Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com
Thursday, April 7, 2011
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds open the 2011 USL PRO season in Richmond squaring off against the Kickers (1-0-0). The Riverhounds return to City Stadium for a rematch of last year’s semifinal playoff game, which ended the Hounds’ season. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. kick-off.
The Riverhounds head to Richmond with a healthy and talented first team. Coach Justin Evans is returning 11 core players from last year’s squad and has added some experience through his off-season acquisitions.
Returning for the Riverhounds from last year’s squad are 2010 USL Goalkeeper of the Year Hunter Gilstrap, Defender of the Year Shintaro Harada and Rookie of the Year Jeremy Deighton. 2011 also sees the return of defenders Jason Kutney, Louie Rolko, Sterling Flunder, Nikola Katic and Mike Seth, midfielder Tommy Gray and Matt Tuttle and forward Chad Severs.
Pittsburgh has also added experience, with Thabiso ‘Boyzzz’ Khumalo, Kyle Veris, Jason Yeisley and Sammy Appiah all having appeared in Major League Soccer. There are also some rookies, with Ben Horner, Matt Fondy, Neil Shaffer, Greg Blum, Derek Yobbi, Stefan Lundberg and Jason Straw all entering their first professional season.
Richmond is playing in its second game of the 2011 season, coming off a 2-0 home win last weekend against Orlando City. The Kickers are returning many quality players from 2010, including Offensive MVP Matt Delicâte, goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale, and midfielders Luke Vercollone and Mike Burke. The Kickers have added a few talented players themselves in the off-season to strengthen their team and increase their depth.
The meeting between the Riverhounds and Kickers has drawn quite a bit of attention and should bring an intense atmosphere to Richmond’s City Stadium.
"After last week’s performance, the team is full of confidence; however, we recognize Pittsburgh will be a difficult match-up,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “They return nearly all of their starters and have added several quality players. They were one of our toughest opponents last year and we expect an even harder challenge this season.”
LA Blues 23 will compete as a professional team in 2011, operating as a reserve squad for the Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO. The setup is similar to that of the Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS, who also operate a professional team in the PDL in addition to a team operating in a USSF-sanctioned pro league. LA Blues 23 has assumed the 2011 PDL schedule originally announced for Hollywood United, with minor adjustments. The Blues will play the majority of their schedule at Stadium by the Sea in Pacific Palisades.
A total of 13 players have returned for the 2011 Eagles, including nine-year veteran Josh Rife and team captain Greg Dalby. The returning core has enough experience playing together to form a strong defense and talented and deep midfield.
The Lions are looking to rebound from their season opening 2-0 loss to American Division rival the Richmond Kickers. After the disappointing road result, Head Coach Adrian Heath expects a much-improved performance.
Forward Stefan Smith, attacking midfielders Tamarly ‘Ziggy’ Thomas, Kimoi Alexander and Quinton Griffith, defenders Dave ‘Littleman’ Carr and Roy Gregory as well as Goalkeeper Molvin James all agreed professional terms with the Antigua-based outfit.
The club announced today that it will wear a special kit for its opening USL PRO match at Orlando City this Saturday night in an effort to raise money for those victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The team will raise money for the Red Cross Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Fund.
“This agreement is a major step for USL as we continue to raise the profile of our leagues and teams and maintain our longstanding relationship with FOX Soccer,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “We are extremely pleased that fans of USL PRO, the PDL and the W-League will have the opportunity to watch the top teams and players in the league throughout the next three seasons.”
"Sydney has always had a special attachment to Whitecaps FC, so we’re very pleased to welcome her back to her hometown club,” said Whitecaps FC women’s head coach Hubert Busby Jr. “Sydney brings power and pace to our attack-minded squad. She’s got a great attitude towards the game and is a proven winner."
Richmond dominated the opening proceedings, creating numerous chances in front of the Pittsburgh goal. Edson Elcock nearly broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when he headed into the side netting from Luke Vercollone’s cross, but there were few other opportunities of note before the break.
“It wasn’t the best performance, but you look up and it’s 1-0 and we got the three points. You could tell we had some nerves out there,” said Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “Overall though I am very pleased with the team’s performance and of course the result.”
Making its USL PRO debut, Puerto Rico United wanted to try and start strongly, but as the first half progressed Sevilla was able to take more control of the game. But while both sides were trying to attack, United managing to break on the counter, neither side was able to create a dangerous chance before the break.
During the first 40 minutes, both teams were playing tough defense as the offenses struggled to find good opportunities. Multiple shots by the New York forwards along with Orlando’s Jamie Watson sailed high and wide. Towards the end of the first half, though, Orlando took control.
"We are extremely excited with the return of Jasmine and Christina," remarked W-League head coach Dom Oliveri. "Both are International caliber players who have graduated from our Fury youth program. They have had a tremendous impact with our team over the last couple of seasons and we look forward to that continuing in 2011.
Delicâte scored on a volley with three minutes to go to lift the Kickers to victory. The goal was his second in as many games, and gave his side two wins out of two as they enter this Friday’s game against the Rochester Rhinos at City Stadium.
Angulo turned pro right out of high school after an impressive career at national powerhouse St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey. It was at St. Benedict's that Angulo first teamed up with current Islanders midfielder Nelson Becerra. During his high school career, he was a Parade All-American and was considered by many college coaches to be one of the top high school players in the country. After pursuing opportunities with MLS clubs and in Europe, Angulo made one appearance for the Newark Ironbound Express of the PDL in 2009. He played the following season with the PDL's Central Jersey Spartans (again, teaming up with Becerra) where he netted 10 goals on the season. Angulo's skill in the attack will provide the City Islanders with another goal-scoring threat.
Every week the club will highlight one of these alumni with an exclusive Q&A. Last week, we highlighted Sporting Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong. This week, our Assistant GM, Ryan Lineaweaver, spoke with Chivas USA defender, and Lancaster, Pa. native, Zarek Valentin.
In the upcoming edition of the tournament, the PDL will be represented by a record nine clubs after seven consecutive years with eight representatives. With nine berths available, the league will send one from each division based on four league contests that will double as qualification matches – a format long established by the parent United Soccer Leagues.
"The addition of the U12 age group offers member clubs an outlet for their U12 teams who are increasingly competing on a regional basis through tournament play and in other programs," Senior Director of Youth League Development Brian D’Amico said. "By offering a U12 age group in the SYL, we will give the younger players who already train at a competitive level, the opportunity to compete against other competitive clubs within our league."