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2008 City Islanders Match Reports
8/2 Islanders down Bermuda 4-2 in front of a packed house
The Islanders, looking to cement themselves into the playoff picture with a win over Bermuda, were quick to take action as they pressed forward from the opening whistle. The first opportunity came in the sixth minute when Brian Ombiji was taken down in the box while attempting to get onto the end of a Ryan Heins cross. Referee Stan Nagle, seeing the foul on Ombiji, quickly pointed to the spot and set Harrisburg up with an early penalty kick chance. Nate Baker calmly strolled to the ball and easily placed the spot kick into the lower left corner past the diving Bermuda keeper, Timmy Figureido, for a 1-0 advantage. Harrisburg, not content to sit on a 1-0 lead, pushed the tempo and rolled over the Hogges for the next fifteen minutes as chance after chance was created. The lead was doubled in the seventeenth minute when David Schofield served a ball in from the right flank and found a completely unmarked Brett Wiesner standing on the penalty spot. Wiesner wasted no time in depositing a volley into the back of the net for his third tally of the season. Immediately following the goal Harrisburg was back on the offensive as this time it would be a quality forward run from left back Ryan Pierce that would pry the Hogges defense apart. Free on the left flank and running at the Bermuda center backs Pierce was able to loft a ball centrally to Ryan Heins who cleanly brought the ball down on the top of the box with one touch and fired a bullet past the diving Figureido on his second touch that found the side panel. Harrisburg led 3-0 and was rolling. The Hogges however did not quit even thought they were down 3-0 after just nineteen minutes. Finding their legs a bit and beginning to knock the ball around, the Hogges gained some rhythm and began to press the Islanders defensive unit for the last twenty minutes of the first half. Their efforts were rewarded in the forty-third minute when off a corner kick the Hogges got on the board courtesy of a well placed header from John Barry Nusum. The goal just before half time was enough to buoy the spirits of the Hogges and set up an interesting second half. The second half opened with the Hogges controlling play and Harrisburg content to sit in and counterattack, which created a free flowing and fast paced game from end to end. It was however Bermuda who were able to grab the next goal. Standing over a free kick from thirty yards out, thanks to a foul by Harrisburg’s Adam Clay, Omar Shakir eyed his options and the Islander wall. His ensuing free kick fooled everyone, especially Islanders keeper Danny Cepero, and the ball was neatly buried in the back of the net, drawing the Hogges to within one goal of the Islanders. For a game that looked like a blow-out early on, things were evening out and creating a bit of tension for the sellout crowd. The Islanders however would not allow the early cushion to slip away and they quickly went back to work on securing the three points. It was in the seventy-third minute that Harrisburg, following a flurry of blocked shots, earned one of their eleven second half corner kicks. David Schofield took the free service and found Adam Clay on the six yard box for an uncontested header that the substitute midfielder promptly deposited into the Hogges net, stretching the lead back to two goals with just sixteen minutes left to play. The Hogges didn’t throw in the towel though as they nearly pulled a goal back in the ninetieth minute when they were awarded a penalty kick for a Jeff Bloes foul at the edge of the area. Islander’s goalkeeper Danny Cepero was up to the task however and turned aside the penalty effort to help maintain the two goal cushion and secure the win for the Islanders. Harrisburg has two remaining regular season games, one home and one away. They will play host to in-state rivals the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday, August 6th, and then close out the season on the road in Bermuda on Friday August 8th. Tickets for the August 6th game against Pittsburgh are available by calling the City Islanders office at 717-441-GOAL 7/24 Islanders drop vital points in stunning fashion(Harrisburg, PA. Sunday, July 25, 2008) –The Harrisburg City Islanders turned in one of their weakest performances of the season on a night that claiming a full three points was imperative, leaving the defending champions an uphill climb in their quest to secure a home game for the first round of the playoffs. Squaring off against league, and closest geographical, rival Crystal Palace Baltimore, the Islanders were unable to capitalize on a golden opportunity to move into 4th place of the league table as Baltimore escaped Skyline Sports Complex with a 2-1 last gasp win while down two players. The Islanders, having gotten on the board early courtesy of a Mo Odour penalty kick in the 6th minute, quickly gifted a goal back to Baltimore when slack marking off of a restart allowed promising Baltimore rookie Pat Healey to slip in untouched at the back post and calmly slot the ball past Harrisburg goalkeeper Danny Cepero. With just ten minutes gone in the match the score was knotted at one a piece. That score would hold throughout the first half, but the half was far from boring as no less then six yellow cards and one straight red card would be given out before the first term expired. Of note was the 36th minute direct red card shown to Baltimore Forward Gary Brooks for a wicked and deliberate elbow to the face of Islanders midfielder Brian Devlin. The early exit for the reckless Brooks provided the Islanders with a man advantage the rest of the way and made things appear positive for Harrisburg heading into the break. The second half saw Harrisburg pushing forward to take the lead, but a very well composed Baltimore back line held well and was effective in counterattacking on occasion. The physical play continued throughout and no rhythm to the game was ever really established. Things seemingly got worse for Crystal Palace in the 76th minute when Captain Val Teixeira was shown a second yellow card and subsequently ejected from the game. Harrisburg, now holding a 2 man advantage for the last 14 minutes continued to push forward with Baltimore content to all out defend to earn an important road point. However, in the 94th minute, a miscue by the Islanders in their own penalty box led to a quick cross and free header goal by Baltimore’s Sergio Flores at the back post. The goal was an absolute catastrophe for the Islanders who had not been able to find their way through a resolute Baltimore defense while holding a man advantage for almost an hour. The resulting 2-1 loss held the Islanders in fifth place and realistically ended their chances of earning a first round playoff bye, and hurt their chances of earning a first round home playoff game. The Islanders and Crystal Palace will both have quick turn arounds for their next game as Harrisburg heads to Pittsburgh for a Saturday night fixture with the suddenly surging Riverhounds. Baltimore heads south to take on first place Charlotte. The Islanders next home game will be Saturday, August 2nd at 7:05pm as they take on the Bermuda Hogges at Skyline Sports Complex. Tickets are available by calling 717-441-4625 7/19 Ground Hogs Day on City Island(Harrisburg, PA. Sunday, July 20, 2008) – The Harrisburg City Islanders found a different way to do things and still ended up with the same result on Saturday night as they finished with a 2-2 tie against the Western Mass. Pioneers. Opening up a 2-0 halftime advantage the Islanders proceeded to give away two second half goals, the last coming in the 87th minute, that brought about the ever growing team record 9th draw of the year and damaged the teams chances of finishing in the first or second spot of the league table which would automatically clinch a playoff bye in round one. Fans of the Bill Murray movie “Groundhog’s Day” would love the City Islanders this year as it seems no matter the opponent or the venue the Islanders come up with the same result again, and again, and again. In what is clearly becoming a nuisance result to skipper Bill Becher the team is still finding way to dominate games yet come out on only even ground. “Where is the killer instinct to put a team away when up 2-0 at the half? We control much of the game but haven’t found a way to finish things off. We certainly aren’t doing ourselves any favors” said Becher. The early part of second half play saw the Islanders controlling possession and Western Mass. counterattacking as quickly and often as possible. Seeking to get on the scoreboard the Pioneers changed tactics and began employing three forwards to pressure the Islanders back line. The added forward presence paid dividends in the 61st minute when Midfielder Joe Germanese was able to put home a loose ball that had landed in the Islanders box via a long throw in and 4 ricochets. Given new life Western Mass pushed the tempo and were finally rewarded for their persistence in the 87th minute when a combination of a poor pass from Islanders midfielder Nate Baker and an out of position Ryan Pierce left a gap down the left flank. A quick counter led to a service into the box that hit two different Islanders defenders at odd angles and dropped miraculously at the feet of Pioneers Forward Neil Krause on the six yard line. The scrappy forward wasted little time in depositing the gift deflection in the back of the net and evening the score at two all. Harrisburg will have little time to reflect on the disappointment of the draw as the Islanders will turn around and host league rival Crystal Palace Baltimore on Wednesday, July 23, at 7:05pm on City Island. The match up will go a long way toward determining the order in which the top 5 playoff spots are determined. Tickets for the match are available and on sale via the team website, www.cityislanders.com, or by calling 717-441-4625. Game time is 7:05, gates open at 6:00pm. 7/11 Islanders Remain Unbeaten on the Road(Ludlow, MA. Friday, July 11, 2008)The Harrisburg City Islanders team bus pulled out of Lusitano Stadium tonight with their league best road unbeaten streak still in tact, but the Islanders were still clearly disappointed with the result. In what has become an all too familiar sight this season, the Islanders glanced up at the scoreboard after the final whistle only to see a 1-1 staring back at them, signifying a team record 8th tie of the season and 6th with the exact same 1-1 score line. Harrisburg now sits in fourth place in the USL-2 table with a 5-1-8 record. Playing against a Western Mass. side that is fighting for its playoff lives the Islanders opened the match seeking to put the Pioneers on their heels early, but it was in fact Western Mass. that tallied the first goal in the 9th minute when Noel Bunsie finished off a well worked play around the Harrisburg area and was able to beat Islanders keeper Danny Cepero with a quality finish to the back post. It was only the 8th goal allowed this season by Harrisburg. The goal would stand through the first half as both teams