City Islanders Weekly
May 16, 2005 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
The Harrisburg City Islanders rode an opportunistic offense and a solid defensive effort to a 2-0 victory over a team of Maryland College All-Stars in an exhibition match played at Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md., on Saturday, May 14.
Non-roster invitee Taffarie Laing (in approximately the 41st minute) and forward Henry Mensah (85th) scored for the City Islanders. Laing, a Fairleigh Dickinson product and the lone non-roster participant for Harrisburg, opened the scoring late in the first when he moved in from the right wing and launched a left-footed rocket from 20 yards out. Mensah cashed in the rebound of a Jimmy Stone effort as the game neared its end, sealing the win.
Harrisburg's Dave Kern went the full 90 minutes in goal for the shutout. The City Islanders played without regulars Steve Fisher, Steve Custer, David Schofield, Matt Tanzini, J.T. Dorsey, Sumed Ibrahim, Mo Oduor, and Shane Crawford. Bryan Hill and Chad Severs both dressed but did not enter the match.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE...
Tuesday, May 17 â Practice, "In The Net", 8:30 â 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 18 â Practice, "In The Net", 8:00 â 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 19 â Practice, "In The Net", 8:30 â 10:30 a.m.
Friday, May 20 â Practice, "In The Net", 3:00 â 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 â City Islanders vs. Northern Virginia Royals, Skyline Sports Complex, 7:05 p.m.
The City Islanders return to regular season action this Saturday, May 21, when the Northern Virginia Royals make their lone visit of the season to Skyline Sports Complex. Kickoff is 7:05 p.m.
The Royals, who went 3-16-0 in 2004, have struggled in 2005. Northern Virginia enters the week with an 0-5-0 record, having been outscored 24-2. Harrisburg defeated the Royals twice a year ago, winning 5-2 in Northern Virginia on April 17 and 5-0 (the most lopsided victory in City Islanders history) on June 23 in Harrisburg.
ODDS AND ENDS...
- The City Islanders have partnered with the Dauphin County Executive Commission on Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco (DCDAT) to provide area youth with a free ticket to the City Islanders home game on Saturday, June 4, 2005, against the Cincinnati Kings. Youth are simply required to sign and submit a Smoke Free Pledge to receive the free ticket. The Pledge form is available for download at www.cityislanders.com, or may be requested by calling 717-441-GOAL.
- Three of the seven City Islanders Academy teams kick off their 2005 Super Y-League schedules this weekend. All City Islanders Academy players will be recognized at the June 4 home game (see separate release).
U.S. OPEN CUP QUALIFYING UPDATE...
Saturday will be Harrisburg's final U.S. Open Cup qualifying match and the City Islanders need a win and some outside help to guarantee themselves a tournament invitation, though it is possible (but unlikely) for Harrisburg to lose on Saturday and still qualify.
Having already locked out Northern Virginia, Harrisburg must lock out two more teams to snag a Cup spot. The City Islanders, who could still finish as high as fourth, could pass any or all of the following teams: Long Island, New Hampshire, Western Mass, and Pittsburgh. Harrisburg's position will depend on how those teams fare in their remaining qualifiers, meaning the City Islanders will not know their status until the end of qualifying on May 28.
The Rough Riders host Cincinnati on 5/21 and Wilmington on 5/28, while the Phantoms and Pioneers clash twice: on 5/21 in Western Mass and 5/28 in New Hampshire.
Pittsburgh's game against Northern Virginia this past Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather and may not be rescheduled before the end of the month. Either way, Pittsburgh's decisive match comes on 5/28 in Cincinnati: assuming the City Islanders win this weekend, the Riverhounds will have to beat the Kings.
Cincinnati and Wilmington both clinched Open Cup berths over the weekend, joining the Charlotte Eagles, who have now wrapped up the top qualifying seed.
Complete U.S. Open Cup updates are available at www.usopencup.com.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 16, 2005
- Free Youth Ticket Available For June 4 City Islanders Game - Penn FC
- City Islanders Academy Teams Kick Off This Weekend - Penn FC
- City Islanders Weekly - Penn FC
- Rough Riders Grounded By Eagles - Long Island Rough Riders
- Game too far for Valiant Rough Riders - Long Island Rough Riders
- Tough weekend for the Phantoms - New Hampshire Phantoms
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