Union and Harrisburg City Islanders to Host Joint Tryout

Harrisburg, Pa. (November 2, 2011) – The Harrisburg City Islanders have teamed up with Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer (MLS) once again to jointly host an open tryout December 19-20, 2011. The event will be held at In the Net Sports Complex in Palmyra, PA., the home training ground of the City Islanders.

The two organizations, who are exclusive partners since March 2010, will look to start the player identification process early for the 2012 season.

“Our relationship with Harrisburg continues to pay dividends with the addition of three of their players to our roster,” said Philadelphia Union Coach John Hackworth. “Morgan Langley is a key example of how these tryouts are a terrific opportunity for us to find players who can compete within our player development structure, and ultimately with the Union first team.  We look forward to seeing who turns out for this exciting two day event."

City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher echoed the sentiments of Hackworth, stating; “Philadelphia is a first class organization and we are pleased to partner with them once again. I look forward to having the Union’s coaching staff here in Harrisburg and I believe that a joint tryout with franchises from different levels of professional soccer is a great way to find players who may be able to contribute to one of the respective teams. It should be a quality event.” Becher also said that, “last year’s tryouts with the Union were a huge success. We were able to identify four players from that tryout who played key roles that led  us to the Championship game.”

Nelson Becerra, Jose Angulo (2nd Team All League and 9 goals), Andrew Welker (8 goals), and Morgan Langley were four players that were identified in the joint tryout.  The Philadelphia Union also selected two players from this combine in the supplemental draft and Ryan Richter was signed to a contract. On September 15th, 2011 Langley became the third Islander signed by the Major League Soccer team.

The Harrisburg City Islanders will compete in the USL Pro in 2012 once again. USL Pro is the second highest level of professional soccer in the United States, Canada, and Caribbean. The City Islanders boast an overall record of 85-57-49 and play their home matches at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island in downtown Harrisburg.

Philadelphia Union joined Major League Soccer in 2010 as the first division’s 16th team. After compiling an 8-15-7 mark in their inaugural season, the Union made the 2011 playoffs in their second season. The second-year club plays their home matches at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

Tryout Information:

Trialist will be required to pay a $125 registration fee, in advance. The application and payment must be received before the coaching staff will review your application. The fee will only be processed if your application is accepted. Notification will be sent via email by December 10, 2011 to confirm or deny acceptance. If accepted, trialist will also receive detailed information including directions, hotel and restaurant options in the area.

All trialist must be in the country to register.

All student-athletes should confirm eligibility to participate with their respective college/university or NCAA.

Attendance on both days and all sessions is required. The tryout will consist of a warm-up, shooting, small sided and full field games.