traded opportunities and yellow cards. Half number two opened with Harrisburg clearly taking control of the game, and with the physical intensity increasing. In a series that is typically dominated by red and yellow cards, (there have been 8 red cards in 8 previous games played between these two clubs) this game did not detour from the norm, and the fouls began to mount on both sides. Then, in the 74th minute, following some deflections around the Pioneer penalty box a ball fell to Forward Ryan Heins who rattled a shot through traffic and into the net to knot the game at 1 goal a piece. The goal for Heins was his team leading 5th goal and second in the last two games. Just one minute after the goal by Heins, Pioneers defender Kevin Cumberbatch was handed his second yellow card of the game for a nasty tackle on Harrisburg’s Steve Fisher which reduced Western Mass. to 10 men for the final 15 minutes. The Islanders, while applying more pressure with the man advantage, were however unable to score and the game ended in typical 2008 City Islanders fashion, a 1-1 draw. Coach Bill Becher, obviously frustrated by his team’s inability to put a team away when given the chance, said “it’s easy to say we came into a difficult environment and got out of here with a draw, but that’s not what we want or what we came for. These ties are getting ridiculous and at some point we’ve got to find three points instead of one. At home or on the road, it makes no difference.” The Islanders, who have only lost one league game the entire season, still sit in only fourth place of the league table, mainly because of the ties. “To have lost 1 game in fourteen is great, and full credit to the guys for that, but when you’ve only lost 1 game and you’re this deep into the season you should be further up the table then we are, like Charlotte for example. We just have to improve, and I have faith that we will.” said Becher. The Islanders look to move further up the league depth chart starting next Saturday night in what should be a very entertaining game against these same Western Mass Pioneers at 7:05pm back at Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. Tickets are available by calling 717-441-4625 6/26 1-1 Tie Frustrates Islanders
While the Navy Blue clad Islanders came out of the gates quick, and peppered Wilmington netminder John O’Hara often, the tidal wave of pressure was turned back repeatedly and without any Harrisburg successes. It was in fact O’Hara who truly earned the point for Wilmington as he made two point blank saves inside the first five minutes, first off of an Anthony Calvano header from five yards delivered via a free kick and another from the resulting corner. Twenty minutes later a volley from 25 yards by midfielder Brian Devlin clearly had O’Hara beaten but it unluckily found the right post and came out for another close call. Wilmington seemed to catch a break in the 39th minute when they were awarded a free kick from 22 yards out and dead center of the goal. Midfielder Trey Alexander stepped up and promptly placed the ball over the wall and off the fingertips of Harrisburg goalkeeper Brian Pope for a 1-0 Wilmington lead on what would be there only shot of the first half. Half number two opened much the same as the game did with Harrisburg fully controlling the game and putting more balls on frame, all of which O’Hara was equal to. Wilmington, holding a 1-0 lead and content to sit in and dump it long was holding on and looking to escape Harrisburg with a 1-0 result. The door for the Islanders seemed to open a bit though when in the 65th minute during a corner kick by Harrisburg a scuffle broke out in the box and Wilmington’s Ben Clark was shown a straight red card and the Islanders were given a penalty kick. Defender turned midfielder for this game Nate Baker stepped to the spot and calmly converted for his second goal of the year (both on penalties) and gave the Islanders their first goal. Despite having a man advantage for the remaining 25 minutes of the game the Islanders were unable to score and the final whistle blew at 1-1. In what was a dominating performance by Harrisburg (outshooting Wilmington 17-4 and holding a corner kick advantage of 14-2) the only thing that really matters is that Wilmington was able to hold on for a point thanks to some great goalkeeping by John O’Hara, a little misfortunate for the Islanders, and some soft shooting. The Islanders will look to get back on the win side of the scoreboard next weekend as they head south to battle the Real Maryland Monarchs on Sunday, July 6th, at 7:05pm. The Islanders have beaten Real Maryland twice thus far this season by scores of 3-0 and 4-0, although both those contests where in Harrisburg. The Islanders are on a 8 game unbeaten streak in the league and own an overall record of 4-1-7 for 19 points. 6/21 Scoreless Draw in Richmond
