salt Lake created the first clear opportunity, with a well-worked short corner coming to Khari Stephenson, who shot into the side-netting from 16 yards. Stephenson also threatened from a free kick from 25 yards that Wolves goalkeeper Andrew Weber could only parry, his defense clearing the ball to safety.

Phoenix wasn't able to create as much, with RSL's midfield limiting time and space, but an errant cross by Jorge Ramos almost caught out Lalo Fernandez, going just over the crossbar and out of play. Travis Bowen also had a chance late in the first half, only to have his initial shot blocked before he sent the rebound wide.

The half ended on a sour note, with Phoenix FC's Andrew Weber and Renan Boufleur and RSL's Kwame Watson-Siriboe all being sent off after an off-the-ball incident following an RSL free kick just before the halftime whistle, leaving the Wolves a man short for the second half.

With a man advantage, RSL Reserves were able to control the majority of the second half, with Sebastian Velasquez putting in an impressive performance. Carlos Salcedo went close for RSL in the 66th minute, his shot going just over Phoenix back-up goalkeeper Sheldon Parkinson's crossbar from 22 yards, and David Viana shot just wide later in the game. Stephenson remained dangerous, and forced Parkinson into a good save with just more than 10 minutes to play. The Wolves were able to hold on, however, earning a point in the interleague encounter.

TUESDAY

CHARLOTTE 1, ORLANDO 1: Nate Thornton scored in the 90th minute as the Charlotte Eagles claimed a point against Orlando City at Queens Sports Complex. The goal was Thornton's second of the season as the Eagles remained undefeated.

Orlando had taken an early lead, Dom Dwyer putting his side ahead in the ninth minute as he headed home at the back post off a corner from the right. The Lions had other opportunities to extend their lead, but they were unable to capitalize.

The Eagles also came close to tying the game before the halftime break. Shaun Francis forced a save from Lions goalkeeper Sean Kelley in the 29th minute, while Christian Meza put his finish just wide eight minutes later as Orlando held its advantage to the halftime break.

Charlotte was able to find an equalizer in the final minute as a hopeful ball upfield reached the top of the penalty area. Both Kelley and an Orlando defender hesitated, allowing Thornton to steal between them and claim possession before he finished into the open net, earning the Eagles a dramatic draw.

FRIDAY

DAYTON 1, TAMPA BAY 0: Second-half substitute Brandon Swartzendruber scored the only goal of the game as the Dayton Dutch Lions took victory against VSI Tampa Bay FC at Plant City Stadium. The loss was Tampa Bay's first at home this season

Both teams started positively, with Dayton getting the first chance as a well-worked move came to Irakli Khutsidze just inside the penalty area, but his shot went just over the crossbar. Tampa Bay had its moments too, Douglas Dos Santos having a header saved by Dayton goalkeeper Matt Williams in the 15th minute, while the Dutch Lions' Gibson Bardsley hit a strong shot from 25 yards over the bar moments later.

Tampa Bay began to hold more possession as the first half wore on, Tony Donatelli having a shot from 25 yards saved by Williams, but the teams went to the halftime break scoreless. Tampa Bay came close to taking the lead just more than an hour in, only for Alex Freitas' cross from the right to be palmed away by Williams before it could reach an onrushing Andriy Budnyy.

VSI continued to press, and Antonio Neto was unable to take advantage of a good opportunity in the 65th minute, his first touch getting away from him and running into the hands of Williams after a good angled cross into the penalty area found his run from midfield.

Despite VSI's pressure, Dayton took the lead in the 68th minute as Swartzendruber controlled Eric Kissinger's cross in the left side of the penalty area and fired a shot home at the near post. Tampa Bay almost answered four minutes later, Bitielo Jean-Jacques hitting the outside of the post from a tight angle, and Freitas had another opportunity go high with a little more than 10 minutes remaining.

Freitas again went close in stoppage time, his curled show clipping the top of the crossbar before going out for a goal kick, but the Dutch Lions were able to hold on for their second win of the season.

CHARLOTTE 2, PITTSBURGH 0: The Charlotte Eagles remained undefeated to start the USL PRO season as Christian Meza had a goal and a assist to lead his side to victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Queens Soccer Complex. The win was the Eagles' second of the season, and kept the Riverhounds winless in four games.

The Eagles got off to a perfect start as Christian Ramirez opened the scoring in the third minute, Meza creating the opportunity for the rookie to score his second goal of the season. The Riverhounds were then reduced to 10 men in the 25th minute as Anthony Vazquez was shown a straight red card for a challenge from behind.

Charlotte was able to double its lead eight minutes into the second half, Meza stabbing home a loose ball inside the penalty area after Riverhounds goalkeeper Greg Blum had made a series of saves. Pittsburgh, down a man, was unable to find a response, allowing the Eagles to move into fifth place in the league standings.

LOS ANGELES 4, WILMINGTON 0: The Los Angeles Blues snapped a two-game losing streak with a victory against the Wilmington Hammerheads at Titan Stadium. With the win, the Blues improved their record at Titan Stadium to 3-0-0 this season.

Wilmington was handed a blow after only 18 seconds as midfielder Paul Nicholson was sent off after a challenge from behind on Los Angeles' captain Allan Russell. The Blues didn't take long to capitalize on their advantage, with Shay Spitz opening the scoring in the fifth minute off a cross by James Turner.

Los Angeles doubled its lead in the 17th minute on a fine strike by Mershad Momeni, who drove a finish from 25 yards into the top-left corner of the net. The Blues continued to hold the upper hand for much of the remainder of the half, taking their 2-0 advantage into the break.

