new club president: http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/773777.html two key roles to note: partnership with Union, and stadium development.
I find this appointment interesting I wonder if Philly was involved in the selection. I find it odd that they couldn't find someone local to hire. Or even in the state.
Lucky Mkosana acquired by the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL after his loan spell during the USL Pro offseason. http://www.pennlive.com/sports/inde...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Sainey Touray signed by the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL. http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/post_432.html Between Ekra (presuming he stays with the Union), Lucky, and Touray, the City Islanders have lost 28 goals and 11 assists from the 2013 roster. Greg Jordan and Don Anding were both released by the Union so I can't imagine them returning to Harrisburg, obviously we won't know the roster and loans for a long time but it looks like serious rebuilding lays ahead of Bill Becher and company. As per the team's Twitter account, Nick Noble, Garret Pettis and Damani Richards are all under contract and will return in 2014. Pettis and Richards missed last season due to injury.
So I'm guessing that Harrisburg get's one of the keeper that currently the Union has. I wonder the odds they get the kid from UCon, the number one pick? It seems like it would make more sense to have him playing on a regular basis somewhere.
Eh, I have a hard time believing the first overall draft pick will go on loan to Harrisburg... My guesses would be maybe some of the other draft picks, or maybe homegrowns McGlaughlin/Pfeffer/Hernandez
Chivas USA signs Andrew Ribeiro after he played for their U23 team at the conclusion of last year's USL PRO season.
Twitter reports that Coady Andrews and Stephen Basso will return to City Island in 2014, meaning that a signficant backline returns (Noble in goal, Basso at left back, Andrews at center back, Richards at right back). The biggest void is attacking players with Ekra, Lucky, and Touray gone, so Harrisburg went out and signed Portguese U-19 forward Edinho Junior on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers!?! Granted, the kid was effectively released and played on loan in India, but he's only 19 and had enough talent that Celtic and Blackburn wanted him. Can't wait to see where he is talent-wise, it's a big opportunity for him to try get noticed by MLS and perhaps signals a new direction for the team with Tiago Lopes as president. Lopes is also Portuguese and his consulting firm worked in India and Portugal so he clearly knew Edinho. Harrisburg often has success with young forwards and wingers, see Jose Angulo, Sainey Touray, Tiyi Shipalane, and Morgan Langley for ones who played for MLS squads, and Edinho might be next. We'll see... I'm also curious to see if more Portuguese and/or international players follow Lopes to Harrisburg. The team press release: http://www.cityislanders.org/pages/news/news_detail.aspx?newid=443 Wiki on Edinho Junior: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinho_Júnior
I think this signing might be a view of the initial impact of the new GM. He's the one with a lot of Euro experience and contacts. Although it might also be some help from the Union. Maybe the agent contacted them. And they recommended this as a good place to start and for them to possibly sign him from. Both ideas are pure speculation on my part.
Current roster based on team's tweets the past few weeks (assume the Union will send the usual combo of Homegrown [midfielders Cristhian Hernandez, Jimmy McLaughlin & Zach Pfeffer] and Draft picks [likely a defender - Kevin Cope, Richard Marquez or Derschang - depending on who makes the team] down for its 4 players. Other candidates include midfield draft picks - Pedro Ribeiro [although he will likely stay up with the Union] and Aodhan Quinn [if he makes it], 2nd year midfielder, Leo Fernandes, and a trialist forward, Clesio Bauque, [if he makes it] from Mozambique and the Benfica youth team (have to think that Lopes' connections are bringing in these Portuguese prospects to Philly and HCI): G - Nick Noble, Brian Sylvestre D - Coady Andrews, Stephen Basso, Colin Zizzi, Damian Richards M - Andrew Welker, Jason Pelletier, Morgan Langley, Matt Bahner F - Garrett Perris, Jamiel Hardware, Edinho Junior
Not bad, seems mostly cosmetic. Although they hit my number one web site pet peeve. They have links that go to pages that say coming soon. If it's not ready yet, why show the link?
Just saying hello. I didn't know if you guys were aware, but you will be the visiting team for the first ever home game for Sacramento Republic FC. We won't be in our temporary stadium yet but will be playing at our community college stadium. Going to be a big event with 10-15k, hopefully more. Looking forward to seeing you April 26th! Cheers
Yann Ekra returns to the club after being released from the Union: http://www.local21news.com/sports/f...turning-city-islanders-896.shtml#.UxinSJK9KSM
Mozambique international Clesio Bauque signs with the club from Benfica. He's another youngster, 19-years-old like Edinho Junior, trialed with the Union, and has appeared in World Cup qualifiers. New club president Tiago Lopes has certainly imported some enticing youngsters, hope it pans out. http://cityislanders.com/club-news/islanders-sign-electrifying-forward-clesio-bauque/
Clarification on the Clesio signing, he's on loan from Benfica, which makes sense considering his age and international experience. He certainly seems to be more highly regarded than Edinho Junior by virtue of his contractual status and role with the Mozambique national team: http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/03/harrisburg_city_islanders_re-u.html
The City Islanders had their second preseason match in as many attempts canceled. First, it was inclement weather, now their opponent didn't have enough players. This is disconcerting because the team might be far behind their competition in fitness and cohesion when the new season kicks off. Teams like Orlando and Charleston have already competed against MLS squads, and Harrisburg has yet to play a preseason match. Plus they haven't received their loan players from the Union yet, which would be nice for integrating them into the squad. Considering that the City Islanders have signed two 19-year-olds to replace proven scorers Touray and Mkosana, they might be slow out of the gate until things jell.
My brief look at the City Islanders' tradition of African players, written earlier in the week before the Union loans became official. Junior and Clesio both scored in yesterday's 3-1 win at Penn State. http://thesportsburger.com/2014/03/20/city-islanders-african-pipeline-continues.aspx
Recap of last week's season opener: http://thesportsburger.com/2014/04/11/city-islanders-kickoff-season-with-scoreless-draw.aspx
2014 US Open Cup Fourth Round Schedule Laredo Heat (PDL) at Houston Dynamo (MLS) BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, TX – June 11 at 10 p.m. ET ———————– Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, CA – June 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET ———————– Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Chamblee, GA – June 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET ———————– Chivas USA (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL) WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, NC – June 14 at 8 p.m. ET ———————– New York Red Bulls (MLS) at New York Cosmos (NASL) Shuart Stadium (Hofstra Univ.); Hempstead, NY – June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET ———————– San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) at FC Dallas (MLS) Toyota Stadium; Frisco, TX – June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET ———————– DC United (MLS) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, NY – June 17 at 7 p.m ET ———————– Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS) PPL Park; Chester, PA – June 17 at 7 p.m. ET ———————– Indy Eleven (NASL) at Columbus Crew (MLS) FirstEnergy Stadium (Univ. of Akron); Akron, OH – June 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET ———————– Orlando City SC (USL PRO) at Colorado Rapids (MLS) Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, CO – June 17 at 9 p.m. ET ———————– Orlando City U23s (PDL) at Portland Timbers (MLS) Providence Park; Portland, OR – June 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET ———————– New England Revolution (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, VA – June 18 at 7 p.m. ET ———————– Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire (MLS) Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL – June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET ———————– Minnesota United FC (NASL) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS) Sporting Park; Kansas City, KS – June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET ———————– PSA Elite (USASA) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, WA – June 18 at 10 p.m. ET ———————– LA Galaxy (MLS) at Arizona United SC (USL PRO) Peoria Sports Complex; Peoria, AZ – June 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET