skip navigation

City Islanders Claim Keystone Derby Cup

By AARON CRANFORD - aaron.cranford@uslsoccer.com, 08/27/16, 9:15PM EDT

Share

Harrisburg ties 10-man Riverhounds 1-1 in derby


Photo by Harrisburg City Islanders

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Harrisburg City Islanders have taken the Keystone Derby Cup from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds after a captivating 1-1 tie at FNB Field on Saturday. Craig Foster scored the opener after Cardel Benbow beat a defender with a nutmeg and chipped the ball over Riverhounds goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 65th minute. That lead only lasted five minutes, as the Riverhounds found an equalizer via a free-kick opportunity. Sergio Campbell scored from the six-yard box after Danny Earls served in a cross from the right wing. Three minutes later, Earls was shown a red card. Harrisburg was unable to find a late winner, leaving the club with a 7-14-5 overall record. The Riverhounds’ road record is now 1-7-4, while their overall record is 5-15-5. With Orlando City B losing to the Richmond Kickers, 1-0, on Saturday, the Riverhounds and City Islanders are not mathematically eliminated from a 2016 USL Playoffs spot.

Scoring:
65’ – HAR – Craig Foster (Cardel Benbow)
70’ – PGH – Sergio Campbell (Danny Earls)

Three Things That Mattered:

  • 1. The City Islanders have had an up-and-down regular season, but Saturday’s result was one of the highs of the campaign. While the club will rue dropping points at home, especially after taking the 1-0 lead in the 65th minute, the City Islanders had few problems claiming the Keystone Derby Cup in 2016. Foster, who had not scored a goal since June 25, netted his fifth goal of the regular season to help the club earn the trophy. While claiming one of the eight USL Playoffs spots in the Eastern Conference became much more difficult with Saturday’s home draw, the result should give Harrisburg a small boost with only four games remaining on the schedule.

  • 2. Hertzog was unable to find the back of the net after scoring six goals in his previous six games, but he continued to show why he has been the key man for the Riverhounds in 2016. The forward, who has 11 goals on the year, created many opportunities in both halves for the Riverhounds. Hertzog put a right-footed shot just wide of the right post in the 20th minute and forced City Islanders goalkeeper Keasel Broome into a diving save in the 54th minute.

  • 3. Zack Steffen, who was the starter for the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, earned his fourth consecutive start in goal for the Riverhounds and looked solid. The 21-year-old netminder is on loan from MLS’s Columbus Crew and has helped the Riverhounds earn seven points in four games. The goalkeeper was called into action in the 19th and 23rd minutes, and he made routine stops to keep the City Islanders off the score sheet. An exceptional chip by Benbow – leading to Foster’s go-ahead goal for Harrisburg – was the only ball to beat Steffen on the night.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Cardel Benbow, Harrisburg City Islanders: Benbow dominated the second half by creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities down the left wing, including his nutmeg and subsequent assist in the 65th minute of play.

Upcoming Games:
Harrisburg City Islanders vs. Bethlehem Steel FC – Aug. 30, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field
Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Orlando City B – Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. ET, Titan Soccer Complex

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos