Harrisburg City Isle Defeated in World Class Exhibition Match
Published on July 16, 2009 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Lancaster, PA, July 16, 2009) In the first ever soccer match at Lancaster's Clipper Stadium, the Harrisburg City Islanders were defeated 3-1 by the English Premier League's Crystal Palace London. A crowd of 5,099 gathered to watch the exciting world class exhibition match.
Crystal Palace London is currently in the States on a preseason tour. On Tuesday, July 14th, Crystal Palace London defeated their sister squad, Crystal Palace Baltimore, 5-1, in another exciting exhibition. Tonight's match is Crystal Palace London's second and final match before heading back across the pond to continue their preseason training.
This evening's was the Islanders' first experience against a European squad. For the match, the infield of the baseball field was filled with sod to create a soccer field in a stadium that is most famous for being home to the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball squad.
In the opening minutes of the first half, Islanders' veterans, Steve Fisher and Mo Odour failed to capitalize on opportunities in the box as both teams looked to settle into a rhythm. In the 7th minute Islander defender Cody Reinberg came off the field with a gash below his eye that required stitches. He was replaced by fellow defender Anthony Calvano.
Crystal Palace's first goal came in the 34th minute when 20-yearold Freddie Sears maneuvered past his defender to rip a shot that slid past Islanders' keeper Tomer Chencinski and into the back of the net.
Crystal Palace stuck again three minutes later off a free kick by midfielder Darren Ambrose from 20 yards out. Despite some good combination play, the Islanders' allowed a third goal in stoppage time when midfielder Neil Danns put away a cross from defender Danny Butterfield. With that last minute goal the Islanders headed into the locker room down 3-0 at halftime.
Both squads made several substitutions at halftime-the Islanders subbed half of their starting lineup to allow almost all players to experience the world class scrimmage. Those fresh legs paid off for the Islanders when three second half substitutions teamed up for a goal. In the 69th minute, Jason Pelletier laid the ball off to Chad Severs who slipped it to Brandon Swartzendruber. Swartzendruber took a shot and put the ball in the back of the net to make the score 3-1.
Both squads continued to look for opportunities and in the 81st minute a Crystal Palace shot went off the cross bar and was then cleared for and Islander's counterattack. Again in the 81st minute a shot by Chad Severs was deflected and hit off the post before rolling out of bounds.
Harrisburg returns to league action and at City Island on Saturday, July 18th against Keystone State Rival the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Gates on the Island will open at 3pm for the first ever Beach Bash sponsored by Walters Services!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 16, 2009
- Harrisburg City Isle Defeated in World Class Exhibition Match - Penn FC
- Eagles Host Real Maryland Saturday Night; Lady Eagles Conclude Season Against Atlanta - Charlotte Eagles
- Four Palace Baltimore Players Named to Team of the Week - Crystal Palace Baltimore
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