Home opener Saturday. Would be great if team starts its best 11, suggesting JJ will be on bench and Ownby could be inserted. Look for Collins John paired with Angulo on top, with Arteaga and Ngweyna off the bench at 75 min. Danny Earls may have found himself in midfield but also seems comfortable at left back. Right back still a bit shaky with Green and Flunder rotating, meanwhile Arena and Marshall reading game well but in need of some energetic midfield play to improve possession. Team basically played 3-5-2 last 20-30 minutes against Richmond and tempo of game completely changed in Hounds favor. Hoping C'DeBaca and Kerr healthy and ready soon to boost lineup. Kerr was in great form in preseason. Blum earned an other start in net but having Lisch on board is big boost - could see him get a start next week in Richmond. Salazar not likely to be in uniform.
USL PRO@USLPRO19 mins SUSPENSION: The @PghRiverhounds' Collins John has been suspended for three games following his ejection vs. the @WilmHammerheads. #USLPRO
Angulo and Flunder are out this weekend with a lower body injury. Both are day to day. C'deBaca is on the bench this weekend for the first time this season. Blum does not make the game day roster this week (not surprising). I'm expecting Lisch to start. Fekete doesn't make the game day roster 2 weeks in a row. Salazar doesn't make it 3 weeks in a row.
Well the 3-5-2 worked in second halves against Rich and Wilmington when trying to catch up, and it worked for 60 minutes against Rich on Sat, but the wings and backs were dead. Why we didn't add defender and to back line and fresh legged wings sooner with 2-0 lead is a mystery and probably cost the game. Closing out games has been our worst quality since start of last season.
Riverhounds again play well and outplay league leading Orlando most of second half, but again fall to questionable referee decision at home. After seeing the tying goal reversed against Wilmington, the Hounds saw a clear penalty kick decision reversed and the opportunity to tie match evaporate. In both instances the center referee who commands the box allowed the A/R to convince the cetner to change his call. There were several more muggings in the box by Orlando that the center chose to ingnore resulting in another tough loss. Lisch was sharp, challenged only on a couple of occasions and beaten once on a break down in the back against Orlando's speedy and clinical attack. Arena was still with Dynamo along with Ownby but the Hound's 4-4-2 with Marshall, Flunder, Green and Earls in back was effective. Angulo and Ngweyna had chances but still missing John up top. Orlando's keeper was tested and made great saves on several near scores. J Johnson entered late in second half and again showed promise with his speed and strength which helped changed the Hounds attack from the wings to straight down the gut with quick one touch passing. Let's hope the change of opponents (4 of first 6 matches and 3 on road against arguably 2 best teams - Orlando and Richmond) and a change of luck get the team on the right track for rest of season. Rochester at home Sat. is a MUST win game.
Thanks for the report. Indeed, three points are required. The gap with the other teams is slowly but surely widening. With the Chapter 11 story, it is key for the club to secure good sportive performances, otherwise the ambiance is going to be tense.
All is not well, but certainly not lost. Hunter Gilstrap went down in first match and the GK play was subpar until Dynamo sent Lisch on loan who has proven very capable. The Hounds should have a win in second away match against Kickers (led 2-0) but Evans made his most blatant blunder as coach this season by not subbing wilting legs and adding a defender while up. Starting a different back line every match hasn't helped much either. Hounds had a tie taken away on goal by Ngwyena on questionable off side call in waning minutes against Wilmington (arguably the team's worst defensive showing and led to GK change), and had a likley tie taken away against Orlando when called PK was reversed (and several other clear fouls in the box were ignored) as game wound down. Even last week against the Rhinos, at least 2 clear penaltys in box (including obvious handball in 1st half) were ignored at the Hounds expense. A little luck and the team could be respectable 1-2-4 instead of 0-4-3. Four of 7 matches (3 away) against #1 Orlando and #3 Richmond certainly didn't help. Let's see what change brings - maybe a little luck at the least.
Dynamo woes continue - injuries and suspect play. Ownby played OK at RB in loss to DC United , but ended match with straight red for swinging at someone. Maybe Arena will get recall - he's in good form and could help Dynamo back line. Despite Hounds own issues, they could probably give their MLS affiliate a tough match.
Rumors early in the season was he wasn't very fit and had a bad attitude. Now a days idk. I think he's back in Houston actually.
The Hounds picked up Mackenzie Pridham on loan from Minnesota United FC for the remainder of the season. http://riverhounds.com/home/825083.html
Hounds sign Andrew Riberio Just confirmed with @PghRiverhounds signed Andrew Riberio after he's been on trial with them for past few weeks #USLPRO @SteelArmy— John Krysinsky (@JohnKrysinsky) July 25, 2014
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Add Four Players To Roster For 2015 Season Well 2 players re-signed, and 2 new ones (midfielder Stephen Okai and goalkeeper Ryan Thompson) http://cityofchampionssports.com/20...erhounds-add-four-players-roster-2015-season/
Since the last post the Hounds have signed- M Kevin Kerr D Drew Russell (Charlotte Eagles) D Anthony Virgara (Riverhounds U-23s) GK Ryan Hulings (Riverhounds U-23s) and Jose Angulo has departed for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. They have 4 or so more players signed but they haven't announced them yet (internationals, paperwork, etc). I know 2 of them are strikers and 1 is another defender. Current Roster- GK Ryan Hulings GK Ryan Thompson D Anthony Arena D Drew Russell D Fejiro Okiomah D Sterling Flunder D/M Mike Green M Anthony Virgara M Danny Earls M Kevin Kerr M Matt Dallman M Rob Vincent M Seth C’deBaca M Stephen Okai F Miro Cabrilo
http://riverhounds.com/home/862265.html The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are pleased to announce that Fejiro Okiomah, Anthony Virgara and Ryan Hulings have agreed terms for the 2015 USL season.
http://www.riverhounds.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72932+L3/Display+E+NDX+NDX+864946 PITTSBURGH (March 2, 2015) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are pleased to announce that South African midfielder Matshidiso “Lebo” Moloto has agreed terms for the 2015 USL season.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/...-vincent-transfer-usls-pittsburgh-riverhounds DC United sign midfielder Rob Vincent via transfer from USL's Pittsburgh Riverhounds February 17, 2016
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ocial&utm_source=Twitter#link_time=1456169168 While not a loan from Crew, looks like people were right in predicting Campbell would be with Hounds this season. I'm glad he has landed quickly after being released by Crew.