Late Rally Not Enough, Islanders Fall to FC Montreal 2-3
June 21, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg, PA - City Islanders FC did everything they could to make an improbable comeback, but ultimate fell to Montreal FC 3-2 in front of 1,846 fans on Tuesday night at FNB Field.
The Islanders dug themselves a three goal hole early in the second half after giving up two quick goals just minutes apart. City kept the pressure on and Aaron Wheeler was able to head home two goals late in the game to bring the deficit down to just one.
A corner kick would be the final chance for the Islanders to make the incredible comeback. Shane McClaws stuck a hard ball into the box that met the head of Shane Johnson then met the far post and bounced out of harm's way. The final whistle sounded
City had the vast majority of the possession in the first half. They constantly pressed the Montreal defense further back into their own half. The usual suspects of Wheeler, Warshaw and Barril all had quality chances, but failed to find the back of the net.
The best Islanders shot came off of the head of Wheeler who was able to get up on a high cross to direct a hard shot on goal directly to the Montreal keeper who was in perfect position. City finished the opening period with eight shots.
Despite the barrage of chances for City, Montreal was able to break open the scoring on their first and only shot of the half. Kacher played the ball into his feet at midfield and passed through the Islanders defense with ease. He got off a hard shot that beat a sprawling Noble for to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.
City kept the pressure on with a few more chances that just went begging. The Isles finished the half with eight shots.
The second half started quick with Montreal picking up two goals in the 51st and 57th minutes from Zachary Sukunda and Anthony Hamel-Jackson respectively. Noble had no shot at stopping Sukunda's 2-0 tally, but did make the initial save on Hamel-Jackson's before seeing it ricochet into the net off of his own leg.
Wheeler and the Islanders turned up the pressure to push back the Montreal defense once again by lobbing high passes to allow their length and speed takeover the game. Both of Wheeler's late goals came from high arching balls that only he was able to reach. His first goal came off a header from an arching ball from James Thomas, who was standing at the midfield stripe.
Just minutes later Wheeler used his length again to get higher than anyone else and direct home his second goal of the game and fifth of the season. City kept placing balls in dangerous positions, but couldn't get the tying goal.
The game came down to the last kick of the game when City was awarded a corner kick with just second left to play. McClaws put the best cross of the night right on the forehead of Shane Johnson, who narrowly missed the mark and the shot went begging off of the far post.
City is currently on a five game winless streak. They will try to right the ship on Friday, June 24 when they take on the Charlotte Independence at FNB Field. Come early for the High Mark giveaway and stay late for post game fireworks.
For tickets and more information on City Islanders FC visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL (4625). Be sure to follow the team on all social media channels.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 21, 2016
- FC Montreal Wins 3-2 over Harrisburg - FC Montreal
- Louisville City FC Downs Toronto with Early Flurry - Louisville City FC
- Late Rally Not Enough, Islanders Fall to FC Montreal 2-3 - Penn FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Teams Head to U.S. Soccer Development Academy Postseason - Sacramento Republic FC
- RDA Excelling at National Cup Southeast Regionals - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Break from Home Stretch Not An Issue for Arizona United - Phoenix Rising FC
- Forward Long Tan Named to USL Team of the Week - Phoenix Rising FC
- Kerr Named to USL's Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- San Antonio FC Defender Stephen McCarthy Named to USL Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- Sacramento's Iwasa Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- Louisville City FC's Montano Earns USL Recognition - Louisville City FC
- RGV FC Toros Host Midweek Game vs Arizona United SC - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- USL Discipline Report: Week 13 - USL
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.