Richmond opened the attack early with a 6th minute close-call by midfielder Ian Bennett. The ball was played deep on the right flank to a waiting David Bulow, who played it back to Bennett, 10 yards out. He settled the ball in scoring position but fired a missile that sailed high over the crossbar. Five minutes later, Captain Mike Burke gathered a loose ball inside the box and slotted it through Harrisburg challengers, to find Stanley Nyazamba at the penalty spot. The native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe got off a quick strike but his attempt found the same fate as Bennett’s, minutes before. Not long after, Oduor earned a yellow card for a dangerous tackle against Burke at midfield. In the scuffle that ensued, Oduor found himself sent off for vicious conduct, leaving his team down to ten men, without their leading scorer. As the end of the half loomed near, City Islanders midfielder Brian Ombiji slid the ball across the field to an open Ryan Pierce inside the box, on the left side. Pierce cracked a calculated, point-blank shot but Richmond goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale did not let it find its target. The restart opened with Kickers midfielder Adrian Bumbut behind four consecutive close calls. First, in the 49th minute he slipped the ball just past the near post but tried again three minutes later. This time, he eluded defenders into the box and sent a rocket that was deflected wide of the bull’s-eye. Two minutes later, he was back in action, directing a close range shot but Cepero made a leaping save. Later, he looked dangerous again, this time slicing the ball through the Harrisburg defense from the top of the box, glancing inches from the far post. Harrisburg gained momentum in the 61st minute when midfielder Brian Devlin carried the ball through the midfield, slipping it to forward Ryan Heins near the top of the box. Heins settled the ball and sent it high over the crossbar. Eight minutes later, Devlin again played the ball across the box to an unmarked Brett Weisner but his shot fell to the near post and Pascale stretched to make the stop. Nyazamba looked for the icebreaker in the 71st minute when he received a well-played cross from defender Sascha Görres on the right side of the box. He trapped the ball with his chest and half-volleyed the potential game-winner but Cepero tipped it against the woodwork. Each team strived to come out on top but no one could capitalize in the final minutes of the match. With two minutes until full-time Devlin teamed up again with Heins, who was in scoring position at the top of the 18 but his shot floated wide of the net. With five minutes of stoppage time called, the Kickers were awarded a free kick in Harrisburg territory. Görres played an inswinger to the far post but a City Islanders defender headed the ball over the crossbar. 6/14 Islanders Defeat Real Maryland
Opening the game as if they came out of sprinters blocks the Islanders were quickly on the offensive. Forward Ryan Heins ran down an early ball out of the back from defender Ryan Pierce and looking to put something on frame. The ball was blocked out by Real Maryland for an early corner that was to be taken by midfielder Yu Hoshide. “Hoshi” as his teammates call him, quickly whipped a service into the six yard box that easily found the head of unmarked defender Anthony Calvano who promptly buried the ball in the back of the net. It marked Calvano’s first goal of the year and another quick start for the Islanders. Not looking to sit back and enjoy a 1-0 lead the Islanders continued full speed ahead and again found the back of the net in the 36th minute when Ryan Heins was brought down in the area resulting in a penalty kick. Captain Mo Odour stepped to the spot and calmly placed the ball in the net while sending Real’s goalkeeper, Emilio Zelaya the wrong way. Shortly after the penalty kick goal Heins was back at it again as this time he picked up a loose ball that was mishandled by Real’s center back Phillipe Bissohong. Rushing into the box and creating a scoring angle Heins slipped the ball past Zeleya for the third Islanders goal of the half right at the stroke of time. The Islanders went to the locker room leading 3-0 and firmly in command. The second half opened much the same as the first as Harrisburg struck inside the first five minutes. Yu Hoshide again played set up man as he got free on the end line and squared a ball back to a slashing Brian Ombiji on the 6 yard mark. Ombiji simply placed the one-timer home and it was 4-0 before the crowd had settled back into their seats from the break. While the rest of the game would go goalless, Real Maryland did find some rhythm and control some periods of time through the play of midfielder Dennis Alas. The shutout however was preserved by a two fine saves in the 90th minute as Islanders goalkeeper Danny Cepero was equal to the task of a good Alas free kick and a volley from the top of the 18 through traffic. 6/10 US Open Cup: Islanders Advance
Harrisburg entered the game riding a three game winning streak that had seen the Islanders score 8 goals over those games. The goal scoring continued against Yakima as the Islanders would add 5 more including 4 before half-time. Opening the game quickly Harrisburg was on top after just 32 seconds when left sided mid-fielder Brett Wiesner cut in from the sideline near midfield and drove a pinpoint diagonal ball toward the far right corner flag and over the top of the Yakima center backs. The ball dropped 25 yards from goal right in front of on-rushing right sided mid-fielder David Schofield who took one touch forward into the penalty box and expertly place the ball around the outstretched arms of Yakima goalkeeper Robert McCurdy. Unfortunately for McCurdy and Yakima it was only a sign of things to come as the Islanders would not take their foot off the pedal and continually pushed the Reds back line. Following more early scoring chances the Islanders were gifted a goal in the 16th minute when a corner kick taken by Wiesner took a fortuitous bounce inside the six yard box off of a Reds defender and into the net. Harrisburg led 2-0 and Yakima was clearly feeling the effects of a 23 hour cross country trek.. The Islanders now firmly in control of the game, continued to possess and probe the Yakima line while