WILMINGTON, N.C. – Wilmington Hammerheads FC and the Harrisburg City Islanders will meet in an important Eastern Conference contest on Friday night at Legion Stadium, with both sides sitting just outside the playoff berths entering the weekend. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Matchcenter: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218403

Wilmington Hammerheads FC news and notes

• Current record: 3-4-3, 12 points
• The Hammerheads enter Friday’s contest with positive momentum having taken a 3-1 win against Toronto last Sunday in the league, and then advancing past the Miami FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night.
• Wilmington jumped out to an early two-goal lead on the road against Miami at Florida International University, and then held on late as goalkeeper Eric Ati saved a penalty to preserve a 2-1 win.
• Defender Bruno Perone leads the team with four goals, the most recent coming from the penalty spot in the Hammerheads’ win in Toronto.
• Mael Corboz scored his first professional goal against Toronto, which proved to be the game-winner, and added to his team-leading three assists this season.

Harrisburg City Islanders news and notes

• Current record: 4-6-1, 13 points
• Harrisburg fell 2-0 to FC Cincinnati in its last outing, but recorded a 2-1 win to advance on Wednesday night in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Chattanooga FC.
• Craig Foster and Paul Wilson have been key to Harrisburg’s attack this season, and it proved so again on Wednesday as they each scored to send Harrisburg on to a meeting with the Philadelphia Union in the Fourth Round.
• The City Islanders will be without forward Aaron Wheeler, who will serve the first of a three-game suspension on Friday night after his red card against Cincinnati.
• Friday’s game is the second in a four-game road trip for the City Islanders, who will also visit New York and Charleston before returning to FNB Field on June 21.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Wilmington – Brunoe Perone; Harrisburg – Paul Wilson, 4
• Assists: Wilmington – Mael Corboz, 3; Harrisburg – Paul Wilson, Jose Barril, 3

Series notes

• The City Islanders swept the two-game season series a year ago, including a 4-0 win at Legion Stadium.

Officials

• REF: Mark Kadlecik
• AR1: Ryan Graves
• AR2: Justin Finger
• 4TH: Erick M. Varone

Game hashtag:

• #WILvHAR

Twitter social handles

• Wilmington Hammerheads FC – @WilmHammerheads
• Harrisburg City Islanders – @City_Islanders