The Blues came close to adding to their lead before the hour mark, Spitz leading a counter-attack that created an opportunity for Chris Cortez, only for the forward to shoot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. Wilmington goalkeeper Phil Tuttle also made a fine save to deny Spitz a second just before the hour-mark. Cortez found the back of the net in the 81st minute, however, as he flicked home a finish from Russell's near-post cross, and Juan Perez-Bernal added a fourth three minutes later to cap the scoring.

SATURDAY

ORLANDO 4, DAYTON 0: Dom Dwyer scored a pair of goals as Orlando City moved back to the top of the USL PRO standings with a victory against the Dayton Dutch Lions at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The win ended the Dutch Lions' two-game winning streak to start the season, with the Sporting Kansas City loanee also winning his side a penalty in the first half.

Orlando had the first opportunity, Dennis Chin's cross being sent over the crossbar in the fifth minute by Kevin Molino, but the game was balanced early as Dayton held as much possession. Orlando gradually was able to gain more control, however, and the Lions took the lead just before the halftime break as Chin was played into the penalty area by Jamie Watson before sliding his finish home.

Dwyer then scored his fourth goal of the season six minutes later as he latched onto a pass by Rob Valentino before tucking home his finish. Watson added a third from the penalty spot in the 39th minute after Dwyer was brought down in the penalty area.

Orlando continued to maintain its hold on the game in the second half, and the Lions added to their lead with 18 minutes remaining as Dwyer scored his league-leading fifth of the season. That capped the scoring as Orlando extended its regular-season undefeated streak at the Citrus Bowl to 21 games.

CHARLESTON 2, PITTSBURGH 0: Mike Azira scored both goals as the Charleston Battery took victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Blackbaud Stadium. Azira scored in either half of an entertaining contest as the Riverhounds remained winless to open the season.

Neither side was able to gain the upper hand until the 24th minute, when the Battery took the lead through Azira. The midfielder was able to head home after a scramble in front of net for his first goal of the season, and the Battery held their lead until the halftime break.

Pittsburgh came close to tying the game in the 52nd minute, only for a header to go off the Battery's crossbar. Charleston was able to double its lead with 30 minutes to play as Azira was found by Zach Prince's cut back as he advanced from midfield to make it 2-0.

Pittsburgh pushed forward to try and get back into the game, and was able to put pressure on Odisnal Cooper's goal, Rich Costanzo's cross finding Jhonny Arteaga for a header that went wide with less than five minutes to play. Cooper also made a fine save in the final minute, turning a redirected shot over the crossbar to preserve his shutout.

SUNDAY

PHOENIX 3, WILMINGTON 1: Phoenix FC earned its second victory of the season as it defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Netinho and Diego Faria each scored for the Wolves, while the Hammerheads finished the game with 10 men for the second consecutive outing.

The Wolves grabbed an early lead as a cross from the left by Scott Morrison was redirected into his own net by Hammerheads defender Uriah Bentick for an own goal. Phoenix threatened to double its lead in the 19th minute as Jose Ramos' cross almost connected with Travis Bowen, only to be just out of the forward's reach at the back post.

Wilmington threatened from set pieces, having a header go over the crossbar in the first half, but the Wolves continued to pressure as Netinho went close for Phoenix, forcing a save from Phil Tuttle on a shot from distance. Bowen also had an opportunity for the Wolves, only to send his shot from a low cross wide as Tuttle challenged, but Phoenix doubled its lead in the 34th minute as Netinho worked a good give-and-go with Aaron King that released the Brazilian into the right channel before he shot low into the left corner of the net.

Wilmington grabbed a goal back before the halftime break, Jamel Wallace heading home a free kick by William Heaney, and Bryce Taylor curled a shot over the crossbar just before the halftime break as the Hammerheads tried to get back on even terms.

The Hammerheads came out brightly to start the second half, but were unable to take advantage of any of their early set-piece opportunities in the opening 10 minutes. Wilmington was then reduced to 10 men just past the hour mark, Shawn Nicklaw's strong challenge on Ramos resulting in a red card, and Phoenix almost took advantage from the ensuing free kick as Cyprian Hedrick's header went just wide of the left post.

Phoenix came close to adding to its lead in the 73rd minute, Faria forcing a good save from Tuttle and Morrison hitting the crossbar from 25 yards off the rebound. Ten minutes later, however, Faria made no mistake as a loose ball came to him at the top of the penalty area, allowing him to drive home a finish into the right side of the goal, capping the scoring.

RESULTS

Monday, April 22

Real Salt Lake Reserves 0, Phoenix FC 0

Tuesday, April 23

Charlotte 1, Orlando 1

Friday, April 26

Charlotte 2, Pittsburgh 0

Dayton 1, Tampa Bay 0

Los Angeles 4, Wilmington 0

Saturday, April 27

Harrisburg 5, Rochester 1

Charleston 2, Pittsburgh 0

Orlando 4, Dayton 0

Sunday, April 28

Phoenix 3, Wilmington 1

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 30

Tampa Bay at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET

Wednesday, May 1

Charleston at Harrisburg, 7 p.m. ET

Friday, May 3

Charleston at Dayton, 7 p.m. ET

Richmond at Wilmington, 7:30 p.m. ET

Antigua at Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 4

Charlotte at Richmond, 7 p.m. ET

Harrisburg at Rochester, 7:05 p.m. ET

Antigua at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, May 5

Pittsburgh at Los Angeles, 7 p.m. ET

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