holding off the occasional Reds counterattacks that did produce a few chances off of restarts. In the 43rd minute though Wiesner got back into the action as he again hooked up with Schofield to produce what could only be described as the best goal Harrisburg has scored this year. Wiesner, fielding a pass from Schofield while standing on top of the penalty box at the wide left corner and facing the far sideline, deftly curled a one touch shot into the upper right corner of the net that left McCurdy with no chance at a save. The shot had started well wide of the far post and high, but cut hard downward and in as it nestled under the bar and effectively put the game out of reach for Yakima. That however wasn't the end of the scoring for the Islanders in half number one as Wiesner again played set up man and slotted forward Almir Barbosa in front of the net for an easy finish on the 45 minute mark. Harrisburg went to the locker room up 4-0. Half number two opened with a pair of changes in the Harrisburg line-up as goalkeeper Brian Pope entered the game for Danny Cepero and Geoff Bloes came on for captain Mo Odour. Pope's appearance was his first of the season as he rang up 3 saves throughout the frame and showed a commanding presence in net. Bloes entrance to the field marked not only his first minutes of the year for the Islanders, but his professional debut. The former Middletown High School and Shippensburg University star wasted little time in making his mark as he connected for Harrisburg's 5th goal of the night in the 57th minute with a back post tap in on another assist by Wiesner. Yakima would go on to add a goal in the 86th minute via an Angel Rojas shot which followed a scramble in the box. Pope was unfortunate not to keep the clean sheet as the goal came off of a tough deflection in the box before the net-minder had any chance to make a save. Yakima, who is 5-1-1 and tied for first in the PDL's Northwest Division of the Pacific Conference, showed spirit throughout the night and never gave in despite the Islanders quick strikes and large half-time lead. Led by mid-fielder, Luis Galvan, the Reds did very well in spurts throughout the night but fell victim to the Islanders finishing efforts. Harrisburg will now take on Crystal Palace Baltimore on Tuesday, June 24th, at 7:00 pm on City Island in 2nd round play of the US Open Cup. Baltimore won their first round game against the L.A. Legends 2-1 behind 2 goals from rookie Pat Healy. The winner of the Harrisburg - Crystal Palace game will advance to play an MLS side in the round of 16. Season Ticket holders should use Event 2 Tickets. Tickets are now available for the 2nd round U.S. Open Cup match by calling 717-441-GOAL. 6/8 Islanders Take Palace
With game time temperatures in the upper 90’s and on field temperatures well above that both teams came out to a slow start that lasted through the entire first half of play. Neither side showed much during the opening stretch as Harrisburg looked to keep the ball in midfield and around the back with Crystal Palace content to sit in. When Baltimore did have the ball the route 1 approach over the top of the Islanders back line was the preferred method of attack but that was easily handled by the Harrisburg back four. The first half ended with each team having registered four shots, but none that would have troubled either of the two goalkeepers; Matt Nelson for Baltimore, and Danny Cepero for Harrisburg. The second half opened with a few changes to the Baltimore line-up and status quo for Harrisburg. While the play did begin to open up the game was still a battle through mid-field as both teams appeared affected by the stifling heat and the fact that each team had played less then 48 hours previously. The game did spark a touch in the 62nd minute when Harrisburg seemingly jumped in front on corner kick goal by Mo Odour but the goal was waived off when the linesman judged the flight of the ball to have swerved out over the end-line before curling back to the middle of the box and the head of Odour. The Islanders would not have to wait much longer to get on the board however. In the 67th minute Brian Devlin stripped Baltimore in the middle third and the ball popped free to Yu Hoshide who quickly pushed up the right flank to about 35 yards out. Heading away from goal on the right Hoshide deftly bent a ball around the Baltimore back 4 and landing it squarely in the path of on-rushing left sided mid-fielder Brian Ombiji. Ombiji took the ball out of the air and eased it goal ward, leaving goalkeeper Matt Nelson with nothing to do but turn and watch it roll into the net. The quick strike counter attack goal was all Harrisburg needed to put the game away as they looked to simply possess the ball for the final 20 minutes of the game and kill off the clock. Baltimore did push forward in search of an equalizer but were unable to mount a serious threat as they eventually fell 1-0. Following the game assistant coach Steve Widdowson noted that “we’re very pleased with the result here today. It’s not easy to win on the road in this league let alone against a good team, so we’ll take it.” Harrisburg, which dropped its first pre-season game this year to Baltimore 2-1 while using a vastly different line-up, was looking to even things up. “The team we put out today was far different then what we had in mid-April. Only 1 player that played that day is in our squad today, so I think we had a totally different look to throw at them, which may have given us a little bit of an edge. When it’s this bloody hot any edge is worth having. We’re just pleased to get the 3 points and now look ahead to the Open Cup”. Harrisburg (3-1-5) has now claimed three straight league games while outscoring its opponents 8-1 over that stretch. Goalkeeper Danny Cepero leads the league in saves and has a .66 goals against average as he’s played every minute of Harrisburg’s nine games this season. With the win in Baltimore the Islanders remain the league’s only unbeaten team on the road going 1-0-4 through 5 away dates. 