6/30/09
| Game Preview: Revolution vs. City Islanders |
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The Revolution begins play in the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Harrisburg City Islanders – currently the top team in USL-2 – in a third-round match on Tuesday night at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Conn.
| Revolution Checkers Scarf |
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New England Revolution vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Veterans Stadium (New Britain, Conn.)
7 p.m. ET
Web Radio: www.revolutionsoccer.net
OVERVIEW
The New England Revolution transitions to another tournament on Tuesday evening, as the club faces off against the Harrisburg City Islanders in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in New Britain, Conn.
The Revs are entering the U.S. Open Cup along with seven other MLS teams in the third round, while the City Islanders have participated since the first round of the tournament on June 9. That evening, the City Islanders defeated Premier Development League opponent the Reading Rage, 4-1. In the second round on June 16, the City Islanders prevailed in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw with fellow USL-2 club the Western Mass Pioneers.
Through 12 games, the Revs sport a 4-4-4 record in the MLS regular season and finished the group stage of SuperLiga 2009 with a 2-0-1 record, giving them a 6-4-5 record across all competitions in 2009. The City Islanders in 2009 have a 7-3-2 record in USL-2, and an 8-3-3 mark including 2009 Open Cup results. In the league tables, the Revs are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while the City Islanders sit in first place atop the USL-2 standings.
Harrisburg and New England have played once before, in the quarterfinals of the 2007 U.S. Open Cup. New England came away with the victory by a score of 2-1, and two rounds later were crowned U.S. Open Cup champions after defeating FC Dallas, 3-2, in the final.
Though Harrisburg may be a USL-2 team, several times the City Islanders have advanced deep into the U.S. Open Cup, most notably in 2007. In the third round, the City Islanders defeated D.C. United, 1-0, to advance to face New England in the quarterfinals. In 2008, however, the City Islanders lost in penalties in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup to USL-2 foe Crystal Palace Baltimore.
Last year in the 2008 U.S. Open Cup, New England advanced to the semifinals, defeating USL-2 clubs the Richmond Kickers and Crystal Palace Baltimore before falling to eventual champions D.C. United, 3-1.
The winner of the New England-Harrisburg match will advance to play the winner of the game between the PDL’s Ocean City Barons and D.C. United. The Ocean City Barons are the only amateur club remaining in the Open Cup.
- New England and Harrisburg have faced each other once before, in 2007 … in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup held at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 8, New England triumphed, 2-1, and eventually won the 2007 U.S. Open Cup.
- The nickname “City Islanders” might seem an odd moniker for a team located in south-central Pennsylvania, but the nickname refers to the unique location of the City Islanders’ home stadium: on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River.
- The Harrisburg City Islanders were founded in 2004 … in 2007 the City Islanders won the USL-2 championship with current manager Bill Becher … the City Islanders have advanced to the USL-2 playoffs in all but one year of their existence … the lone exception was in the 2006 season.
- The Revs are 10-7-3 overall in the U.S. Open Cup since 1997 … they are 2-0-1 all-time in U.S. Open Cup competition against USL-2 teams.
- Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Conn., has served as a second home for the Revolution during U.S. Open Cup games in recent years, with the Revs holding a 2-1-1 mark there.
INJURY REPORT
New England Revolution (as of Friday, June 26)
DOUBTFUL: Kevin Alston (R hamstring tightness)
OUT: Chris Albright (L lateral meniscus surgery), Gabriel Badilla (bulging disk), Mauricio Castro (L hamstring strain), Shalrie Joseph (R knee cartilage defect/bone bruising), Steve Ralston (R hamstring strain), Taylor Twellman (Disabled List: concussion)
UNAVAILABLE: Jay Heaps (U.S. National Team/CONCACAF Gold Cup), Wells Thompson (suspension)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New England Revolution
Brad Knighton – The backup keeper for the Revs is expected to make his first start since April 25 … in five starts this season, Knighton has posted a 2.00 GAA and a 1-1-3 record … Knighton replaced the injured Matt Reis in the early part of the season as Reis was sidelined with a knee injury and a concussion.
Mike Videira – The Massachusetts native got his second start of the season on Wednesday, June 24 against Kansas City … Videira started in place of the injured Steve Ralston and created several chances for the New England attack … in the 14th minute of that game he beat the keeper and hit the post, but in the 34th minute he was shown a red card for an errant elbow.
Harrisburg City Islanders
Chad Severs – Severs has propelled the Harrisburg attack all season … with 15 points through 10 games, he ranks second in USL-2 in scoring … Severs has seven goals and one assist on the season.
Ty Shipalane – Like Severs, Shipalane has also produced 15 points in 10 games … Shipalane has worked together productively with Severs upfront so far this season, and leads the league with five assists.
PREGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH STEVE NICOL
On facing a USL-2 team in New Britain …
“We’ve been there enough times it’s kind of a home away from home. We’ve played there three times, so we know what we’re going into down there.”
On whether the younger players impressed him during the past week …
“Absolutely. The only thing you can ever ask is how players go about things and they’ve gone about it absolutely with the right mind and the right attitude and showing what good professionals they are.”
On what he took away from the last week of matches …
“It tells you the character of the players. At the end of the day, no matter what you do, some guys want to win and some guys just make sure they win. So we’ve really stepped up big time as far as that’s concerned.”
On preparing for a USL-2 foe …
“Well, we always think it’s how we play that’s going to affect the game, not what other teams do. We’ll go to the game with that same sort of philosophy.”
On the performances of Kenny Mansally and Kheli Dube in recent games …
“Well, it’s always nice having players connecting and scoring and things like that. It’s always good to keep that, and obviously we’re hoping it continues for the rest of the year.”
MIDFIELDER MIKE VIDEIRA
On the play of USL-2 clubs …
“Obviously it’s a different level, but my experience with the (Western Mass) Pioneers was that there are guys that are willing to work hard and try to do everything right and play with a lot of heart. They’ve got a lot of good players with a lot of skill as well, and I think some of them may be overlooked at this point. They’re hard working players who will do what the need to do to get the win, so obviously going into the game they (the Harrisburg City Islanders) will be pretty hungry and have something to prove.”
On his performance last Wednesday …
“I thought it went pretty well. I felt like I was able to keep the ball for us when I got it and I kept it simple. I created a few chances for myself and for others. Other than that, I just tried to keep it and open things up and just create opportunities for everyone else.”
On the 48-hour turnaround between games …
“Well, it’s good just to get a run in, but obviously it’s difficult for guys to get their rest. It’s different for every person, so coaches are aware of it and guys are pretty honest and get their rest and do what they need to do.”
On the lineup changes …
“It’s fine. Obviously, we have to come together with different guys in the lineup. But of course, we still have the same goals and we still need to put it together to win, and guys understand that. In terms of coming together, we all train together and everyone’s working hard and trying their best.”
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