Matches scheduled for August 29 and 31 at 7 p.m.
Harrisburg, PA (July 15, 2015) – The Harrisburg City Islanders are excited to announce a match against FC Montreal and a friendly against exclusive MLS affiliate, the Philadelphia Union, on August 29 and August 31 set to be played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Clipper Magazine Stadium is the official home of the Lancaster Barnstorms conveniently located 40 miles outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The stadium holds up to 7,500 seats including club seating, luxury boxes, picnic seating, and lawn access.
This will be the Islanders second trip to Clipper Magazine Stadium, the first being in 2009 when the team hosted Crystal Palace F.C. of the Football League Championship in front of 5,099 fans.
“We are very excited to bring our annual friendly with the Union to Lancaster and the Barnstormer’s Stadium,” said Harrisburg City Islanders Owner Eric Pettis. “This is a wonderful opportunity to expose the high quality soccer that the USL performs at these days with our MLS Affiliate and the City Lancaster. We had such a great experience with the Barnstormers hosting our international friendly with Crystal Palace a few years back that we felt compelled to share more professional soccer with a very strong soccer community in Lancaster. This is going to be a great event.”
As you are aware, the Islanders have recently taken the next step in stadium development by submitting a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Grant for the amount of $5 million dollars. The organization hopes that once approved, the grant will initiate the development and construction of a multi-purpose stadium that will replace the current facilities at Skyline Sports Complex.
Once approved, construction would begin March 2016 and the Islanders would be forced to play at another facility until complete. Due to this foreseen conflict the Islanders are in search of a temporary alternative venue for our home matches next season. Due to Clipper Magazine’s superb facilities, proximity and convenient location these matches will serve as a trial run for a possible temporary home for your Harrisburg City Islanders.
“This annual match with our USL affiliate is really a great opportunity for both clubs involved and is one we really appreciate each year,” Union CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz said. “It’s an opportunity for young stars in a growing league to showcase their skills against some of the best players this country has to offer, and they get to do so in front of our technical staff who truly values this developmental system. We’re looking forward to another great match with Harrisburg and know we’ll be seeing some of these players at the next level real soon.”
Making a return home to Lancaster will be the Philadelphia Union’s Andrew Wenger, a former Warwick High School standout and National High School Player of the Year. The 24-year-old Wenger is second on the Union in minutes played this season in his first full year with the Philadelphia club. The 2011 Hermann Trophy winner as the nation’s top collegiate soccer player scored six goals and recorded four assists for the Union last season. In addition to, Jimmy McLaughlin of Great Valley and former City Islanders star Sheanon Williams.
In addition to the local players on the Union, the Harrisburg City Islanders roster features several area natives as well. Garret Pettis, a forward from Lower Dauphin High School, Danny DiPrima of Dillsburg, and former Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Brett Jankouskas of Palmyra.
As season ticket holders your privileges at Skyline Sports Complex will be upheld at Clipper Magazine Stadium for these matches. That includes priority seating and beverage privileges for August 29 vs. FC Montreal and priority seating for August 31 vs. Philadelphia Union.
An exclusive presale for Harrisburg City Islanders and Lancaster Barnstormers Season Ticket Holders with the option to purchase additional tickets before releasing to the general public will begin Thursday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. and end Sunday, July 19 at 5:00 p.m.
General Admission tickets for both games will go on sale, Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 AM and will be available through the Two Dudes Box Office at Clipper Magazine Stadium, through www.lancasterbarnstormers.com and by calling 717-509-HITS.
All seats for these special events will be general admission. The cost will be $15 for the exhibition against the Union and $12 for the Saturday night game against Montreal. A combo ticket that includes a ticket to both matches is also available for purchase at the discounted price of $22. Group bookings for specialty areas, including the picnic tents and the upper level suites can be purchased by calling the Barnstormers sales office at 717-509-HITS.
Both games will start at 7:00 PM. Gates will open at 5:30 PM.
We hope that you, our valued fan, understand our situation and will continue to support us as we attempt to provide you with the best product and experience possible.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these upcoming matches please send them to media@cityislanders.com. We greatly value your suggestions and opinions!
About the Harrisburg City Islanders
The Harrisburg City Islanders are celebrating the 12th Season in Central PA as professional soccer team in the USL with an overall record of 125-94-59. The Islanders compete in the USL. The League represents the highest level of competition in the United States and Canada outside of Major League Soccer (MLS). The City Islanders home stadium is Skyline Sports Complex, City Island, and Harrisburg. Highlights throughout the years include: 2014 USL Championship Finalist, 2011 National League Champions, 2011 USL Championship Finalist, Won 2007 USL-2 League Title, in 2012 defeated two Major League Soccer (MLS) teams: NY Red Bulls and New England Revolution in the 2012 US Open Cup. In 2009 the Islanders played Crystal Palace London at Clipper Magazine Stadium in front of 7,000 fans. The team has made it to the playoffs nine out of 11 years. Harrisburg is exclusive affiliate partner of the MLS Philadelphia Union. For more information about the Harrisburg City Islanders visit www.cityislanders.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball:
The Atlicantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. is the highest level of professional baseball, other than the Major Leagues. Atlantic League players are experienced professionals, having progressed through the development levels (Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A) and are all “Major League Ready,” with approximately 40% of Atlantic League players having Major League service time. Since the League’s inception in 1998, nearly 30 million fans have attended an Atlantic League game in one of the League’s state of the art ballparks. The Atlantic League continues to be the only professional baseball league in an active expansion mode. Over the next few years the League plans to expand from eight to twelve teams, which will join the existing teams in the major metropolitan markets of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Houston.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Molly Gilroy
Marketing and Communications Manager
717-441-4625