Match Preview: City Islanders vs. Rochester Rhinos
Published on August 29, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, PA- On Saturday, August 30th, the Harrisburg City Islanders (9-9-7) will welcome the Rochester Rhinos (8-10-8) to Skyline Sports Complex in their regular season home finale. The match will come one week after a shorthanded Isles team earned a 2-2 draw in Rochester, NY.
During their match in Rochester, Isles' keeper Nick Noble was shown a red card in the 33rd minute that forced Harrisburg to play with 10 men as David Flynn took over between the pipes. The red card will keep Noble out of Saturday's match, leaving Brian Sylvestre and Flynn as available keepers. Flynn showed poise in taking over for Noble on the road to allow just one goal to secure the draw, and Sylvestre showed he is also very capable with his US Open Cup performance against the Philadelphia Union.
Sitting in 8th place on the USL PRO table, Rochester is against the ropes with two matches remaining on their schedule. After their meeting with Harrisburg this weekend, the Rhinos will return home to host the Wilmington Hammerheads, who just advanced ahead of Rochester in the standings with a win over USL PRO leaders Orlando City SC. There's no room for error in the playoff race as the 5th and 12th place clubs are separated by just six points.
Islanders' forward Clesio Bauque followed up his brace in Rochester with a goal against Harrisburg's MLS partners Philadelphia Union. Bauque has proven to be a nuisance for opposing defense as he has consistently found space behind them, and the Isles have had no problem sending the speedy Mozambican on runs with lofts and through balls. Harrisburg will also look to forward Jimmy McLaughlin, who returned from injury Thursday night and will look to factor into a City Islander attack that has been relentless in recent matches.
Rochester will depend on their usual suspects, forward Jimmy Banks and keeper John McCarthy. Banks, who scored the equalizer to salvage a draw against Harrisburg last week, leads the Rhinos with eight goals scored. He will lead an attack looking to take advantage of a backup keeper in a crucial match for his squad. McCarthy will be out to redeem himself after allowing two goals last match, a rare occurrence while he's in the frame. McCarthy leads the league with nine shutouts in just 16 matches while only allowing 12 total goals, making him USL PRO leader in that category as well.
Fans in attendance can enjoy "Fan Appreciation Day," featuring an All-American cookout, a rally towel giveaway presented by Thaddeus Stevens Institute of Technology, happy hour from 5:30 PM until kickoff and a post-match party on the pitch!
This critical USL PRO clash will kick off Saturday, August 30th at 7:00 PM and the gates will open at 5:30 PM. For information and to purchase tickets for this match and all other City Islanders' matches visit CityIslanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL(4625).
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Get your tickets today by calling (717)441-4625 (GOAL).
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 29, 2014
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- Playoff Places on Line in Penultimate Weekend - USL
- Match Preview: City Islanders vs. Rochester Rhinos - Penn FC
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