Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Thursday, March 27, 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has loaned two players to the team's official USL PRO affiliate, the Harrisburg City Islanders, for the 2014 USL PRO season. Defender Richie Marquez and Pedro Ribeiro will join the City Islanders ahead of their USL PRO season-opening match on April 5 against the Wilmington Hammerheads. Philadelphia Union will have the option to recall any of the two players during the loan period.
Ribeiro, 23, spent four years at Coastal Carolina, scoring 31 goals and notching 26 assists during his collegiate career. A product of Reading United A.C., the Union's PDL Affiliate club, the native Brazilian had a decorated career at Coastal Carolina, receiving NSCAA Second Team All-American honors (2013), Big South Attacking Player of the Year (2013) and First Team All-Big South (2013, 2012, 2011), among others.
Marquez, 21, from the University of Redlands, he earned NSCAA All-American honors in his junior (2012) season and D3soccer.com All-American honors his senior (2013) season. Additionally, the defender was named to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) First-Team in each of his four years at the University of Redlands. During his senior year, Marquez helped lead the Bulldogs to six shutouts and a 0.85 GAA en route to becoming the only SCIAC member to earn NSCAA All-American honors.
Officially signed in March of 2010, the original partnership with Harrisburg provided the Union with an option to loan players to the Islanders for increased playing time, as well as scout up and coming talent, such as Union starting right back Sheanon Williams, who suited up for the City Islanders in 2010.
Philadelphia Union and the Harrisburg City Islanders announced on March 6, 2013 that the clubs expanded their original partnership, allowing players to stay, practice and play vital games with their USL counterparts for an extended period of time. The Union no longer field a Reserve League team, instead incorporating reserve players into the City Islanders to help the team compete for a USL championship.
With the 2014 USL PRO season right around the corner, the Islanders are preparing for another competitive and exciting season in the USL PRO. The Isles will kick-off their 2014 campaign on April 5th against the Wilmington Hammerheads. The club's home opener is slated for April 19th against the Dayton Dutch Lions at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. Season tickets and group packages are on sale now. To purchase tickets please visit our website at cityislanders.com or contact the office at 441-GOAL (4625).