ON DECK FOR THE CITY ISLANDERS
WHO: Long Island Rough Riders.
WHERE: Skyline Sports Complex, City Island.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday.
THE LOWDOWN
After failing to qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup each of its first three seasons, the City Islanders Tuesday night will begin play in American soccer’s national tournament for the sixth year in a row. … Thanks to a format change, the City Islanders (2-1-3) and 15 other professional sides are beginning Open Cup play in the second round of the 64-team event. … Harrisburg and Long Island met two years ago at Skyline in a first-round Open Cup match. The City Islanders prevailed 1-0 behind a Geoff Bloes finish — J.T. Noone assisted on the score — and three saves from Danny Cepero.
The City Islanders smacked USL PRO playmate Dayton 4-0 Saturday night at Skyline behind three goals from Yann Ekra and one from Morgan Langley. Keeper Nick Noble piled up five saves, including a clutch stop of a first-half penalty kick that helped preserve his second straight shutout and third overall. … Up 3-0 at the half, the City Islanders used their bench at will, receiving a combined 166 minutes from reserves Drew Yates, Tom Mellor, Adrian LeRoy, Garret Pettis and Colin Zizzi. LeRoy’s appearance was his first with the City Islanders. … Defender Dustin Bixler (hamstring) and midfielder Jason Pelletier (groin) are questionable for Long Island.
Sainey Touray, who received a late red card in last year’s 1-0 second-round loss to the Rochester Rhinos, will serve his one-game suspension tonight. … Midfielder Andrew Welker (ankle), idle against Dayton, should play against the Rough Riders.
Long Island (1-1-0) began Open Cup play last Tuesday, blanking amateur side F.C. Sonic 2-0 in suburban Allentown. Tom Wharf and Shaun Higgins authored finishes for the Rough Riders, who led 2-0 just 22 minutes in. … The Rough Riders opened Premier Development League play Saturday night against Reading United A.C., but fell 1-0 despite 10 saves from Alexander Naples.
RESTARTS
Tuesday night’s victor will engage Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution (4-6-1) in next week’s third round, Should the City Islanders prevail, they’ll host the Revs at Skyline. … Harrisburg returns to USL PRO action on Friday night, hosting league-leading Rochester (6-0-1, 19 points).
