City Islanders Weekly
April 24, 2006 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
The City Islanders completed a perfect preseason (8-0) with two wins last week, defeating Towson University 2-0 on Thursday, April 20, and downing Penn State University by the same score on Friday, April 21.
Steve Fisher (23rd minute) and Jim Stevens (31') scored for Harrisburg on Thursday, punctuating an eventful day that began with a morning press conference at the Capital BlueCross Headquarters Building in Harrisburg. The City Islanders introduced the bulk of their roster and unveiled their 2006 uniforms at the event.
On Friday, at Central Mountain High School in Mill Hall, PA, a penalty kick from Teofore Bennett and a late Jamel Mitchell strike carried Harrisburg to victory. The City Islanders outscored their preseason opposition 24-1 overall.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Tues., Apr. 25 Practice, "In The Net," 9:00 - 11:00 am
Wed., Apr. 26 Practice, "In The Net," 8:00 - 10:00 pm
Thurs., Apr. 27 Practice, "In The Net," 9:00 - 11:00 am
Fri., Apr. 28 Practice, "In The Net," 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Sat., Apr. 29 Kickaround, Skyline Sports Complex, 10:00 - 11:00 am City Islanders vs. Cincinnati Kings, Skyline Sports Complex, 7:05 p.m.
After a month of training and preseason contests, the City Islanders officially kick off their 2006 regular season this Saturday, April 29, against the Cincinnati Kings. Game time at Skyline Sports Complex will be 7:05 p.m.
Harrisburg went 2-0-2 against the expansion Kings in 2005, recording a pair of home wins (2-1 on June 4 and 1-0 on August 6) and two road draws (0-0 on April 16, 2-2 on June 24). Cincinnati began its season last weekend with a 1-0 loss in Charlotte on Friday and a 1-0 road victory over the USL Second Division's newest club, the Richmond Kickers (formerly of the First Division), on Saturday.
The City Islanders head West on Friday, May 5, to face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (7:05 pm) before "Clash of the Capitals II," a premier exhibition match against D.C. United of Major League Soccer, takes place on Tuesday, May 9, at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA (7:05 pm). Tickets ($10 in advance, $15 on Match Day) may be purchased by calling 717-441-GOAL or by visiting www.cityislanders.com.
The team's next game at Skyline will be Saturday, May 20, against the Western Mass Pioneers (7:05 p.m.).
LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP:
The City Islanders' first five regular season matches will also serve as qualifiers for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recognized as U.S. Soccer's National Championship. The reigning Open Cup champs are the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
Six of the nine USL Second Division teams will participate in the tournament. The Charlotte Eagles receive an automatic berth as the defending league champion. In addition, the top five teams, based on point percentage (points earned divided by maximum possible points) from games played through May 28, qualify for the tournament. Charlotte and the top three qualifiers enter in the second round (beginning June 28) while the bottom two qualifiers enter in the first round (beginning June 14).
HEAT HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY ON TAP:
The City Islanders' theme for 2006, embodied in the tagline "The Tradition Continues," involves paying tribute to the professional soccer franchises that have previously called Central Pennsylvania home: the Hershey Impact, Hershey Wildcats, and Harrisburg Heat. The City Islanders will pay homage to the Heat, the city's Major Indoor Soccer League franchise from 1991-2003, at halftime of Saturday's game with a special Heat Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Heat Hall of Fame featured players that epitomized the organization on and off the field. When the club folded, the Hall included Angelo Panzetta (defender, 1991-94), Todd Smith (defender, '91-96), Bob Lilley (defender, '91-97), Mark Pulisic (forward, '91-98), and Richard Chinapoo (defender, '92-'00).
This Saturday, the Hall of Fame will be complete with the inductions of five Heat greats: current City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher (midfielder, '91-99), David Bascome (midfielder, '91-'03), Gino DiFlorio (forward, '98-'03), Doug Petras (goalkeeper, '94-'03), and Jim Pollihan, the club's Head Coach from 1991-98.
The Heat Hall of Fame banner will be updated to include Saturday's inductees and donated, by Dr. Rex Herbert, along with other sports memorabilia to the National Sports Hall of Fame to be built on City Island.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 24, 2006
- Adidas to help re-kick off Rough Riders season opener - Long Island Rough Riders
- City Islanders Weekly - 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.
