Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Saturday, May 21, 2011
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders will host Orlando City on Sunday at 3 p.m. The City Islanders will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to four, coming off a 1-1 tie with the top team in USL PRO, the Richmond Kickers. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Harrisburg City Islanders (1-1-2)
The City Islanders are currently in third place of the USL PRO National Division, nine points behind the first-placed Los Angeles Blues and five points behind the second-placed Rochester Rhinos.The Islanders’ defense, led by goalkeeper Chase Harrison and defender Dustin Bixler has allowed the least amount of goals in the USL PRO so far this season with three. Forward Jose Angulo and midfielder Nelson Becerra have led the Islanders’ offense so far, combining for three goals and one assist. The Islanders expect a highly competitive and exciting game this Sunday against Orlando City.
This past Saturday, the City Islanders hosted USL PRO’s top club, the Richmond Kickers and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. Nelson Becerra scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 56th minute. Richmond denied the City Islanders from taking the full three points when substitute Shaka Bangura scored the game-tying goal in the 82nd minute off a header assisted by Matthew Delicâte.
The City Islanders have suffered some early season injuries and will be without Nelson Becerra (knee), Drew Yates (knee), Andrew Marshall (broken foot), and Jason Herrick (concussion) for Sunday’s game.
"We suffered some injuries early on, but we feel we have a deep roster, and other players will step up and perform well," said City Islanders coach Bill Becher.
Harrisburg Players to Watch
Jose Angulo
Angulo has two of the City Islanders’ three goals this season. He is also tied for eighth in shots of the USL PRO with 12. Angulo will be without his top offensive partner Nelson Becerra this week but he’ll still have a strong midfield to provide him with deliveries.
Jeritt Thayer
The midfielder from Corona del Mar, Calif. has highly contributed to the City Islanders’ offense success this season, even though not scoring any points. The New York University alumni scored 35 career goals for the Violets and earned a second team Division III All-American. With fellow midfielder Nelson Becerra being out this week, look for Thayer to earn more chances to score.
Orlando City (5-1-1)
Orlando City is currently in third place of the newly designed American Division. The Lions will be looking to extend their seven-game undefeated streak after a 0-0 draw against Rochester on Friday night. Their first and only loss of the season came in their season opener against the Richmond Kickers, losing 2-0. In their eight games, Orlando City has scored 10 goals and allowed five goals. Orlando City has proven the ability to ignore being away from home, recording a record of 3-1-0, scoring four goals and allowing three.
This past Saturday, Orlando City hosted the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, winning 1-0. Kevin Molino of Orlando City scored in the third minute from a Yordany Alvarez delivery. The goal would be good enough to give Orlando City their fifth win of the season.
"Orlando is a very strong team that is in good form right now. They are on a six game unbeaten streak, and we expect a tough game on Sunday," said Becher.
Orlando Players to Watch
Maxwell Griffin
The UCLA alumni is currently tied for first place in the USL PRO for goals scored (5), second in points (10), and tied for sixth in shots (14). Griffin is known as a scoring threat, scoring ten goals last year for the Austin Aztex of the USSF Division 2-Pro League. He graduated from UCLA sixth in their all-time scoring record.
Lewis Neal
Neal is a dangerous player, but even more dangerous when it comes to free kicks. The Englishman so far this season has converted one goal, two assists and league leading 18 shots. His goal came from a game-winning free kick against F.C. New York.
Sunday afternoon’s kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island. The gates will open at 1:30 p.m. During halftime, the City Islanders will be hosting a Zumba party sponsored by Gold’s Gym. The game will also be streamed at usllive.com, brought to you by Invica Sports. For more information on the City Islanders, or to order tickets, contact the team at 717-441-GOAL, or visit www.cityislanders.com. See you on the Island!