6/6 Islanders Break Out Against RicmondThe Harrisburg City Islanders picked up a big win on Friday night as they downed the Richmond Kickers 4-1 on City Island in the season series opener. Scoring 2 goals in short spans on each side of half-time ensured all three points for the home side and a comfortable victory. For anyone reading the box score, this game would appear to be anything but close, but contrary to the final result the game was very much in doubt early. Richmond opened the game with a barrage of scoring opportunities that saw Harrisburg goalkeeper Danny Cepero forced into two different one on one situations that both times ended in Richmond narrowly pushing the ball wide of the posts. In the 10th minute Richmond unleashed a full arsenal of shots that pinned Harrisburg deep in their own end for a full 3 minutes but by virtue of blocks, diving saves, balls off the post, and even a goal line clear by defender Dustin Bixler, the Kickers were stymied. The Islanders, fortunate not to be down by a goal or even two, minutes later went on the attack. Pressure from the front line caused an errant pass from the Kickers back four and an opportunistic Almir Barbosa found himself alone with only Richmond Keeper Ronnie Pascal between him and the net. Barbosa calmly place the ball around Pascale in the 16th minute and the Islander went up 1-0. Not 120 seconds later the Islanders again pushed forward as midfielder Brian Ombiji volleyed a service off the crossbar that dropped right back to him and he rammed the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead that would stand to half-time. The second half again opened with Richmond looking to seize the game and create chances, but this time there was to be no goal line defending or moments of trepidation for the Islanders back line. A mid-field battle ensued until in the 69th minute a quick combination play around the box led to a Steve Fisher through ball and a tidy finish by team captain Mo Odour, earning Harrisburg a 3-0 lead and a commanding hold of the game. Just as in the first half though, the Islanders again engineered a quick brace when substitute midfielder Yu Hoshide rifled a shot from a tight angle to the right of Pascale that hit every piece of woodwork on the goal frame as it rattled home and capped an offensive outburst from the home side. Richmond would go on to add a goal to their side of the score line during injury time but the damage was done during the two quick strike time frames that saw the Islanders post a season high four goals. The Islanders caught some breaks early that they hadn’t gotten at any point early in the season, and Richmond was clearly left feeling disappointed in what started off as a quality performance. 5/31 Islanders Cruise to 3-0 Victory
Led by forward Ryan Heins, Harrisburg was on the offensive from the first whistle and looked to seize the game early. With a number of chances in the first twenty minutes, it was clear that the Islanders were determined to net the opening goal. After trading free kicks, including a well struck one by Real’s Dennis Alas that nicked the top of the cross bar on its way over, Harrisburg fond the opening goal in the 31st minute. Midfielder Milton Blanco was given space on the right flank to serve a ball in and he promptly found a slashing Ryan Heins on the six yard mark for a well placed header and goal. Not satisfied with the one-goal lead Harrisburg continued to press creating chances through good defensive work in the midfield. In the 43rd minute Real was whistled for a foul just wide of their own goal box on the left flank. David Schofield stepped up to serve the ball in, but cleverly caught the Real goalkeeper off guard when instead of serving the ball into the box he fired a shot that curled around the wall. The shot surprised the Real keeper and before he could react the ball was in the back of the net and Harrisburg led 2-0. One minute later the two goal scorers managed to combine as Schofield slipped a through ball to Heins inside the box and Heins neatly slotted the ball past the on-rushing net minder. Unfortunately, Heins was ruled to be offside and Harrisburg had to settle for a 2-0 halftime lead. Starting half number two the way they ended the first, the Islanders immediately went on the attack again. Limiting Real to very few chances with a smothering defense and quality leadership and saves from goalkeeper Danny Cepero, the Islanders were able to keep the momentum going until the 62nd minute when Ryan Heins again got in on the action and found an open Mo Odour in the box. Odour brought the ball down in traffic and calmly slotted home the 3rd goal of the night, and his first of the season. Harrisburg led 3-0 at that point and would run the game out with a few more chances as they earned their first win of the season. The game was not only the first win of 2008, but it marked the debut of midfielder Yu Hoshide. Entering the game in the 63rd minute, Hoshide narrowly missed the target on a 30 yard blast in the 71st and he quickly set up two counter attacks with very deft passing. The 30 year old native of Tokyo signed with the Islanders in April but has been unable to play until now as he was waiting on the proper Visa and Immigration documentation. Having spent 8 years as a professional in the JFL (Japanese Futbol League, or J-League) Hoshide looks to demonstrate the skills that made him a JFL all-star in 2003, here in Harrisburg. We look forward to seeing more of what Hoshide can do Friday against the Richmond Kickers. 5/16-17 Islanders All Tied Up In North Carolina
