Harrisburg City Islanders
Encyclopedia
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
, United States
. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
.
The team plays its home games at the Skyline Sports Complex
, located on Harrisburg's City Island
, where they have played since 2004. The team's colors are tropical blue, navy blue, and white. Their current head coach is Bill Becher.
The City Islanders also field a team in the USL’s Super-20 League
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age, operated by the United Soccer Leagues
.
On March 1, 2010, the City Islanders entered into an agreement to become the official USL-2 affiliate club of Major League Soccer
's Philadelphia Union.
. The City Islanders improved on this showing in their second year, as they finished third in the league with a 12-3-5 record, but were eliminated from the playoffs by the eventual champions, the Charlotte Eagles
.
In 2005, Bill Becher, the Harrisburg coach, was named USL-2 Coach of the Year, while player Chad Severs
was named Rookie of the Year, before moving on to the Rochester Raging Rhinos
.
In 2007, the Islanders were the USL Second Division Champions. They also defeated Major League Soccer
team D.C. United
1-0 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
to reach the quarterfinals, where they subsequently lost to the New England Revolution
. In 2009, they again defeated an MLS
team to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup
, this time defeating the New England Revolution
before losing to D.C. United
. The Islanders repeated the feat in 2010, knocking off Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
round of 16.
(supporters of the Philadelphia Union) also provide support.
- Goalkeeper Coach
Danny Cepero
Tomer Chencinski
John DiRaimondo
Tom Heinemann Jack McInerney
Tino Nuñez
Yuki Stalph
Anthony Peters
Shea Salinas
Ty Shipalane
Toni Ståhl
Sheanon Williams
Nick Zimmerman
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
.
The team plays its home games at the Skyline Sports Complex
Skyline Sports Complex
Skyline Sports Complex is a sports complex/stadium on City Island, along the Susquehanna River, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.The original structure was built in 1987 and is adjacent to Metro Bank Park....
, located on Harrisburg's City Island
City Island (Pennsylvania)
City Island is a mile-long island in the Susquehanna River between Harrisburg and Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is used mainly for leisure and sports activities...
, where they have played since 2004. The team's colors are tropical blue, navy blue, and white. Their current head coach is Bill Becher.
The City Islanders also field a team in the USL’s Super-20 League
Super-20 League
The United Soccer Leagues Super-20 League is an American-Canadian soccer league for players 17 to 20 years of age. Introduced in 2006 it took the place of the U-19 age bracket in the Super Y-League....
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age, operated by the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
.
On March 1, 2010, the City Islanders entered into an agreement to become the official USL-2 affiliate club of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's Philadelphia Union.
History
The City Islanders were an immediate success in the second division, finishing fifth in their inaugural season, and qualifying for the playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Pittsburgh RiverhoundsPittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. The City Islanders improved on this showing in their second year, as they finished third in the league with a 12-3-5 record, but were eliminated from the playoffs by the eventual champions, the Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
In 2005, Bill Becher, the Harrisburg coach, was named USL-2 Coach of the Year, while player Chad Severs
Chad Severs
Chad Severs is an American soccer player who currently plays for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
was named Rookie of the Year, before moving on to the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
.
In 2007, the Islanders were the USL Second Division Champions. They also defeated Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
team D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
1-0 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
to reach the quarterfinals, where they subsequently lost to the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. In 2009, they again defeated an MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
team to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
, this time defeating the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
before losing to D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
. The Islanders repeated the feat in 2010, knocking off Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
round of 16.
Club culture
The Harrisburg City Islanders have two of their own supporters groups - the City Island Hecklers (or CI Hecklers) and the Sons of the Susquehanna (or SoS). The CI Hecklers often position themselves behind one goal while the Sons of the Susquehanna position themselves behind the other. In addition to these two, members of the Sons of BenSons of Ben (MLS supporters association)
The Sons of Ben is an independent supporters group for Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. The group was created in January 2007 by soccer fans from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and its greater metropolitan area, using such existing Major League Soccer fan clubs as the Screaming Eagles, La...
(supporters of the Philadelphia Union) also provide support.
Current roster
As of July 31, 2011.Staff
Bill Becher - Head Coach Steve Widdowson - Assistant Coach Dave KernDave Kern
Dave Kern is an American soccer player who last played for the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division, and for Baltimore Blast in the Major Indoor Soccer League.-College:...
- Goalkeeper Coach
- vacant - General Manager
Notable former players
- See also: All-time Harrisburg City Islanders rosterAll-time Harrisburg City Islanders rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for Harrisburg City Islanders since the team's first season in USL in 2004...
Danny Cepero
Danny Cepero
Danny Cepero is a former American soccer player.-College:Cepero played four years of college soccer at the University of Pennsylvania, where he captained the squad, set Penn's all-time career record for shutouts, and was named to the All-Ivy team in his senior year.-Professional:Cepero was drafted...
Tomer Chencinski
Tomer Chencinski
Tomer Chencinski is an Israeli-born Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Vaasan Palloseura in the Finnish Premier Division Veikkausliiga.-College:...
John DiRaimondo
John DiRaimondo
John DiRaimondo is an American soccer player currently without a club.-Youth:DiRaimondo went through an accelerated high school program at St. Louis University High that allowed him to graduate a year early alongside fellow soccer player and childhood friend Brian Grazier...
Tom Heinemann Jack McInerney
Jack McInerney
John "Jack" McInerney is an American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-Youth:...
Tino Nuñez
Tino Nuñez
Agustin "Tino" Nuñez is an American soccer player.-Youth and College:Nuñez was a four year letter-winner at Millikan High School in Long Beach, California. With Nuñez on the squad, Millikan ran to four consecutive Moore League Championships as well as one CIF Championship in Nuñez's junior year...
Yuki Stalph
Yuki Stalph
Yuki Stalph is a German footballer of Japanese descent currently playing for JEF Reserves.Stalph previously played for Hekari United FC and before that he started for the SC Idar-Oberstein and Harrisburg City Islanders.-External links:**...
Anthony Peters
Anthony Peters
Anthony Peters is an American soccer player who currently plays for Baton Rouge Capitals in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and college:...
Shea Salinas
Shea Salinas
Robert O'Shea "Shea" Salinas is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Ty Shipalane
Ty Shipalane
Tiyiselani "Ty" Shipalane is a South African footballer who last played for Carolina RailHawks in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College:...
Toni Ståhl
Toni Ståhl
Toni Ståhl is a Finnish footballer currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-Early career in Finland:...
Sheanon Williams
Sheanon Williams
Sheanon Williams is an American soccer player, currently playing for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Nick Zimmerman
Nick Zimmerman
Nick Zimmerman is an American soccer player currently playing for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur :...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | USL Pro Soccer League | 2nd, Atlantic | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify | 1,510 |
| 2005 | 3 | USL Second Division | 3rd | Semifinals | Did not qualify | 1,604 |
| 2006 | 3 | USL Second Division | 7th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 1,781 |
| 2007 | 3 | USL Second Division | 3rd | Champions | Quarterfinals | 1,724 |
| 2008 | 3 | USL Second Division | 5th | Quarterfinals | 2nd Round | 1,684 |
| 2009 | 3 | USL Second Division | 3rd | Semifinals | Quarterfinals | 1,857 |
| 2010 | 3 | USL Second Division | 5th | Did not qualify | Quarterfinals | 1,666 |
| 2011 | 3 | USL Pro | 2nd, National | Finalist | 2nd Round | 1,404 |