Two Red Cards In First Half Can’t Stop Harrisburg City From 2-1 USL National Division Final Win Over Rochester

The Harrisburg City Islanders, a United Soccer Leagues (USL) PRO level affiliate of the Philadelphia Union, managed to overcome great odds to secure a place in the USL PRO Final, by beating the Rochester Rhinos in the National Division Final 2-1.

Stephen Basso scored in the sixth minute to give the Islanders an 1-0 lead, aided by a Rhino defender who deflected the shot. The goal was from between 25 and 35 yards out, based on conflicting reports from the USL Live Match Tracker and the Rhino's press release on the game.

Both teams went down to ten men, as the Islander's Andrew Marshall and the Rhinos Tony Donatelli were sent off in the 27th minute. The Islanders then took advantage of some poor defensive play, as David Schofield made room for himself in the box and deflected the ball off of the diving Neal Kitson to give Harrisburg City a 2-0 lead.

Shortly thereafter, Brian Ombiji saw red as well, putting the Islanders down to 9 men and allowing Rochester to pull within one on Isaac Kissi's 45th minute goal. Harrisburg City head coach Bill Becher was ejected during the half.

Despite being down a man, 10 to 9, the Islanders survived the second half and captured a birth in the USL Finals with a final score of 2-1 over Rochester.