Harrisburg City Islanders News Release - www.cityislanders.com
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa. - On Tuesday the Harrisburg City Islanders will travel to Philadelphia to take on their MLS affiliate, the Philadelphia Union, at PPL Park. It will mark the second competitive meeting between the clubs.
The Isles’ fell to the Union in the only non-friendly meeting between the affiliates in the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal match by a score of 5-2. The Union took a three-goal lead into halftime before an even second half where each team scored twice. Current Islander forward Morgan Langely recorded Harrisburg’s second score in the 54th minute.
Prior to the City Islanders' first visit to PPL Park, they earned victories against MLS clubs the New England Revolution (3-3, 4-3 SO) and the New York Red Bulls (3-1) to advance to the quarterfinal round in the Open Cup, where they eventually fell. The Isles had success against MLS foes in previous Open Cup tournaments, defeating the Red Bulls (1-0) in 2010 and the Revolution (2-1) in 2009.
Harrisburg will face an uphill battle as Jimmy McLaughlin, Richie Marquez, Christian Hernandez and Pedro Ribeiro, whom are all on loan from the Union, will not suit up for the USL PRO side. The Islanders will also be without Robbie Derschang, Neil Shaffer and Clesio Bauque as they take time off to nurse injuries.
“The Open Cup is very important and we have a difficult task ahead,” City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher said. “The World Cup break will make things interesting; they’ll have an opportunity to play their starters. We’re up for the challenge and excited to play in PPL Park.”
After a two-match battle this week against Pittsburgh, both home and away, the Islanders will complete their tour across Pennsylvania. Harrisburg picked up four points against their cross-state rivals after a 3-1 win in Pittsburgh was followed by a scoreless draw at Skyline Sports Complex.
Through two US Open Cup matches, the Islanders have outscored their opponents by a seven-goal margin. Their first tournament triumph came against the Lehigh Valley United Sonic, followed by a 4-1 victory in a visit to Baltimore when they took on the Bohemians of the PDL.
The Philadelphia Union have struggled this season and currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference of the MLS. They have recently undergone a change in management, and are looking to save their season and improve their standing. Star forward Conor Casey, who has four goals on only seven shots on goal this season, will hope to pace the Union into the quarterfinals of the Open Cup. Philadelphia had its most successful US Open Cup run in 2012, where it fell to eventual champions Sporting Kansas City in the semifinal round.
The City Islanders will look to veteran Morgan Langley to lead the attack. Langley is amongst USL PRO leaders with 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists) and will look to build on that success as the Isles face their biggest challenge yet. Nick Noble will buoy a defense that will play short two pieces, Marquez and Shaffer. Backline regular Raphael Cox, who is recovering from an injury, will be a match-day decision.
The Islanders will hope to build on their “giant killers” moniker, as they have a US Open Cup record of 4-4-1 against MLS competition. The fourth round match will kick off at 7 p.m. at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.