Harrisburg City Islanders Thread

Discussion in 'United Soccer Leagues' started by totalfootball9, Feb 28, 2007.

  1. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    2007 Team news for the City Islanders:

    7 players signed so far for the 2007 season, all of which played last season.

    Derek Potteiger - Has a deal through 2010.
    Adam Clay
    Mo Oduor
    David McClellan
    Chris Morman
    David Schofield
    Matt Tanzini

    I'll be curious if the team resigns keeper Dave Kern, he's been a mainstay between the pipes since the team started.
     
  2. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was curious how the City Islanders were doing financially.

    Do they have a great deal on rent from the city? Are they in high debt? Are they supported by a wealthy owner (who is the owner)?

    Thanks
     
  3. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    I've emailed their GM.....I believe the team is owned by Eric Pettis, but I'm not 100 % sure.

    I know they play on City Island, which is owned by the city of Harrisburg.

    Financially I think they do "fair", they seem to be doing things properly and in it for the long run.

    I'll post my reply from the GM when I get it.
     
  4. ButlerBob

    ButlerBob Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 13, 2001
    Evanston, IL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Here's a link to their board. I think they have three owners and Pettis is the primary. I wouldn't say that they have deep pockets.


    http://cityislanders.com/driver.aspx?topic=proteamboardofdirectors

    Overall I think they are doing ok, by USL 2 standards. They play on a city owned facility. Which isn't bad, but not as good as the nearby AA baseball stadium. I think it rates a little above a high school facility. However, the field doesn't drain well (heck it's on an island). Interested to see if they can talk the city into upgrading the facilities.
     
  5. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    The field isnt the greatest of fields, on the one end it has the infield of a baseball field. Which doesnt make for a good pitch of course!

    The field is next to the AA or AAA baseball field, whichever it is. The area is called "City Island" but it's not actually an island.

    The "stadium" is nice and cozy, not very big but its a decent setup. Take away the dirt infield and it would be much, much better!
     
  6. ButlerBob

    ButlerBob Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 13, 2001
    Evanston, IL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's a section of land surounded by water, if it's not an island, what the heck is it. It's in the middle of a river and the only way to get there is on a bridge that crosses water. Here's a google map, to show where it is.

    http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...-76884722,1351663707249677193&li=lmd&z=14&t=m

    It's next to the Harrsiburg Senators stadium which is a AA baseball team for the Washington Nationals. Here's a link to their website, http://www.senatorsbaseball.com/. It sits 6,302.
     
  7. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My bad about the Island, I dont know why I was thinking it was connected to land of the other side of Market St bridge.

    You can actually see the water to your right as you walk into/along the stadium....But I havent seen the other side....

    May bad..
     
  8. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Joe Sierko the GM for the City Islanders replied to my email, and he gave me a pretty detailed and lengthy email. Nice to know that he/they are willing to take time to anwser questions about the club to fans. d

    Here is some of what he replied to:

    On the 07 season:

    "The Islanders are preparing for our fourth season of play in the USL's Second Division and we are extremely pleased with the progression of the team to date. To be frank, we are disappointed with our on-field results from the 2006 season and are focused on improvement in that area. While we were just one win away from qualifying for the playoffs for the the third straight season, we got off to a slow start and didn't qualify for the U.S. Open Cup and we never seemed to play as a unified team with common goals. It's a difficult thing to get a handle on throughout the season as you believe things will turn around with the next match. As a young team, we learned some valuable lessons. We will continue to look for players who want to work hard, play to their potential, and play as a team. The "Whatever It Takes" attitude, if you will.

    Our 2007 on-field goals for the season are to:

    - qualify for the U.S. Open Cup
    - be the USL2 team to advance the furthest in the Cup Competition
    - win the USL2 regular season
    - win the USL2 Championship"

    About the owners and full time employee's with the club:

    Our team is owned by an ownership group consisting of Eric Pettis, Chris Barker, and Chuck Fox who are partners in other business ventures including Comprehensive Financial Associates and PA Pension Planners. Their bios are available on our website www.cityislanders.com. The City Islanders are the result of meetings to continue professional soccer in Central PA with the demise of the Harrisburg Heat (MISL). Initial discussions were to create a year-round operation with both an indoor and outdoor squad but the ultimate decision was to join the USL and then then the decision was to join the USL2 (Pro Soccer League). Our full-time staff consists of myself (GM), Kierstin Rowe (Assistant GM), Bill Becher (Head Coach), Derek Potteiger (Academy Director) but we receive a tremendous ammount of support from the local community with volunteers and interns.

    On the facility, City Island:

    We play all home matches at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island which is located in the middle of the Susquehanna River in downtown Harrisburg. The venue is part of the Harrisburg Parks System and information is available at http://www.harrisburgcity.com/parksRec/. The venue seats 2,000 (bleachers) and another 200 on a deck area (Socceritaville) that overlooks the South Goal Line. In addition, there are plenty of great viewing spots throughout the stadium in our "Bring Your Own Chair (BYOC)" areas. We were pleased to host over 4,000 fans for an exhibition match against DC United in 2005. Our average attendance last season was 1,781 with three regular season sell-outs. We also hosted DC United at a local high school in front of over 5,000 fans. We are very pleased with these numbers but our our goal is to sell-out every match...making improvements and expansion of the venue a necessity not just a desire.

