Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds resign a solid core from last season’s squad to help anchor their 2012 USL PRO campaign. The defensive stalwarts returning to wear the Riverhounds colors include: Louis Rolko, Shintaro Harada, Nikola Katic, Jason Kutney and Sterling Flunder. All signings are pending USSF approval.
A steady defensive force for the Riverhounds during the last two seasons at center-back, Rolko has been officially named captain for the 2012 squad. Rolko will lead the Hounds on and off the field. “Louie is a leader by nature and he showed his dedication to the team and organization with the work that he put in this off-season,” stated Head Coach Justin Evans. Rolko will again be an integral part of the Riverhounds usual stingy defense.
Japanese footballer and 11-year professional, Harada will remain in the center of the park for the Riverhounds. Harada’s tireless engine, physical challenges, and distribution of the ball will play a major role in the Riverhounds ability to make their opponents feel uncomfortable on the field.
Katic, the physical and hard-nosed Croatian defender, will enter his fourth professional season with the Riverhounds organization. His dedication to the Club, specifically within The Riverhounds Academy, has made him a fan-favorite in Pittsburgh. With the Hounds losing central defender, Kyle Veris, for the season due to injury, Katic will be looked at immediately to provide tenacity and experience at the back.
Returning for his eighth professional season, Kutney will rotate between defense and midfield this season for the Hounds, depending on the needs of the team. Kutney adds speed and versatility to the Riverhounds and will be instrumental in helping to create dangerous situations in the attacking third.
Flunder, a shutdown left-back, returns for his third professional season with the Hounds. Recording two goals in two seasons with the Riverhounds, Flunder is determined to create quality opportunities from the back-line and increase his offensive production in 2012. Flunder has dedicated a great deal of time during the off-season to increase his fitness and develop his attacking abilities.