Union drop friendly to Harrisburg City

The Philadelphia Union on Tuesday night dropped a friendly to the Harrisburg City Islanders, 3-2, in a precursor to the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Harrisburg plays in the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

Sparked by a two-goal effort from Grant Pettis and another tally from Yann Ekra, the Islanders controlled the majority of the contest.

Pettis scored his first goal in the 17th minute off a cross from Tom Mellor, giving Harrisburg a 1-0 lead.

The Union tied the game just before halftime on a Jorge Perlza goal and Michael Lahoud assist.

But the Islanders took the lead for good early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Ekra scored off a loose ball in the box.

Pettis sealed the win when he added his second goal, which came off a cross from Mkosana and gave Harrisburg a 3-1 lead.

The Union did add a goal later on off a free kick from Kai Herdling, but in the end, the club could not tie up the contest.

Philadelphia can avenge its loss to Harrisburg when the Union play the Islanders in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals on June 26 at 7:30pm.

The Union return to MLS action Saturday night at PPL Park against D.C. United.