PALMYRA -- The Harrisburg City Islanders are confident they can handle another Revolution.
And that was before the team learned the New England Revolution, it's next opponent in the U.S. Open Cup, is resting many of top players.
Captain Shalrie Joseph, goalkeeper Matt Reis, leading goal-scorer Saer Sène and center back A.J. Soares were among the players who returned to Foxborough instead of traveling to Harrisburg following this past weekend’s 3-2 loss to D.C. United, according to the Revolution's website.
New England faces the City Islanders Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Skyline Sports Complex in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.
"I think its going to be a really good test for us," said defender Bilal Duckett after Monday morning's practice at In the Net in Lebanon County. "We're playing really well right now. We're four games (in a row) without giving up a goal, so its going to be a really good test (for us)."
Harrisburg (3-1-3, 12 pts.) is riding a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2).
The Revs and City Islanders have met twice before – all in the U.S. Open Cup – but this will be the first time the clubs have met in Pennsylvania.
The City Islanders knocked off the Revs in 2009 with a 2-1 win in extra time in a third round match at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Conn. New England eliminated Harrisburg 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the 2007 Open Cup, before eventually winning the championship.
"I 100% believe that we can go out there tomorrow and beat them on the Island," said forward Morgan Langley. "It's our place; and we have a great team."
The Revs (4-7-1, 13 pts.) arrived on Monday afternoon, traveling directly from Washington, D.C.
“It’s definitely a challenge when you’re playing a team that’s seen as below you, but we know it’s not going to be an easy game,” said Revolution defender Darrius Barnes, according to the team's website. “They’re going to come out here and challenge and they’re going to put pressure on us … We’re going to have to come out here, withstand the first 15 minutes when they’re coming out flying and after that we’re going to have to try to put the ball on the ground and play as much as we can.”
Some information used in this story is courtesy of the New England Revolution. Some video used in this story is provided by MLS/SendtoNews.
