Steve Fisher will go down in the annals of Harrisburg City Islanders history as the man who gave the club their first victory over a Major League Soccer club. His goal in the 44th minute off a David Schofield corner kick that was the difference in Harrisburg’s 1-0 victory over DC United at Hempfield High School in Landisville, Pa. It was the first time that DC United had fallen to a Second Division side in the Open Cup, and only the third time that they have lost to a USL club at any level.
The 1996 US Open Cup champions fought valiantly in the second half, but a stalwart defense and the sure hands of Matt Nelson protected the lead and moved the City Islanders into the Quarterfinals in their first Open Cup appearance.
The match was the third meeting between the two clubs, but the first one that counted. United won the previous two games that were both exhibitions (billed as “The Clash of the Capitals”).
Their reward for the win is a road match with the New England Revolution. The good news is that they won’t have to travel all the way to Foxboro, because the Revs are hosting the next round at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. — the home of the Western Mass Pioneers.