USL PRO Playoff Preview: City Islanders vs. Orlando City SC
September 11, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, PA- The Harrisburg City Islanders (10-11-7) will travel to Florida to take on Orlando City SC (19-4-5) in the USL PRO postseason quarterfinals. The match will mark the Islanders fourth straight playoff appearance and their ninth in eleven years.
After a shaky start to the season where the Islanders only managed three wins through their first 14 matches, with only one win coming at Skyline Sports Complex, Harrisburg found their stride in the second half to climb from the bottom of the table.
"This would have never been possible without the support of the fans," said first year Club President Tiago Lopes. "We were off to a slow start in the beginning but the fans stood by the team all year."
The Islanders have met the Lions twice this season, playing at home and away. The home team won each match; First the Isles took a 3-2 decision in Harrisburg followed by a 1-3 defeat at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Harrisburg forward Robbie Derschang scored three goals in those two matches, including a 6th minute score to give the Islanders an early advantage in Orlando.
"We're looking forward to the opportunity to play in Orlando," said Isles' head coach Bill Becher. "They're 13-0-1 at home, but I thought we played well in our first visit."
In their matches against Harrisburg, Orlando City's attack was led by USL PRO goals scored record holder Kevin Molino, who had a goal in each match, and Darwin Ceren, whose brace lead the Lions to victory at home. Molino has been a terror for the league, claiming the goals scored and assist titles, with 20 and 9 respectively.
Derschang joins forwards Morgan Langley and Jimmy McLaughlin as the City Islanders' scoring leaders as all have recorded six goals on the season. Midfielder Yann Ekra, who is among league leaders with six assists, will look to spring the forwards toward the goal to facilitate a potent Isles' attack.
Becher understands that goals tend to come at a premium in the postseason. "Teams pick up their level of intensity in the playoffs. The defense tightens up and it makes it difficult to score."
The City Islanders have qualified for USL PRO postseason since the league's inaugural season in 2011. The Harrisburg City Islanders and Orlando City SC met in the first ever USL PRO championship match, where the Lions defeated the Islanders in a penalty shootout. The win would be the first of two league championships by Orlando City, the second coming last season in a 7-4 rout of Rochester.
The quarterfinal match will kickoff on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 PM. The clash will be broadcast live on Orlando City's YouTube channel, which can be found at www.youtube.com/user/OrlandoCitySC . Fans are encouraged to follow the action and join the conversation by following the City Islanders on Twitter @city_islanders.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 11, 2014
- Free Entry for Fans When LA Galaxy II Face Rochester - LA Galaxy II
- USL PRO Playoff Preview: City Islanders vs. Orlando City SC - Penn FC
- Lions Open Postseason against Harrisburg on Saturday - Orlando City SC
- Hammerheads Enter USL PRO Quarterfinals - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Kickers Host Charleston in USL PRO Quarterfinals Saturday - Richmond Kickers
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