Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders are pleased to announce the club has re-signed midfielder Jamiel Hardware and goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. Hardware will return to Harrisburg for his second season with the club after a highly productive rookie campaign in 2013, while Sylvestre, a talented young goalkeeper, will also return for his second season with the club.
Hardware, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound midfielder, appeared in 25 matches, tallying 464 minutes of playing time during his rookie season in 2013. The Jamaican registered three points on the season off one goal and one assist. The agile midfielder will look to improve on his rookie season and become a key factor in the Isles' 2014 lineup.
"Jamiel is a young player who did very well for us last year when given an opportunity, we are looking for bigger things from Jamiel this year," said Isles Head Coach, Bill Becher.
Prior to joining the Isles in 2013, Hardwre played the tailend of the 2012 season with Swedish second division club, Motala AIF. As a member of the Swedish club, Hardware appeared in seven matches, registering one goal. Hardware also had a short collegiate career for Jefferson College in Missouri. He played in eight matches for the Vikings and notched one goal before turning professional.
Sylvestre, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound goalkeeper, served as the backup net-minder for the City Islanders during the 2013 season. The second-string goalkeeper did not see any playing time in 2013 as starting keeper Nick Noble played every minute of Islander action during the season. Sylvestre aims to improve his skills and continue competing for playing time on the pitch this summer.
Prior to joining the Islanders in 2013, Sylvestre played with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, where he was known as a commanding goalkeeper. Sylvestre joined the Whitecaps for their inaugural Major League Soccer season as a homegrown player. Sylvestre is a product of Whitecaps FC Residency, having joined the full-time program back on Feb. 12, 2010. The imposing goalkeeper has also represented the United States at U-17 and U-20 international levels.
With the 2014 USL PRO season rapidly approaching, the Isles are preparing for yet another action-packed season in USL PRO. The Islanders kick off their season on the road on April 5th against the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium. The Isles' home opener is slated for April 19th against the Dayton Dutch Lions. For tickets and group packages for the upcoming Islanders season please visit our website at cityislanders.com or call us at 717-441-GOAL (4625).