USL Penn FC

Islanders Host FC Montreal and Philadelphia Union at Clipper Magazine Stadium

Published on July 15, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release


Harrisburg, PA (July 15, 2015) - The Harrisburg City Islanders are excited to announce a match against FC Montreal and a friendly against exclusive MLS affiliate, the Philadelphia Union, on August 29 and August 31 set to be played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Clipper Magazine Stadium is the official home of the Lancaster Barnstorms conveniently located 40 miles outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The stadium holds up to 7,500 seats including club seating, luxury boxes, picnic seating, and lawn access.

This will be the Islanders second trip to Clipper Magazine Stadium, the first being in 2009 when the team hosted Crystal Palace F.C. of the Football League Championship in front of 5,099 fans.

"We are very excited to bring our annual friendly with the Union to Lancaster and the Barnstormer's Stadium," said Harrisburg City Islanders Owner Eric Pettis. "This is a wonderful opportunity to expose the high quality soccer that the USL performs at these days with our MLS Affiliate and the City Lancaster. We had such a great experience with the Barnstormers hosting our international friendly with Crystal Palace a few years back that we felt compelled to share more professional soccer with a very strong soccer community in Lancaster. This is going to be a great event."

As you are aware, the Islanders have recently taken the next step in stadium development by submitting a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Grant for the amount of $5 million dollars. The organization hopes that once approved, the grant will initiate the development and construction of a multi-purpose stadium that will replace the current facilities at Skyline Sports Complex.

Once approved, construction would begin March 2016 and the Islanders would be forced to play at another facility until complete. Due to this foreseen conflict the Islanders are in search of a temporary alternative venue for our home matches next season. Due to Clipper Magazine's superb facilities, proximity and convenient location these matches will serve as a trial run for a possible temporary home for your Harrisburg City Islanders.

"This annual match with our USL affiliate is really a great opportunity for both clubs involved and is one we really appreciate each year," Union CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz said. "It's an opportunity for young stars in a growing league to showcase their skills against some of the best players this country has to offer, and they get to do so in front of our technical staff who truly values this developmental system. We're looking forward to another great match with Harrisburg and know we'll be seeing some of these players at the next level real soon."

Making a return home to Lancaster will be the Philadelphia Union's Andrew Wenger, a former Warwick High School standout and National High School Player of the Year. The 24-year-old Wenger is second on the Union in minutes played this season in his first full year with the Philadelphia club. The 2011 Hermann Trophy winner as the nation's top collegiate soccer player scored six goals and recorded four assists for the Union last season. In addition to, Jimmy McLaughlin of Great Valley and former City Islanders star Sheanon Williams.

Along with the local players on the Union, the Harrisburg City Islanders roster features several area natives as well. Garret Pettis, a forward from Lower Dauphin High School, Danny DiPrima of Dillsburg, and former Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Brett Jankouskas of Palmyra.

As season ticket holders your privileges at Skyline Sports Complex will be upheld at Clipper Magazine Stadium for these matches. That includes priority seating and beverage privileges for August 29 vs. FC Montreal and priority seating for August 31 vs. Philadelphia Union.

An exclusive presale for Harrisburg City Islanders and Lancaster Barnstormers Season Ticket Holders with the option to purchase additional tickets before releasing to the general public will begin Thursday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. and end Sunday, July 19 at 5:00 p.m.

General Admission tickets for both games will go on sale, Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 AM and will be available through the Two Dudes Box Office at Clipper Magazine Stadium, through www.lancasterbarnstormers.com and by calling 717-509-HITS.

All seats for these special events will be general admission. The cost will be $15 for the exhibition against the Union and $12 for the Saturday night game against Montreal. A combo ticket that includes a ticket to both matches is also available for purchase at the discounted price of $22. Group bookings for specialty areas, including the picnic tents and the upper level suites can be purchased by calling the Barnstormers sales office at 717-509-HITS.

Both games will start at 7:00 PM. Gates will open at 5:30 PM.

We hope that you, our valued fan, understand our situation and will continue to support us as we attempt to provide you with the best product and experience possible.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these upcoming matches please send them to media@cityislanders.com. We greatly value your suggestions and opinions!

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 15, 2015


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.

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