Two games in two days: Richmond Kickers vs. Harrisburg City Islanders

When most people think of a back to back road trip in soccer, they think of going to play a weekend away game and then maybe playing a midweek game before heading home. This weekend, however, the Richmond Kickers play the Harrisburg City Islanders tonight in Harrisburg, Pa., before going to Rochester to play the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday. Hans Backe, I don’t want to hear you complaining about US Open Cup scheduling until you have to play two games in two days.

But we will deal with these two games in separate posts. Like I said, the first is against the Harrisburg City Islanders; you can watch it online (for free!) at USL Nation at 7:00pm. The City Islanders are riding a five game winning streak in all competitions, including a victory over the New England Revolution in penalty kicks in the US Open Cup this past Tuesday. Hopefully, the buzz hasn’t worn off and so the Kickers can catch them napping.

As they were in the US Open Cup match against DC United, the Kickers are missing players due to injury and national team duty. Defender Yomby William has been out injured and defender Henry Kalungi is away with the Ugandan national team, forcing Jason Yeisley, normally a striker, to step in at central defense. However, the pairing of Yeisley and Shane Johnson were able to go toe to toe with the physical and experienced front line of DC United, and so a repeat of that pairing would be fine with me.

Picking a team that may start in the middle of three games in five days is silly, but I will try it anyways. Here is one team that I could see trotting out there tonight:

Pascale
Goerres Johnson Yeisley Foglesong
Heins Dos Santos Vercollone Callahan
Bulow Delicate

After running ragged on Tuesday, Christopher Agorsor and Edson Elcock deserve a break, even it if is only for a half. I’m hopefully going to watch the game tonight, and provide commentary is some form. It may be an old school live blog, where you have to refresh your browser to see new content, but we will make something work. Hope to see you tonight!