Pittsburgh Riverhounds End Affiliation with Dynamo

Well, here is some good news for the River Hounds..

Chapter 11

and another article

 

It's been a hell of a morning.

While throwing out the term bankrupcy is never good it seems in the long run this won't be too big of a deal, and is mostly a CYA thing while they continue to restructure the organization. They've stated this won't effect the team's operations, and all the moves made during in the off season don't indicate that they think their days are numbered.

 

how are the Pittsburgh Power doing?

 

from a release they made today:

"Can you guarantee that nothing at Highmark Stadium will be interrupted?

While the operation of the facility is under the oversight of the bankruptcy court, it is not our position to make guarantees other than to say all of our plans are the same for 2014 and we believe with have the interim financing necessary to meet all of our 2014 objectives and obligations. We look forward to the 2014 soccer season and upcoming events!"


We should ask Andrew Driver what he thinks.

 

Still around though they're a season or two away from the chopping block too.

 

This augers poorly for things. Overspent on stadium, can't service the debt. A bit odd that the new majority owner is providing the DIP financing - could be a back door way of taking full control of the team on the cheap and extinguishing some debt at the same time.

 

In brighter news per an interview Evans gave yesterday-

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1886260998?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAHBuCSQ~,m5He7DD2i

Ownby is the 4th.

 

damn.

Dr. L-you are right, once you start getting loaned out, it's the end of your Dynamo career. First Richmond and now Pittsburgh. Damn, I really like this kid.

 

I thikn Ownby might be a guy that overcomes this loan thing... he is pretty versatile... can play either side.... has really good speed.... and has played some at right back.

 

I think Ownby hangs around longer than Arena, Salazar and probably JJ as well with the way he's been playing lately. Well probably not JJ because he's generation Adidas.

 

I reckon there is a fair chance Ownby plays at right back on loan.

 

and they added a PDL team on top of this? Doesn't seem good down there, spending money all over the place.

 

I'll throw this one to @kenntomasch (he's been around the block a few times):

The costs to run a PDL team are a drop in the bucket compared to the debt from their stadium or their current salary structure.

 

I also heard they got a discount on the PDL team FWIW.

At any rate our first game is tomorrow! The Hounds take on Orlando City @ Orlando. Kick off is 7:30pm. The game will be streamed live on Orlando's Youtube channel. I don't think we'll see any of the Dynamo loans start at this point, but we may see them subbed in. Keep in mind the USL allows for 5 subs.

 

You guys are going to love Ownby. He's MLS ready, but behind the two best outside mids in MLS in Boniek Garcia and Davis. He also has a very solid Andrew Driver in front of him on the depth chart. Cascio came in and to be frankly is just a better compliment to Boniek (who moved to central mid) and Davis in that he is a tall target for set pieces and a decent finisher from midfield.

Ownby's versatile as he played pretty well at right back in a pinch for Houston in the pre-season. So he may provide some depth for you guys there as well.

Isn't your right midfield one of your better players? I seem to recall a smaller guy who was whipping in crosses pretty well from the right when Pitt was in town.

Honestly, while it is probably pretty disappointing for Ownby -- he seemed to take the Richmond move and the playing time he received as a plus. He came back a better player. Another similar stint and I think HOU exercises his option to keep him during his fourth year (which still should be relatively cheap by MLS standards).

 

Dallman is our right mid who makes some amazing crosses and has really good chemistry with our striker Angulo.

 

To be honest, I have a different view of Ownby. He works hard and he is fast, but he doesn't have MLS starter quality (not yet anyway). He reminds me a bit of a guy who played for Chelsea 10+ years ago; Jesper Gronkjaer. Gronkjaer would blow past everybody with a burst of speed and bring the crowd to their feet, but it was always a let down as his final ball was generally poor.

Getting open down the sideline is meaningless if you can't put decent service into the box. That is Ownby right now.

 

I saw some pretty good crosses from him during the preseason. I would say his biggest weakness is confidence due to lack of play time at MLS level. The game I saw against the Scorpions wasn't great, but really none of the team played well so its hard to judge. In that game, I noticed he wasn't taking the initiative in the attack. His touch could also use a little polish, but its not bad. If he learns how to positionally defend, he will be a really good right back as well.

 

Ok....so he is Corey Ashe in your view. Still MLS quality, just should be at RB.

 

I posted a comment about how Lopez sould go to Pittsburgh on mlssoccer.com and they deleted it.

Basically I said this - Alex Lopez is not ready to even be a sub at the attacking or defending midfield role for the HD. At AM, Boniek and Garcia both are way ahead of him. At DM, Clark, Creavelle, and Carasco are all better at the position than him. Letting him sub in would be a disrespect to th other players listed their who have better pace, more confidence and better attitude than he does.

Lopez needs to play and play well. Pittsburgh would be ideal for him to grow but he probably threw a fit about going and now he doesn't even making the subs bench in Vancouver.

Alex talks about possibly going to the world cup in Brazil but he aint even gonna play in Houston if he doesn't get over himself.

I like Alex but Ithink he needs to walk before he can run with MLS 2014. He has got to get the confidence, toughness and quick thinking up to speed to handle bigger, faster, and more athletic players in MLS (compared to the Honduran domestic league). He could have started to do this with Pittsburg.

Ownby will be great for us as a right midfielder starter for us one day if Boniek grows in this AM role. He would be a good sub on either flank. Ownby has pace and attitude to overlap or take guys on in attack. His crossing has been better this year in my opinion. He should be staying here not Lopez.

 

How did arena and JJ look?

 

Ironically, Ashe's service has been pretty decent for the most part this season (including that beauty cross to Bruin for the goal against New England).

I would like to see what Ownby can do at right back. Really don't think he is ever going to see much time as a right sided midfielder with the Dynamo (although it it was up to me, I would try starting him there over Driver when Cascio is not available).

 

If we are still having this conversation in 6 months, Lopez is a bust. It feels like one already.

 

And do what with Kofi??? Sit him??? I think not. I'd rather see Ashe sit and try Ownby at LB. And how much longer does Davis really have??? At some point we're gonna need to cut some salary cap.