Confessions of a Soccer Nobody: Despite Losses, City Islanders Have Much to Play For
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Major League Soccer opted not to compete with the World Cup this summer, taking a hiatus for a couple of weeks while the globe turns its attention to South Africa. The Harrisburg City Islanders probably wish the USL followed suit because this team desperately needs an opportunity to regroup and right itself. Harrisburg (1-6-4, 7 points) lost yet another league match on Saturday, 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers at home (5-3-3, 18 points). Firmly entrenched at the bottom of the USL-2 standings, the City Islanders have scored the fewest goals in league play (10) while surrendering the most (18). Despite this woeful record, Harrisburg has not been outclassed by league opponents, in fact the team seems to carry the run of play and win the battle of possession quite frequently. But defensive breakdowns seem to come at the worst possible time and the City Islanders have yet to find a reliable goal-scorer.
The City Islanders remain alive and well in the U.S. Open Cup (Photo: USL Soccer)
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Harrisburg’s offseason is the club’s decision not to re-sign Chad Severs. Severs is the City Islanders’ all-time leading goal-scorer and was an all-star last season. He did seem to run out of gas toward the end of 2009—as did the entire team—but he has played well for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2010, registering two goals and two assists. His ability to hold the ball was often crucial for the overlapping runs of Tiyi Shipalane last season, and he seemed to settle things down offensively. The void left by his absence has become a recurrent theme in this blog because Harrisburg’s young attackers have failed to produce goals. Strikers J.T. Noone and Sheanon Williams have shown promise, but perhaps too much was expected of these first-year players. Ask D.C. United how important an experienced forward like Jaime Moreno is, while Brian McBride was a stalwart for the United States and his various club teams. Noone might well become a similar player, but the City Islanders should have balanced youth with experience in 2010. Nick Zimmerman has been a tremendous player for the club, scoring two goals in two matches; unfortunately he’s appeared only twice on loan from the Philadelphia Union. So where do the City Islanders look for answers up front?
It might be too late to salvage the USL-2 season, but Harrisburg should not abandon its youth movement now. The club opted to sign many youngsters and they have no choice but to play them and hope they develop individually and collectively. This team still has a mathematical shot at the playoffs—they trail the final slot by seven points with nine matches remaining—and no fan wants to see their team quit, yet Harrisburg should focus on two massive games on their calendar: June 22 against the Long Island Rough Riders and July 27 against the Philadelphia Union. On paper, a match against Long Island, a PDL side, shouldn’t seem so important. But it’s an U.S. Open Cup second round fixture, and in addition to being a single elimination game, the City Islanders would host the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer if they win. USL teams don’t get to play MLS clubs too frequently, and even rarer is an opportunity to host them in a competitive setting. If Harrisburg can knock off Long Island, it would guarantee that City Island would be packed with fans and revenue. Plus, with little left to play for in the USL-2 season, the Open Cup should become the highest priority.
J.T. Noone has shown promise this season
The July 27 tilt against Philadelphia might just be an exhibition, but this match is important for City Islanders players hoping to reach the next level. Considering the Union are the MLS affiliate of Harrisburg, this game might be an audition for those seeking a late season call-up or invitation to next year’s preseason camp. Tiyi Shipalane was signed by D.C. United last season after competing against them in the Open Cup, and similar opportunities could exist for players like Noone and Williams who are already on the Union’s radar. This should be a boon economically for the Harrisburg franchise and reward for fans who have suffered throughout this woeful season. Seeing MLS clubs on City Island should be a treat for all involved, and with a win against Long Island, we’ll get to see both New York and Philadelphia. The USL-2 season might be a lost cause, but the City Islanders still have much to play for.
Throw-Ins
Major League Soccer opted not to compete with the World Cup this summer, taking a hiatus for a couple of weeks while the globe turns its attention to South Africa. The Harrisburg City Islanders probably wish the USL followed suit because this team desperately needs an opportunity to regroup and right itself. Harrisburg (1-6-4, 7 points) lost yet another league match on Saturday, 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers at home (5-3-3, 18 points). Firmly entrenched at the bottom of the USL-2 standings, the City Islanders have scored the fewest goals in league play (10) while surrendering the most (18). Despite this woeful record, Harrisburg has not been outclassed by league opponents, in fact the team seems to carry the run of play and win the battle of possession quite frequently. But defensive breakdowns seem to come at the worst possible time and the City Islanders have yet to find a reliable goal-scorer.
