Match Report


Harrisburg City IslandersHarrisburg City Islanders     Chicago FireChicago Fire
Computer Player Computer Player Edgar Formosa Edgar Formosa
Milton BeckermanM. Beckerman67
G
1
G
69Cheyne YatesC. Yates
Mark DukaM. Duka73
D
2
D
75Daniel BulosD. Bulos
Lionard AlvaradoL. Alvarado62
D
3
D
73Carlos KoufattyC. Koufatty
William MyersW. Myers55
D
4
D
72Jaime BejaranoJ. Bejarano
Gustavo LuceroG. Lucero59
M
5
D
74Julián PeñaJ. Peña
Johnnie GrayJ. Gray58
M
6
M
76Sixto EscobarS. Escobar
Bernard CarterB. Carter57
M
captain7
M
77Jeremy KnightonJ. Knighton
Charles ReedC. Reed57
M
8
M
77Luciano BlancoL. Blanco
Jerry HowardJ. Howard63
A
9captain
M
88Casey AlstonC. Alston
Joe GrossmanJ. Grossman62
A
10
A
72Jamie WatsonJ. Watson
Sam TaverneseS. Tavernese61
A
11
A
74Rafael PalacioR. Palacio
 
Francisco G. TaffarelF. Taffarel63
G
12
D
70Valentino RossiV. Rossi
John AlstonJ. Alston58
A
13
M
72Neil KasselN. Kassel
António RuizA. Ruiz56
M
14
A
71Hernan BatistutaH. Batistuta

LJs
today's match is sponsored by LJs
Match Report
An overcast sky looms overhead here at Skyline Sports Complex where Harrisburg City Islanders play host to Chicago Fire. Its a sell-out today with the 14,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Harrisburg City Islanders are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Chicago Fire appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Herbert Torres.


0.00
Harrisburg City Islanders kick off and get the first half underway!
2.05
Sixto Escobar threads a neat ball through to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio shoots from 25 yards but it's well over the bar!
3.05
Bernard Carter sees Jerry Howard in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Jerry Howard makes a simple pass, allowing Joe Grossman to run into the box. Joe Grossman tries a spectacular strike but it is tipped over by Cheyne Yates.
4.50
Jerry Howard takes the corner, chipping the ball into the box. Jamie Watson reaches the ball and heads it out of the danger area!
8.09
Luciano Blanco makes a simple pass to Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson knocks in a cross ball towards Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio connects with a diving header. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
16.05
Jeremy Knighton threads a neat ball through to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by William Myers.
20.03
Mark Duka flicks a high pass forward. Charles Reed collects the pass. Charles Reed threads a neat ball through to Joe Grossman. Joe Grossman tries a spectacular long range effort but it is tipped over by Cheyne Yates.
21.49
Jerry Howard takes the corner kick, swinging the ball in towards the near post. Jaime Bejarano gets to the ball and kicks it upfield to safety.
26.08
Luciano Blanco sees Rafael Palacio in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Rafael Palacio whips in a cross ball towards Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. Solid save from Milton Beckerman.
28.50
Luciano Blanco deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson knocks in a cross ball towards Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio jumps high and flicks the ball with his head. The ball comes off William Myers and the loose ball is cleared up field.
32.38
Jaime Bejarano hits a low pass to Jeremy Knighton. Jeremy Knighton flicks the ball to his team mate, Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio whips in a cross ball towards Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson shows true skill creating a chance out of nothing and knocks the ball goalwards with his head. The ball is well placed but the keeper is more than a match for it. Good save!
34.20
Jaime Bejarano flicks a high pass forward to Jeremy Knighton who brings the ball under control. Jeremy Knighton flicks a high pass forward to Jamie Watson who brings the ball under control. Jamie Watson knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Milton Beckerman who gathers it comfortably.
36.06
Sixto Escobar knocks the ball forward to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio whips in a cross ball towards Jamie Watson. With a superhuman jump, Jamie Watson connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
39.41
Sixto Escobar flicks the ball to his team mate, Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio lofts in a cross ball towards Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson powers a header at goal but couldn't keep it down. It goes high into the crowd!
44.20
Chicago Fire are dictating the run of play here today.
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half

