Soccer is back on the roster in Harrisburg.
The Capital City Islanders, a recently formed professional men’s soccer team, is set to kick off a new era of the sport on City Island this spring.
“We are just trying to bring something positive to the area and hopefully we can do that through the game of soccer,” said team founder and owner Alex McGee, of Capital City Sports Group.
The team will play at the island’s Skyline Sports Complex, a field that once hosted the Harrisburg City Islanders, a professional league that ceased operations in 2019 after 16 years of operation. McGee said that his team has no affiliation with the Harrisburg City Islanders.
The Capital City Islanders announced the news on their website on Dec. 31, sharing that their inaugural season will begin in April. The team will play as part of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Division 1 American Conference, the fourth tier of the U.S. Men’s Soccer Pyramid. However, McGee hopes that the team will eventually advance to the USL League One, a tier above.
McGee, a Lebanon native, is a long-time soccer lover, player and coach, who coaches for Milton Hershey’s high school team, his alma matter.
“Myself and a couple of the guys who are part of the ownership group […] just understood the need and the calling for a team to return to the island and reconnect the community and bring soccer back to Harrisburg,” he said.
According to McGee, while Central Pa. is a soccer-loving region, there are no major professional outdoor teams. He pointed out the local Harrisburg Heat team, which he has worked for, but noted that they play indoors.
“Central Pennsylvania is a soccer hub and the area loves soccer,” he said. “It was a no brainer.”
Just a few days ago, the team announced that it’s bringing on Adam “Johnny” Morris as its head coach. Morris has over 20 years of coaching experience in Europe and the U.S., most recently serving as the assistant coach for USLW Lancaster Inferno.
”To coach this team is more than just the wins we will achieve, it’s about reigniting Harrisburg’s soccer spirit and bringing the game back to the island,” Morris said, in a statement. “I’m excited to get started and to see the Capital City Islanders rise to new heights.”
Currently, the team is recruiting players, with tryouts scheduled for Feb. 1 and 22. McGee believes the team will get a mix of regional and international professional players, as well as local athletes.
McGee said that the team will make some improvements to the Skyline facility in partnership with Central Penn College, which also uses the field. The team has an agreement with the city to use the space, he said.
The Islanders’ first game will take place away on April 5, and they will play their first home game on City Island on either April 12 or 13. The full schedule is not yet finalized. The season will run from April to June and then continue in August to November, following the UPSL’s schedule. McGee said he chose to join that league because of the schedule, which holds games in the warmer months, making it more favorable for fans to come watch.
The Islanders will play other Pa. teams such as the Philadelphia Lone Star FC and the Scranton FC, as well as other division teams from surrounding states.
In the future, McGee said the team plans to give back to the community, especially through youth clinics and camps. He also envisions expanding to include additional teams and sports under his Capital City Sports Group in the future.
But for now, the team is just excited about the rebirth of soccer in the city, and the community has echoed that.
“There is a lot of excitement. I mean we’ve received emails and messages, and a lot of people are grateful,” he said. “A lot of people want season tickets; they’re trying to pick their seats out before we’ve even rolled out tickets or schedules.”
For more information on the Capital City Islanders, visit their website.
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