It’s still early in the season, with approximately a two third of the games still to play, but Saint Louis FC will face a Harrisburg City Islanders team with huge potential implications for the playoff picture in the coming months.
Harrisburg currently sit a point and a place above Saint Louis in 6th place, and that is the cut off line going into the playoffs in September. If Saint Louis lose on Saturday, they could begin to lose pace in the run for the postseason. While Saint Louis look to build on a scrappy draw at Pittsburgh Riverhounds last week, the City Islanders will look at their own tie at home to Toronto as two points dropped and will be looking to make amends.
Saint Louis will look to continue to pressure the opposing goalkeeper, having had over 100 shots thus far this season, the strike rate will need to improve with the team only netting 12 goals. Bryan Gaul and Jermie Lynch have 3 league goals each.
Good news for Saint Louis FC is that the injuries which have plagued the midfield in the past two months seems to be resolving. Charles Renken has come back into the team and into form. He was pivotal in the wins against Minnesota United and scored the equalizer at Louisville City. Brandon Barklage is back on the field regaining match fitness after his long layoff suffering from a foot injury sustained after the loss to Rochester Rhinos in early April. STLFC will also be welcoming back to first team action Jamiel Hardware, the team has certainly missed his pace since hamstring issues forced him off in the win at Oklahoma City Energy FC on April 25th.
Harrisburg City Islanders are coached by Saint Louis native Bill Becher. Becher player for the St Louis Ambush in 1999-2000 season and became the City Islanders head coach in 2004.
photo credit Mark Guthrel
