Match Preview: Harrisburg Vs. FC New York
Published on August 4, 2011 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
This Friday, the Harrisburg City Islanders will be hosting FC New York in their final home game of the season before they begin their playoff run for the 2011 USL PRO Championship. The City Islanders are coming off a 2-1 home loss to the Wilmington Hammerheads while FC New York rolls into Harrisburg with a seven game winless streak.
In appreciation of the City Islanders fans' support this season, the City Islanders will be offering all youth tickets for $5. The City Islanders also will be hosting Snickers Night and the Jump Street's portable Peace Wall. Any fan can draw or write a message on the peace wall. Please make sure that you stop by and tag the wall! Everything that you make will appear on www.peacewall.net b-RVLGyNEPadEAvoxDM25BVaA=]. Don't miss the Frisbee catching dogs at halftime! Cheer on Jewel, Coral, and Saffire as they will be showing their flying Frisbee talents!
Fans 21 years or older can enjoy $2 Miller Light and Rolling Rock draft beers in the food court from 5:30 to kickoff! All City Islanders merchandise will be on sale! Buy one item and receive the second item at half price (lower value).
Harrisburg City Islanders (9-6-6, 33 points)
The Harrisburg City Islanders are currently in second place of the National Division, four points behind the Rochester Rhinos. This will be the Islanders twelfth home game of the season, recording a 6-2-3 record, scoring USL second best 25 goals and allowing thirteen goals. Overall, the Harrisburg City Islanders have scored the second most goals in the USL PRO with 36.
Last time these two teams met was back on July 20th at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island, where the City Islanders beat FC New York 5-1. Midfielder Andrew Welker led the way for the City Islanders with a hat trick, while Sainey Touray and Jose Angulo also scored for the City Islanders.
This past Saturday, July 30th, the Harrisburg City Islanders hosted the Wilmington Hammerheads in a 2-1 loss in front of 1,473 fans at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island. City Islanders forward Jose Angulo scored first for his club but it wasn't enough as Hammerheads Andriy Budnyy and Chris Banks score two unanswered goals to earn Wilmington's 11th win of the season.
"We came out strong and scored the first goal, but didn't do enough after that to win the game," commented Head Coach Bill Becher. "We have scored first in five of the last six games, but we are only 2-2-2 in that stretch. We need to continue to work hard after we get the lead."
Harrisburg Players to Watch:
Anthony Calvano
Calvano is the only City Islander to play every minute of the season (21 games, 1890 minutes). Without a doubt, the former Penn State Nittany Lion is one of the main reasons for Harrisburg's defensive success. Even though he hasn't scored a point this season, Calvano can be very dangerous offensively as well.
Andrew Marshall
The former Towson Tiger has also been a key component to the City Islanders backline. Last year for Crystal Palace Baltimore, he scored 2 goals and one assist.
FC New York (4-11-6, 18 points)
FC New York is currently in fifth place of the American Division. They're nineteen points behind first place (Rochester Rhinos) and fifteen points behind second place (Harrisburg City Islanders). This will be FC New York's eleventh away game of the season, recording a 1-7-2 record, scoring USL PRO least goals (7) and allowing league second most goals (22). Overall, FC New York has scored the second least goals in the league (20) and has allowed the league's second most goals (36). Since losing to the City Islanders 5-1 back on July 20th at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island, FC New York has gone 0-2, losing 3-1 versus the Wilmington Hammerheads and 2-0 to the Dayton Dutch Lions.
"We have to be prepared to play hard for 90 minutes," said Becher. "New York still has a shot at making the playoffs."
FC New York Players to Watch:
Jhonny Arteag
The Dominican College alum has been FC New York's major threat this season, scoring team high 8 goals, 17 points and 29 shots.
Kickoff is at 7:00pm and gates open at 5:30pm. The game will be streamed online at usllive.com, brought to you by Invica Sports. For more information on the City Islanders, or to order tickets, contact the team at 717-441-GOAL, or visit www.cityislanders.com. See you on the Island! The Harrisburg City Islanders will also be hosting their MLS affiliate, the Philadelphia Union, August 24th at 7pm. All tickets are $15 in advance and group rate is $12 per ticket with a group of 15 or more. Tickets on game day will be $18. Order online at www.cityislanders.com or by calling 717-441-GOAL.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 4, 2011
- Wilmington Hosts Los Angeles in USL PRO Game of the Week - USL
- Los Angeles Looking to "Move on" - Orange County SC
- Orlando City Can Clinch USL PRO Regular Season Crown - Orlando City SC
- Match Preview: Harrisburg Vs. FC New York - Penn FC
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.
