Philadelphia Union and Harrisburg City Islanders to Host Joint Tryout

Philadelphia Union announced today that the club has teamed up with the Harrisburg City Islanders to jointly host an open tryout December 20-21, 2010. The event will be held at In the Net Sports Complex in Palmyra, PA., the home training ground of the City Islanders. Players may register by visiting the City Islanders website, www.cityislanders.com.

The two organizations, which entered into an exclusive affiliation in March, will look to start the player identification process early for the 2011 season.

“Our eyes are constantly open to identifying talent and this tryout is a terrific opportunity to evaluate a large number of players simultaneously," said Philadelphia Union Coach John Hackworth. "Our partnership with Harrisburg enables us to pool resources with the goal of finding 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."

Members of both technical staffs will be attendance, as the Union continue to provide opportunities for aspiring professional soccer players. Last year’s open tryout attracted approximately 1,800 participants spread between three sessions.

“Philadelphia is a first class organization and we are pleased to partner with them once again,” added City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher. “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. We have open tryouts each year and we’ve always found a player or two that have not only made our team, but made a measurable difference. I suspect this year will be no different.”

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 will look to make their first playoff appearance in 2011. The second-year club plays their home matches at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

The Harrisburg City Islanders, members of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division for the past seven seasons, will complete in the USL Pro in 2011. 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 75-47-40 and play their home matches at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island in downtown Harrisburg.

For more information or to register for the joint tryout, please visit www.cityislanders.com or call 717-441-GOAL.