After a hat-trick Friday evening versus the Dayton Dutch Lions on the Island, Yann Ekra stayed hot and led the Harrisburg City Islanders to victory Tuesday night in a US Open Cup match against the Long Island Rough Riders (Premier Development League).
In the 22nd minute of the match, after a strong build up by the Islanders, Ekra fed the ball to former Philadelphia Union midfielder Morgan Langley with a clever back-heel pass. Langley's shot was deflected wide from a quick diving save by Rough Riders goalkeeper Thomas Booth.
The roles were reversed for Langley and Ekra in the 47th minute of the match, when Langley used his finesse skills to thread a ball over the top to Ekra, who slipped past the defenders. Ekra hit the ball on a one-time volley, finding the back of the net, putting the City Islanders on top 1-0.
Brian Ombiji added to the lead in the 76th minute off of a feed from Andrew Welker. Ombiji received the ball while streaking down the left side of the pitch and slipped the ball under the goalkeeper to make the score 2-0.
The City Islanders are back to USL PRO action Friday May 25 against the undefeated Rochester Rhinos (6-0-1) at City Island. Then Tuesday, May 29, the Islanders take on the New England Revolution starting at 7:00 p.m. The match will take place at Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The Islanders are 3-3 in games versus MLS squads in the USOC, historically.
HCI vs. MLS
2007
HCI 1-0 DC United
HCI 1-2 New England Revolution
2009
HCI 2-1 New England Revolution
HCI 1-2 DC United
2010
HCI 1-0 New York Red Bulls
HCI 0-2 DC United