Islanders First Open Cup Match Announced
May 28, 2009 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
US Soccer has just announced that the Harrisburg City Islanders host the Reading Rage in the First Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The two teams will kick off on Tuesday, June 9th at 7:05 on City Island.
The Islanders' opponent, the Reading Rage, have been a part of the USL Premier Development League (PDL) for the last 14 years. They consistently attract young, local talent from the Reading area. Currently in first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the PDL with a record of 3-0-1, the Rage are defending 2008 PDL Eastern Conference Champions.
All teams in the United Soccer Federation are eligible to qualify for the 6-round, single elimination US Open Cup. This includes teams from Major League Soccer, USL First and Second Division, USL Premier Development League, and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The Open Cup is a great opportunity for teams from different leagues to play against new competition. The Open Cup is always exciting to watch: anything can happen.
In one of the biggest victories in club history, the 2007 City Islanders squad upset Major League Soccer's DC United 1-0 in the Third Round of the US Open Cup. Last year, the Islanders lost in the Second Round to Crystal Palace Baltimore in penalty kicks. The Islanders are anxious to return to the Cup and take on the Reading Rage.
Kick off against the Rage is at 7:05 and Islanders season ticket holders should use their "Event 1" tickets for admission to the game on Tuesday, June 9th. The Second Round of the Cup is will take place on June 16, and Islanders participation is dependent on victory in the June 9th game. For more information on the 2009 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and pairings visit US Open Cup.
Islanders Fall to Rochester in Friendly
The City Islanders fell to the USL First Division Rochester Rhinos (4-3-1, 13 points) in an inter-division friendly at Harrisburg's Skyline Sports Complex on Tuesday, May 26. The pitch was wet from a day of rain and temperatures were in the 50s making for a cool damp evening on City Island. Even with the loss, the Islanders remain 4-1-1 in the USL Second Division standings and are currently in first place in the USL Second Division with 13 points. Harrisburg dominated the play for most of the game and out shot their opponent 10 to 5 despite the loss. Rochester's goal came off a free kick in the 37th minute when Kwame Sarkodie finished on a set piece assisted by Andrew Gregor. Both sides made several substations in the second half. The fresh legs, however were not enough to put Harrisburg on the scoreboard for the evening.
Former Islander Ryan Heins started as left back for the Rhinos and wore the captain's armband before coming out for the second half. Rochester's Tai Atieno and Ze Roberto were both shown yellow cards in the last 10 minutes of the game. Although the Islanders had several good chances on the evening, the score remained 1-0 in Rochester's favor after 93 minutes of play.
On Sunday, May 31st, the Islander's will take on the Real Maryland Monarchs at Maryland's Lester Stadium. The Islanders' next league home match is Saturday, June 13th against the Bermuda Hodges kick-off is at 7:05 at Harrisburg's Skyline Sports Complex.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 28, 2009
- Palace Baltimore Look for Three Points in Local Derby - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Baltimore Blast Forward Brought in to Help Boost Team's Scoring - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Eagles Host Pittsburgh Friday Night - Charlotte Eagles
- Islanders First Open Cup Match Announced - Penn FC
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