Both teams emerge for the second half. Harrisburg City Islanders appear unchanged since the first half. Chicago Fire also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
The whistle blows and Chicago Fire get the second half underway!
47.15
Sam Tavernese comes in with a late challenge on Jaime Bejarano. The referee calls over Sam Tavernese and warns him to calm down! Jaime Bejarano runs off the knock.
49.55
Casey Alston chips the ball to his team mate, Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson tries a spectacular long range effort but he balloons it over the crossbar!
55.02
Bernard Carter kicks a strong pass forward to Joe Grossman. Joe Grossman knocks the ball forward, putting Jerry Howard through on goal. Some good footwork from Jerry Howard provides some space. He shoots at goal but it is miles over!
60.10
Chicago Fire have made a substitution with Hernan Batistuta replacing Jamie Watson .
63.26
Gustavo Lucero threads a neat ball through to Sam Tavernese. Sam Tavernese shoots from long range but it is tipped over by Cheyne Yates.
64.56
Corner kick to Harrisburg City Islanders. Jerry Howard chips it to the near post. Julián Peña reaches the ball and heads it out of the danger area!
67.04
Lionard Alvarado clumsily knocks into Hernan Batistuta. Lionard Alvarado is warned by the referee! Hernan Batistuta hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
69.39
Carlos Koufatty knocks the ball to his team mate, Luciano Blanco. Luciano Blanco threads the ball through to Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
78.46
Bernard Carter brings the ball forward. Bernard Carter controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
81.00
With imagination, Jeremy Knighton plays the ball forward to Hernan Batistuta. Hernan Batistuta knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Mark Duka.
83.06
Luciano Blanco barges into Bernard Carter. The referee calls over Luciano Blanco and warns him to calm down! Bernard Carter grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
84.29
Sam Tavernese hacks Daniel Bulos from behind! The referee calls over Sam Tavernese again and warns him to calm down! Daniel Bulos carries on, but is struggling a bit.
85.06
Casey Alston knocks the ball to his team mate, Hernan Batistuta. Hernan Batistuta whips in a cross ball towards Rafael Palacio. Rafael Palacio fearlessly jumps in, powering the ball goalwards with his head. Rafael Palacio scores for Chicago Fire!!
90.00
Gustavo Lucero flicks a high ball forward to Jerry Howard who takes it down. Jerry Howard edges inside the box! Jerry Howard strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal. The ball dips but the keeper is on top of it. Nice save!
90.00
The referee blows for full-time

Match Statistics
 

Harrisburg City Islanders

Chicago Fire
Goals
0
2
Shots on Target
4
5
Shots off Target
2
4
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
3
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
34.9%
65.1%
Play Area
33.3%
39.7%
27%

Scorers
Jamie Watson 36
Rafael Palacio 85

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Rafael Palacio of Chicago Fire

Match Ratings
1.Milton Beckerman (GK)
6
2.Mark Duka (DEF)
6
3.Lionard Alvarado (DEF)
5
4.William Myers (DEF)
6
5.Gustavo Lucero (MID)
6
6.Johnnie Gray (MID)
6
7.Bernard Carter (MID)
6
8.Charles Reed (MID)
6
9.Jerry Howard (ATT)
6
10.Joe Grossman (ATT)
6
11.Sam Tavernese (ATT)
5
 
12.Francisco G. Taffarel (GK)
0
13.John Alston (ATT)
0
14.António Ruiz (MID)
0

1.Cheyne Yates (GK)
7
2.Daniel Bulos (DEF)
6
3.Carlos Koufatty (DEF)
6
4.Jaime Bejarano (DEF)
6
5.Julián Peña (DEF)
6
6.Sixto Escobar (MID)
6
7.Jeremy Knighton (MID)
6
8.Luciano Blanco (MID)
6
9.Casey Alston (MID)
6
10.Jamie Watson (ATT)goal scored
9
11.Rafael Palacio (ATT)goal scored
9
 
12.Valentino Rossi (DEF)
0
13.Neil Kassel (MID)
0
14.Hernan Batistuta (ATT)
6