The City Islanders remain alive and well in the U.S. Open Cup (Photo: USL Soccer)
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Harrisburg’s offseason is the club’s decision not to re-sign Chad Severs. Severs is the City Islanders’ all-time leading goal-scorer and was an all-star last season. He did seem to run out of gas toward the end of 2009—as did the entire team—but he has played well for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2010, registering two goals and two assists. His ability to hold the ball was often crucial for the overlapping runs of Tiyi Shipalane last season, and he seemed to settle things down offensively. The void left by his absence has become a recurrent theme in this blog because Harrisburg’s young attackers have failed to produce goals. Strikers J.T. Noone and Sheanon Williams have shown promise, but perhaps too much was expected of these first-year players. Ask D.C. United how important an experienced forward like Jaime Moreno is, while Brian McBride was a stalwart for the United States and his various club teams. Noone might well become a similar player, but the City Islanders should have balanced youth with experience in 2010. Nick Zimmerman has been a tremendous player for the club, scoring two goals in two matches; unfortunately he’s appeared only twice on loan from the Philadelphia Union. So where do the City Islanders look for answers up front?
It might be too late to salvage the USL-2 season, but Harrisburg should not abandon its youth movement now. The club opted to sign many youngsters and they have no choice but to play them and hope they develop individually and collectively. This team still has a mathematical shot at the playoffs—they trail the final slot by seven points with nine matches remaining—and no fan wants to see their team quit, yet Harrisburg should focus on two massive games on their calendar: June 22 against the Long Island Rough Riders and July 27 against the Philadelphia Union. On paper, a match against Long Island, a PDL side, shouldn’t seem so important. But it’s an U.S. Open Cup second round fixture, and in addition to being a single elimination game, the City Islanders would host the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer if they win. USL teams don’t get to play MLS clubs too frequently, and even rarer is an opportunity to host them in a competitive setting. If Harrisburg can knock off Long Island, it would guarantee that City Island would be packed with fans and revenue. Plus, with little left to play for in the USL-2 season, the Open Cup should become the highest priority.
J.T. Noone has shown promise this season
The July 27 tilt against Philadelphia might just be an exhibition, but this match is important for City Islanders players hoping to reach the next level. Considering the Union are the MLS affiliate of Harrisburg, this game might be an audition for those seeking a late season call-up or invitation to next year’s preseason camp. Tiyi Shipalane was signed by D.C. United last season after competing against them in the Open Cup, and similar opportunities could exist for players like Noone and Williams who are already on the Union’s radar. This should be a boon economically for the Harrisburg franchise and reward for fans who have suffered throughout this woeful season. Seeing MLS clubs on City Island should be a treat for all involved, and with a win against Long Island, we’ll get to see both New York and Philadelphia. The USL-2 season might be a lost cause, but the City Islanders still have much to play for.
Throw-Ins
- The City Islanders advanced to the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup by virtue of their 4-2 overtime win over the Brooklyn Italians of the NPSL. Brooklyn twice took leads against Harrisburg, and both times the home team battled back. Nate Jafta scored a first-half equalizer, and it took a late Geoff Bloes strike to send the match to overtime. Noone scored the eventual match-winner while Dominic Oppong added the insurance goal.
- Reading United suffered a crueler fate in the Open Cup as they fell 2-1 in overtime to Real Maryland of the USL-2. Eric Schoenle gave Reading the lead early in the second half, but ultimately the Monarchs proved too much and advanced in the tournament. The loss came on the heels of their first league loss, suffered just two days earlier against the Ironbound Express. Resting several players for the Open Cup, Reading lost to the Express 2-0, who temporarily passed them in the standings.
- Reading United rebounded from their first two losses of 2010 by stomping the West Virginia Chaos 3-0 on Saturday night. With the win, Reading (7-1-1, 22 points) returned to the top of the PDL Mid-Atlantic Division. They next return to league action on June 25, hosting Ocean City F.C. at Don Thomas Stadium, but first they host the Philadelphia Union in a friendly match on June 23.
Posted by Soccer Nobody at 6/21/2010 1:00 PM 
Categories: Confessions of a Soccer Nobody
Tags: Sheanon Williams J.T. Noone Nick Zimmerman U.S. Open Cup Chad Severs Philadelphia Union Nate Jafta Reading United Harrisburg City Islanders New York Red Bulls Geoff Bloes Eric Schoenle Long Island Rough Riders
Categories: Confessions of a Soccer Nobody
Tags: Sheanon Williams J.T. Noone Nick Zimmerman U.S. Open Cup Chad Severs Philadelphia Union Nate Jafta Reading United Harrisburg City Islanders New York Red Bulls Geoff Bloes Eric Schoenle Long Island Rough Riders
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