MATCH INFORMATION
Harrisburg City Islanders (5-8-4) vs Richmond Kickers (2-9-6)
2017 USL Regular Season
DATE: Saturday, July 15, 2017
KICKOFF: 7:00 p.m.
STADIUM: FNB Field
ALL-TIME SERIES: 19-5-9
AT HARRISBURG: 8-3-3
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466)
ONLINE: USL Match Center
HASHTAG: #HARvRIC
TWITTER: @RichmondKickers and @city_islanders
RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, July 14, 2017) – The Richmond Kickers (2-9-6) are back on the road Saturday night, as they travel to take on long-time rivals Harrisburg City Islanders (5-8-4) at FNB Field for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. The match will be available on WTVR CBS 6.3 sub channel (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466) and on the USL Match Center.
A rivalry that spans over a decade, the Kickers hold the advantage in the series with a record of 19-5-9. Harrisburg has made two trips to City Stadium in 2017, first was a 1-0 win for Richmond in the opening match of the season. Conor Shanosky headed home a free kick from Fred Owusu Sekyere for the first goal of the 2017 season for Richmond. The second meeting between the two clubs produced a 0-0 draw May 13 in Richmond as Matt Turner recorded his first shutout of the season, making two saves.
The Kickers come into Saturday’s match after falling to FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium last Sunday. Djiby Fall put the home side up in the third minute of the match as he slipped past the Kickers backline when Kenney Walker played a ball over the top. Richmond were reduced to 10-men in the 87th minute when Fred Owusu Sekyere was issued a straight red card for violent conduct. Cincinnati doubled their lead in the 90th minute after Aodhan Quinn converted a retaken penalty kick after a handball was called in the Richmond box. Richmond remains winless on the road in 2017, and has gone 12 matches without a win this season.
Harrisburg will have quick turnaround for Saturday, following a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls II Wednesday night. James Thomas scored his first goal of the season in the 20th minute, putting away a deflected shot by Cardel Benbow. Paul Wilson doubled the City Islanders lead in the 41st minute, as Ropapa Mensah slotted a ball through the NYRBII defense to Wilson. Wilson now leads the City Islanders in scoring with three goals in 2017.
The Kickers return to City Stadium Wednesday, July 19 as they host Swansea City AFC from the Premier League in an international friendly presented by Virginia Credit Union. The biggest party of the Summer starts at 5:30 p.m. with live music by the Hit List, legendary RVA food trucks and over 20 craft beers on tap. Then, the Kickers take on Swansea City at 7:30 p.m. Richmond returns to USL action the following Saturday, July 22 as they host Bethlehem Steel FC at City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7pm and it can be viewed live on the USL Match Center. Tickets are on sale now for both matches at www.richmondkickers.com.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Richmond: Newly signed midfielder Oscar Umar (#17) will be available for Saturday’s match at Harrisburg. The Right to Dream Academy alum made 74 appearances over four years at Villanova University. Making his first start and appearance for Richmond, midfielder Brandon Eaton (#35) played 90 minutes in the 0-2 loss at FC Cincinnati. Eaton spent three years at Virginia Commonwealth University, making 59 appearances for the Rams and scoring two goals in his senior season. Midfielder Paddy McCann (#16) made his first start last Saturday since starting on the road at the Charleston Battery June 10, his seventh appearance and sixth start since joining the Kickers this past offseason. McCann played four seasons at Holy Cross before heading to a stint in Europe, most notably with Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers in Ireland.
Harrisburg: Leading the City Islanders in scoring with 3 goals, midfielder Paul Wilson (#10), is in his second season with Harrisburg. The Jamaican has seen time with the U17, U20 and U23 rosters, along with signing with Portmore United before signing with Harrisburg. Brazilian midfielder Pedro Ribeiro (#30) is in his second stint with Harrisburg, after being loaned to the City Islanders from the Philadelphia Union in 2014. The Coastal Carolina product joined Orlando City SC for their inaugural season in MLS scoring two goals in 21 appearances before joining the City Islanders at the start of the 2017 season. Forward Aaron Wheeler (#11) has two goals in 11 appearances in his second season with the City Islanders. Before joining Harrisburg, Wheeler made 10 appearances from former USL side Wilmington Hammerheads FC.
MEDIA RESOURCES
TEAM WEBSITES: www.richmondkickers.com and CityIslanders.com
USL (LEAGUE) WEBSITE: USLSoccer.com
GAME NOTES: #HARvRIC Notes
PHOTOS (PREGAME USE): #HARvRIC Photos (additional photos available upon request)
