USL Penn FC

Islanders Look to Keep Pace with Louisville in 2016 Home Opener

April 20, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release


Harrisburg, PA - City Islanders FC will open up their 2016 home campaign this Friday, April 22 when they take on Louisville City FC at 7 p.m. at FNB Field on City Island.

After grabbing their first win of the season against Orlando City last week, the Islanders will finally have home field advantage following an elongated three-game road stint. It would have been four road games in a row, if not for a postponed match-up with Pittsburgh.

Louisville comes into the game as the top team in the Eastern Conference. They have won three of their first four games and are currently riding a two-game winning streak into this week's matchup.

It took three games into the season, but the Islanders were finally able to pick up a positive result. The game winner came when Cardel Benbow dribbled through Orlando's defense and ripped a shot near post to put the Islanders up for good. Early in the game Jose Barril almost broke open the score when he struck a hard shot to the upper corner, but Orlando's goalie was up to the task.

Barril is one of three Islanders who have scored this season along with Benbow and Craig Foster. All three will need to step up this week if they are to keep pace with a high-scoring Louisville offense.

Louisville has scored seven goals in their last two games. John Hoffman, Louisville's leading scorer, notched a hat trick in their last outing, a 3-2 win in Cincinnati. They also delivered a 4-0 drubbing to Orlando City during their two game winning streak as well.

Last season City was unable to defeat Louisville in their two matches. They lost by an aggregate score of 9-1, including a 5-1 loss on City Island. The two will meet again late in the season in Louisville on August 10 at Louisville Slugger Field.

City will have quick turn-around when they take on Orlando City for the second time this Monday, April 25. The game will kick-off at 7 p.m. at FNB Field. It will be the final meeting between the two teams this season.

All fans who come to the Islanders highly anticipated home opener will receive a free insulated water bottle koozie from Capital BlueCross. During the game there will be t-shirt launches, halftime activities and other contests that will make the game that much more exciting. As always, our loyal and deserving youth fans will have access to activities in our expanded "Tiki's Soccer Resort" until the end of the match.

The night will start off with a special ribbon cutting at the newly placed nets with City Islander's ownership group, Mayor Papenfuse, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste and George Hartwick doing the honors. Harrisburg Senators President, Kevin Kulp will be performing the "first kick". Finally, we will show off another aspect that will enhance the fan experience each and every game-the jumbotron. ABC Channel 27's Gregg Mace will present a video on the screen to recap 13 years of Islanders' soccer on City Island, Harrisburg.

Reserve your seat for the 2016 home opener series today!

For more information about the City Islanders Football Club visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL (4625). Follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @city_islanders and Facebook by liking Harrisburg City Islanders.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 20, 2016


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