On Friday night in Charlotte the Islanders took to Restart Field against the undefeated Eagles for what would prove to be a fast paced, even, and exciting game. The boys came out firing on all cylinders right away as they created a few chances in the opening 10 minutes of play. Charlotte tried to settle in with their calm possession game, but the Islanders defensive play was solid and created numerous counter attack opportunities. One chance saw a quick combination in central midfield open up Brian Ombiji on the left flank. Ombiji, seeing a gap in the Charlotte back line, played a good first time ball over the defense toward the top corner of the Eagles box. Charlotte net minder Terry Boss tried to get out and cover the ball but the pace of forward Ryan Heins was too great as he got to the ball first and then deftly flicked it over Boss who was stranded in no man’s land. Harrisburg led 1-0 at the 27 minute mark. Following the goal Charlotte immediately pressed forward and almost equalized as a well placed free kick struck the crossbar in the 40th minute. The second half of play saw both teams slugging it out from box to box with Harrisburg hitting the post in the 51st minute and forcing a sprawling save from Boss in the 63rd. However, Charlotte would get on the board in the 65th as a free kick from 20 yards out deflected on its way towards goal and was beyond the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Danny Cepero. The goal was a bit lucky, but enough to earn a draw for Charlotte and another frustrating score line for the Islanders. Fresh off the tie to Charlotte, and a 4 hour bus ride across NC, the Islanders would take on Wilmington Saturday night. Sporting four new starters, Harrisburg was looking to control the game early and keep possession. Things opened well for the Islanders as Almir Barbosa found Steve Fisher with a square ball across the six yard box in the 7th minute that the opportunistic forward calmly placed into the back of the net, giving Harrisburg a 1-0 lead early. Opening the 2nd half with a 1-0 lead for the second consecutive night the Islanders again started well, but the heavy legs from back to back games soon became an obstacle as Wilmington turned up the pressure. A scramble in the box in the 55th minute produced a Wilmington goal and a tie score. Things continued to heat up as tempers on both sides flared and play became choppy. Chances for both teams came but neither could convert. Harrisburg had the best chance in the 84th when a David Schofield free kick from 24 yards out hit the underside of the crossbar and came straight down and out. In the end it was yet another 1-1 draw for the Islanders. The team will be back in action on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 7:05 versus Real Maryland at Skyline Sports Complex. 2008 Team Photo giveaway courtesy of Huggins Printing (while supplies last) For tickets please call 717-441-4625 5/10 Charlotte Tops Harrisburg 1-0
Charlotte (4-0-0) took the play to Harrisburg (0-1-3) from the opening whistle as they maintained quality possession. The chances however didn’t come as the Islanders back line was clean and stout for the first 45 minutes. Around the 20 minute mark Harrisburg began to open up and find their legs as Ryan Heins got in around the right side of the Charlotte back line and created a few chances resulting in Harrisburg corners. The Islanders were unable to capitalize and saw out the first half with a 0-0 score line. The start of half number two saw no changes from either bench as both teams looked to open up a gap in the others defense. Ever probing, Charlotte began to find some rhythm with productive runs down the flank early on. In the 65th minute forward Dustin Swinehart took a quality service from the left flank down in the Harrisburg box and promptly rifled the ball on frame only to see it denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Danny Cepero. The rebound came right to Swinehart, who popped the ball off the crossbar, which again came back to him for a looping header over the outstretched arms of a diving Cepero. Harrisburg quickly went on the offensive straight after the goal as Brett Wiesner, Steve Fisher, and David Schofield came off the bench to run at the Charlotte back line. While a number of good scoring opportunities were created, in particular a break away by Fisher in the 88th minute, the Charlotte defense held and the Eagles escaped City Island with a hard fought 1-0 victory. The Islanders will not have to wait long to earn some revenge as they will travel to Charlotte this coming Friday, May 16, to face the Eagles. They will then head to Wilmington on Saturday, May 17. 5/2 City Islanders vs Cleveland City Stars
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The Harrisburg City Islanders came out of the gate firing on all cylinders against the Bermuda Hogges on Saturday night and earned a full three points for the first time in nearly a month as they notched a 4-2 victory before a crowd of 2,374 fans at a packed Skyline Sports Complex. The victory was Harrisburg’s first home win since picking up three points against Real Maryland on June 14th. 
