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USL Penn FC

Game Day Preview

September 7, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa. - After finishing its final away stretch of the season on a two match winning streak, Penn FC (8-9-8, 32 points) makes its highly-anticipated return to FNB Field to host Atlanta United 2 (4-13-8, 20 pts) on Saturday night.

Rush Soccer's First Team made important strides towards its playoff aspirations with its 3-1 comeback victory at intrastate rival Bethlehem Steel FC this past weekend. Of course, two of Penn FC's three goal scorers from that match -- Lucky Mkosana and Aaron Dennis -- are away from the team on international duty along with Jorge Rivera who also was called up for national team duties.

Roster fluctuation has been a reality for the Blue and White as Head Coach Raoul Voss has adapted his lineup multiple times to account for all competitions and uneven weeks of play. For Voss, its next man up against Atlanta.

"Yeah so far, it's been our strength this year that whoever came on usually showed a very good performance," Voss said. "Guys stepped up in moments where other guys didn't really have a great showing, and guys, where you didn't really expect it in that moment really, showed up and that's what we need again. So now's the chance for some who deserve it to put their footprint there."

One player that figures to make an impact for Penn FC is the third goal scorer from the Bethlehem match, Paulo Junior. The in-form winger has scored multiple goals in recent weeks and his pace in the midfield and the right side of the field will cause issues for an Atlanta side that has conceded 53 goals this season and is missing a defender because of a red card suspension. Furthermore, taller defenders like Ken Tribbett and Kyle Venter who have both scored off headers will be utilized on set pieces.

The team wants to focus on playing sound defense first to open up opportunities in the attack -- an important emphasis with three missing forwards. While Voss was disappointed that the team conceded the opening goal at Bethlehem, he expects the team will replicate performances like its clean sheet at Ottawa two weekends ago.

"The basic principle was really, going into those last games, that we try to be better in the back again," Voss said. "We started the season good and we got a little bit away from that, and our main focus was to keep a clean sheet, it didn't work against Bethlehem, the first 20 minutes weren't good enough, quite frankly. But every guy got into it, got into our rhythm, so the main focus is keep the back clean, and then we have a lot of quality going forward."

"We just have to keep doing what we're doing defensively," Ken Tribbett said in regards to the team's renewed success on defense. "Communicating, being in the right spots, Romu making some big saves, some big clearances off the line from Kyle, especially in Ottawa. Just doing what we've been doing, all year we've been okay, we just had slip-ups here and there, so if we stay focused for 90 minutes, we'll be fine."

Penn FC and Atlanta United 2 square off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 at FNB Field. Penn FC is hosting Hometown Heroes night with UGI Utilities and PPL Electric during the match that will include a helicopter flyover during the National Anthem and a special presentation during halftime to recognize the area's military and emergency personnel.

Penn FC and Harrisburg University are kicking off The Homestretch with a FIFA Tournament and Fortnite free-play in FNB Field's club suite area from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m on Saturday afternoon.

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