(Harrisburg, PA, April 14, 2005) – The Harrisburg City Islanders will kick off their 2005 regular season this Saturday, April 16, on the road against the expansion Cincinnati Kings. Kickoff at the Xavier University Soccer Complex is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s match is a U.S. Open Cup Qualifier for both teams.
The City Islanders hope to replicate their performance in 2004’s season opener, a 5-2 win over the Northern Virginia Royals on April 17. Five different players scored for Harrisburg in that game.
Fresh off a 1-3-1 preseason performance, the City Islanders rounded out their 21-man roster on Thursday with the signings of local products Dustin Bixler and Adam Clay, midfielder Henry Mensah, and forward Chad Severs. Those four players will be eligible this Saturday, but Harrisburg will be without the services of team captain Derek Potteiger (illness) and midfielders Steve Custer (ankle) and Steve Fisher (knee).
Like the expansion City Islanders, the Cincinnati Kings have put together a roster featuring a mix of talented youth and proven veterans. Two—midfielder George Kithas and defender Tiest Sondaal—played for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds team that knocked the City Islanders out of the playoffs in 2004. Sondaal was a 2004 All-League First Team selection. Others, such as midfielder Abdul Lubega (Wilmington Hammerheads) and defender Derek Smith (Virginia Beach Mariners), come from successful First or Second Division programs.
The Kings, coached by Jon Pickup, closed out their preseason schedule on April 13 with a tight 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer) in front of a sellout crowd at Xavier University.
Harrisburg’s home opener is set for Saturday, April 23, at 7:05 p.m. versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Season and group tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices remain the same as a season ago, with General Admission, Reserved, and Club Paradise packages available from $100 - $250 for adults and starting at just $50 for youth. Tickets are available by calling 717-441-GOAL and at www.cityislanders.com.
--- CITY ISLANDERS ---