(Harrisburg, PA. Saturday, June 28, 2008) The Harrisburg City Islanders did everything but claim a full three points on Saturday night as they overwhelmed Wilmington at Skyline Sports Complex. The resulting 1-1 score line earned the Islanders their 7th tie of the season, was the 5th for Wilmington, and the exact score line that the two clubs played to in mid-May in North Carolina.
RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers battled the Harrisburg City Islanders to a scoreless draw on Saturday night in front of 1,690 rain-soaked fans at the University of Richmond Stadium. Harrisburg star midfielder Mo Oduor was sent off in the 15th minute, leaving the City Islanders a man down for the remainder of the match. Despite outnumbering the City Islanders, the Kickers were not able to find the back of the net to break the stalemate.
The Harrisburg City Islanders upended the Real Maryland Monarchs for the second time in 15 days on Friday night with a first half offensive explosion and more solid defending. Scoring just 2 minutes into the game, and adding another 2 goals before the halftime mark the Islanders cruised past an obviously tired Real Maryland side that has yet to record a point on the road this season.
The Harrisburg City Islanders opened the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup's 1st round on Tuesday night with a resounding 5-1defeat of the PDL's Yakima Reds before an intimate gathering at Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. Leading the way for the Islanders was midfield/forward, Brett Wiesner, who proved to be the games architect and director as he skillfully picked Yakima apart to the tune of 1 goal and 3 assists.
Looking to extend their two game winning streak, and 4 game unbeaten streak, the City Islanders rolled into UMBC Stadium on Sunday night to take on Crystal Palace Baltimore. Having cruised past Richmond 4-1 on Friday night the Islanders were anxious to take on a Crystal Palace side that had opened the season with 5 straight wins but had dropped its last two games by scores of 3-0 and 3-1 to Charlotte and Western Mass. respectively.
Displaying their first true offensive onslaught of the season this past Saturday night, the Harrisburg City Islanders cruised to their first victory of the season by beating the Real Maryland Monarch 3-0.
The City Islanders traveled south this past weekend to North Carolina for two games against Charlotte and Wilmington. While the team was able to avoid wet weather for the first time all season they were not able to come away with the first win of the season.
The Harrisburg City Islanders fell to Charlotte tonight 1-0 in a contentious battle on City Island. A crowd of 1723 were on hand to see what turned out to be a back and forth affair with both teams grabbing the game for periods of time.
The City Islanders traveled west this past weekend and came away with two ties. On Friday the Islanders played the Cleveland City Stars who they tied 1-1 on April 26th home opener in Harrisburg. The Stars got an early chance off an Islanders miscue, but Randolph Jerome’s shot was tipped over the crossbar by keeper Danny Cepero. The two teams had to clear the field in the second minute as storms delayed the game for 45 minutes. The game resumed with both teams struggling to create scoring chances. The second half wasn’t much different from the first, as both defenses made it difficult to score goals. The best chance of the second half was taken by the Islanders, as Milton Blanco received a ball about 15 yards out, just wide of the far post. He brought the ball down nice, and took a good shot, but Stars keeper Eric Reed was able to make the save. The game ended, and the Islanders had to settle for their second tie in as many games. The two teams have played each other very even over the past two seasons, with each team winning a game, and three ending in ties. 
The City Islanders opened their season on Saturday night against the Cleveland City Stars, and didn’t finish the game until Sunday afternoon. It was a much anticipated rematch of last year’s thrilling double overtime win for the Islanders in the league semi-finals. 