    On the club's financial standpoint:

    Much of our off-field success can be attributed to those professional teams that have helped to pave the way and create a tradition of quality soccer in the region. The Hershey Impact (indoor), Harrisburg Heat (indoor) and Hershey Wildcats (outdoor A-League) have all been beneficial to our development. Financially, we are way beyond our initial projections due to our acceptance by fans and business partners. Our youth academy has played a big part of this development also with about 400 players (U10-U20) representing over 55 area Clubs participating in the USL Super Y League under our name. In addition, we have numerous instructional programs including indoor sessions and Summer Camps throughout the year. We have truly become a year-round endeavor.

    We have a distinct business model that we strictly adhere to and will continue to do so...our ownership group is neither interested in reaping profits or making ongoing investments (hobby) but in building a quality organization that can continuously grow and improve while having a significant impact on the community. Our goal is to place ourself in both a competitive and financial position to support and ultimately participate in a system of promotion and relegation within the United Soccer Leagues professional divisions.

    I was actually surprised that he wrote with so much detail....Again I think its great that he is willing share those thoughts with the clubs fans.

    Hope this was helpful....Anyone planning on making any City Islanders games?
     
  9. ButlerBob

    ButlerBob Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 13, 2001
    Evanston, IL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Here's some news about their training camp and pre season schedule. As usual they are playing some colleges. But they also have something listed as a pre season tournament with Penn State, Crystal Palace Baltimore and Towson State. It seems like most of their pre season games are at the Hershey Park Stadium.

    http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3433734
     
  10. 24K Goald

    24K Goald New Member

    Oct 8, 2006
    I heard they are having open tryouts, any word on how many people they have invited to tryout for the team. Hopefully they can maybe find a good player in there somewhere
     
  11. wolf2018

    wolf2018 New Member

    Dec 7, 2006
    looks like they may have found a couple of good players at tryouts... a kid from Furman and a kid from Vandy... both are origianlly from Florida and may also play for the Orlando Sharks in the MISL next year... hopefully they can get them signed...
     
  12. wolf2018

    wolf2018 New Member

    Dec 7, 2006
    just a little update... they started pre-season this week and have 30 something guys in camp... mostly young college guys, but a trio from Miami and some others trying to break into a roster... looks pretty good so far and should have a solid team... they are still waiting for more guys to come in next week after their trials with Div. 1 teams... should gradually get better through the the start of the season...
     
  13. ButlerBob

    ButlerBob Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 13, 2001
    Evanston, IL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Are there any players from last year currently playing indoors? Also, where did they start camp at? Were they indoors. I was in the area over the weekend and they had received 5 - 6 inches of snow.
     
  14. wolf2018

    wolf2018 New Member

    Dec 7, 2006
    they are playing outside, they cleared the field at In the Net... the only player from last year playing indoors is Kern, goalie at Baltimore, i believe he is 3rd string... i heard they also signed Lookingland from Baltimore...
     
  15. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States


    The City Islanders play St. Francis University tonight in Hershey.
     
  16. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    The City Islanders beat St. Francis University (PA) 1-0 Wednesday night. Trialist Brandon Lespron scored the lone goal in the 85th minute.



    http://www.cityislanders.com/
     
  17. mj23drj

    mj23drj New Member

    Sep 27, 2003
    Harrisburg
    Just read that Dustin Bixler got signed to play for USL-1 Vancouver, playing for Carlisle native Bob Lilley. Sorry to see him go, but happy to see him moving up in level of play and financials.----Does anyone know who else played for the City Isles Wed. night that played for them last year, other than the guys already listed on the roster on their website??
     
  18. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    According to the article on the City Islanders website the only player from last season that played against SFU was GK Sam Bishop.
     
  19. mj23drj

    mj23drj New Member

    Sep 27, 2003
    Harrisburg

    Derek Potteiger is now in Cleveland, won't be playing for the HCI.
     
  20. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Really? Anything soccer related, I hope he is still involved. Possible with the new USLD2 club?
     
  21. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I just read on the USLfans site that former Riverhound Anthony Calvano will sign and be playing with the City Islanders.

    Quality outside back, I watched him play at PSU for a couple of yrs and then with the Hounds.
     
  22. mj23drj

    mj23drj New Member

    Sep 27, 2003
    Harrisburg

    Yes, from what I understand. also, I agree about Calvano. He looked good at the friendly with Lehigh on Saturday. They played him at CD, but I think he will be an outside back when the season starts.
     
  23. Choupana

    Choupana New Member

    Apr 1, 2007
    Surpreendente e já controversa a jogada de marketing protagonizada pelos responsáveis do Harrisburg City Islanders, formação que integra United Soccer Leagues (USL-2) e que encontrou uma forma de utilizar a imagem do internacional inglês David Beckham, que no Verão integra os quadros do Los Angeles Galaxy, da MLS, colocando à venda ingressos para um eventual jogo entre as duas equipas.

    http://janeladecontraste.blogspot.com/2007/04/city-islanders-utilizam-imagem-de.html
     
  24. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Derek Pottieger has left the City Islanders and will be moving to Cleveland and will "more than likely" be playing with CCS.

    David Schofield will be named the Academy Director for the City Islanders.

    Also former PSU and Reading Rage player Brian Devlin is in camp with the Islanders along with Calvano.

    Thats all I have for now.
     
  25. totalfootball9

    Feb 27, 2007
    Central PA
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

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