FYI- I have now posted updates on my blog concerning the open tryout and the upcoming pre-season and training camp.

The team report from the tryout is posted as well as info, stats, and even a video of the standout players from tryouts who are now invited to training camp.

The regular season is almost here!!!!

-Derek
Upper 90 City Islanders blog
http://blog.pennlive.com/upper90/

Added a few more entries concerning news and even a few photos and videos from the pre-season match vs. Bucknell.

-Derek

All this reporting is awesome. Keep it up.

so... how did the Whinos friendly go last Friday ?

I was not able to attend the match but from what I was told, it was a pretty exciting game. The Rhinos were awarded a PK early in the game and capitalized making it 1-0. Then they would again get a goal off of another PK!

Harrisburg drew with'in one making 2-1 and even had a shot at tying the game on...... you guessed it, a PK!!!!!! They missed the chance, got the rebound and hit the post! The match ended 2-1 Rhinos. I am not sure what rosters were played but I think Rochester played many regulars/starters and I know Harrisburg did.

-Derek

Here is the match report from the HCI press release:

The City Islanders traveled to Athens, PA on Friday night to take on the Rochester Rhinos of the USL first division. The Rhinos won 2-1 despite a valiant effort from the Islanders. Rochester controlled the tempo of the game early, keeping possession, and swinging the ball around the back. The Rhinos sent a ball in the box to Matthew Delicate, and as Nate Baker challenged for the ball, the two got tangled up, and the referee award the Rhinos a penalty kick. Hamed Diallo placed the ball perfectly into the side netting to Danny Cepero's right to give the Rhinos a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute. Only six minutes later Rochester's Steve Guppy played a harmless ball into the Islanders box which glanced off defender Nigel Marples, the referee once again pointed to the spot claiming a hand ball against Marples. Diallo once again scored the penalty; this time going high to Cepero's left. The play began to even out as the half wore on, and the Islanders were looking the more dangerous of the two sides. Almir Barbosa just missed getting on the end of a Steve Fisher service, but the two would make amends a few minutes later. Barbosa was sent through on the right side, and hit a good low shot that Rhino keeper Tim Melia saved, but the rebound came out, and Fisher knocked it in to pull the Islanders back to within a goal at 2-1 in first half stoppage time.


The Islanders came out strong in the second half looking to even the score. Just a few minutes into the half Brian Ombiji got pulled down from behind inside the box, and a penalty was awarded. Mo Oduor stepped up to take the shot, but he struck it off the post, and Adam Clay just missed putting in the rebound. The Islanders moved the ball well in the second half and were able to get behind the Rhinos defense and create some chances. They continued to press and their best opportunity came in the 70th minute when Jason Pelletier beat his defender and served a great cross that Fisher headed just over the top. "This was by far our best performance in the preseason", said Head Coach Bill Becher. "We looked very good for long periods of the game; we look forward to our home opener next Saturday at City Island."

thanks was just wondering how that all worked out

I posted the complete roster for the start of 2008 on the blog as well as some details on the new guys. Saturday night can't come fast enough!

-Derek