Academy

MLS on Loan: Philadelphia Union Homegrown striker steals the show for Harrisburg

Cristhian Hernandez is Union Home Grown player

Our season-long series covering MLS products loaned out to lower tier teams in the US and Canada:

USL PRO side Harrisburg City Islanders may have hit the jackpot, as the loan agreement they have with the Philadelphia Union paid dividends in a big way this past weekend.


All four of the City Islanders’ on-loan MLS players started and put in significant minutes as they downed the Colorado Rapids Reserves, 2-1 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Cris Hernandez (above), a Union Homegrown signing, gave the City Islanders an early lead, and later connected with fellow Union teammate Greg Jordan on the game-winner. The 64th-minute header by Jordan came courtesy of a well-placed set-piece by Hernandez at the back post.


Harrisburg improved to 2-0 and became the first USL PRO side to take a victory from an MLS Reserve squad since the MLS-USL partnership was announced.


Want the full lower tier round-up? Join the /r/MLS discussion now!

Orlando City SC also saw the benefit of MLS talent in their 3-2 win over the LA Blues. All four of their Sporting KC players got the start for Orlando with Yann Sango’o bagging a goal in the 62nd minute. On-loan Chivas USA goalkeeper Patrick McLain did not play for the Blues.


Full rundown of the MLS-on-loan gang below:


USL PRO:

Rochester Rhinos: 0-0 draw at Charlotte Eagles
D Bilal Duckett (NE) – Subsitute, played 23 minutes
F Matt Horth (NE) – Started, played 71 minutes
M Gabe Latigue (NE) – Started, played 67 minutes
D Tyler Polak (NE) – Started, played 90 minutes


Orlando City SC: 3-2 win vs. LA Blues
GK Jon Kempin (SKC) – Started, subbed out 90th minute
M Christian Duke (SKC) – Started, played 13 minutes
D Yann Songo’o (SKC) – Started, played 90 minutes, one goal
F Dom Dwyer (SKC) – Started, played 87 minutes


LA Blues: 3-2 loss at Orlando City SC
GK Patrick McLain (Chivas USA) – Did not play


Richmond Kickers : 4-1 win vs. Rochester Rhinos
D/M Taylor Kemp (DC) – Did not play
F Michael Seaton (DC) – Did not play
M Conor Shanosky (DC) – Started, played 90 minutes
F Casey Townsend (DC) – Did not play, remained with DC United
Brian Ownby (HOU) – Started, played 83 minutes


Rochester Rhinos: 4-1 loss at Richmond Kickers
D Bilal Duckett (NE) – Started, played 90 minutes
F Matt Horth (NE) – Unused substitute
M Gabe Latigue (NE) – Started, played 52 minutes
D Tyler Polak (NE) – Substitute, played 38 minutes


Harrisburg City Islanders: 2-1 win at Colorado Rapids Reserves
M Jimmy McLaughlin (PHI) – Started, played 87 minutes
M Greg Jordan (PHI) – Started, played 90 minutes, one goal
F Cristhian Hernandez (PHI) – Started, played 78 minutes, one goal, one assist
M Don Anding (PHI) – Started, played 90 minutes


LA Blues: 3-2 loss at VSI Tampa Bay FC
GK Patrick McLain (Chivas USA) – Did not play


NASL:

Atlanta Silverbacks: 4-3 win at Tamp Bay Rowdies
Kellen Gulley (Chicago Fire) – Did not play


Tampa Bay Rowdies: 4-3 loss at Atlanta Silverbacks
Alex Dixon (Houston) – Substitute, played 25 minutes


FC Edmonton: 2-0 loss at Minnesota United FC
Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver) – Started, played 90 minutes