Harrisburg City Islanders eliminate Reading United 3-0 and advance in U.S. Open Cup

Harrisburg made quick work of Reading United A.C. Wednesday scoring two goals in the first ten minutes and cruising to a 3-0 victory. Danny DiPrima opened the scoring with an assist from Cardel Benbow in the 8th minute. Benbow then scored two minutes later off a pass from midfielder Jason Plumhoff. Plumhoff assisted his second goal one minute into the second half when his corner kick was headed in by defender Ken Tribbett. Harrisburg had to finish the game with 10 men after Neil Shaffer picked up his second yellow card in the 76th minute, but Reading United was unable to take advantage.

No current Philadelphia Union players were on the HCI roster for this match. U.S. Open Cup rules state that once a player plays for one team in the tournament they are tied to that team and can not play for any other. However, a number of former Union Academy players were eliminated. Kyle Morton, Brett and Shane Campbell, Quincy Thomas, and Keegan Rosenberry all started for Reading United A.C.

Harrisburg will host the Rochester Rhinos this coming Wednesday the 27th in Harrisburg.

In other semi-local U.S. Open Cup action yesterday the Pittsburgh Riverhounds advanced to the 3rd round with a 3-0 win over West Virginia Chaos. They will host NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday.

Jersey Express upset New York Red Bulls 2 by a score of 1-0 to advance as well. They will host the everybody's favorite the NY Cosmos in the next round. Hopefully that loss is a sign of things to come for the Red Bulls organization.