Match Preview: Harrisburg City Islanders at Rochester Rhinos
August 21, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, PA- The Harrisburg City Islanders (9-9-6) are set to travel to Shalen's Stadium to take on the Rochester Rhinos (8-10-7) this Saturday at 7:05 PM. The match will come with heavy playoff implications as the Isles sit in 5 th place with 33 points while the Rhinos are in 7th with 31 points. The match will be the first of two meetings between the clubs in seven days, the second being next Saturday at Skyline Sports Complex.
The Islanders suffered their first loss in five matches after Orlando City SC snapped Harrisburg's four game winning streak at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The Rhinos, who have not won a match in the month of August, will look to add cushion to their playoff standing.
After a four match flurry that saw the resurgent City Islanders claim wins over USL PRO powers Orlando City SC and LA Galaxy II, Harrisburg was silenced by the foot of Orlando's Darwin Ceren, who recorded two goals in a 3-1 victory.
Isles' forward Robbie Derschang, who netted 3 goals in two matches vs. the Lions, will look to continue his hot streak against one of the league's top defenses. Midfielders Yann Ekra and Jose Barril have been strong in facilitating a Harrisburg attack that recorded 10 goals during their four match winning streak.
Despite a 0-3-1 record in the month of August, the Rochester Rhinos find themselves firmly in the USL PRO playoff picture. Rochester's defense has allowed just 21 goals on the season, second only to Orlando City SC.
The strong Rhino defense is buoyed by keeper John McCarthy, who has stymied attacks across the league to allow minimal 10 goals in 15 matches, good for a 0.67 goals allowed per match average, the best in USL PRO. Forward Jimmy Banks, who leads Rochester with 7 goals, will hope to lift a Rhinos' attack that has scored a league low 21 goals on the season.
The match will be broadcast live on YouTube and fans will also have the option to track the action by following the City Islanders on Twitter, @city_islanders. The Islanders' next home match will come on Thursday August 28th at 7:00 PM, when the Philadelphia Union will visit Skyline Sports Complex for an affiliate friendly.
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