Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release -- www.riverhounds.com
Friday, April 12, 2013
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will make soccer history this Saturday night, when they open Highmark Stadium at 8:00 PM against intra-state rival, the Harrisburg City Islanders. The magnitude surrounding the first leg of the Keystone Derby, an intense battle between the two Pennsylvania-based clubs, is at an all-time high, as a sold out crowd will completely fill the impressive venue for the very first time.
“The buzz around the City about Highmark Stadium and the organization brings me back to the franchise’s inaugural season in ’99,” said Head Coach Justin Evans on the historic match. “When you add the rivalry we have enjoyed with the City Islanders, it is certain to be a special night for soccer in Pittsburgh.”
Historically a fan favorite, the Keystone Derby is circled at the beginning of the season by both clubs as the battle for Pennsylvania bragging rights. Always an intense and physical contest, the Derby demands that each player competes against his marker for a full ninety minutes, with the majority of recent matchups decided by late goals.
With the Pittsburgh sports media fully embracing the event, the Riverhounds are fully aware of this unique opportunity to make a name for themselves in a major league sports town.
According to Riverhounds CEO and player, Jason Kutney, the match on Saturday night will serve as a platform for a growing club.
“Our group embarked upon a journey back in 2007 and that journey has led to Saturday night,” said Kutney as he walked through the facility on Thursday afternoon, evaluating still on-going final construction. “We’ll have thousands of spectators here on Saturday night, and in this moment, I can only hope that all of our hard work, energy, heart, and passion from the last several years will resonate with those in attendance.”
Saturday’s match will be played in front of approximately 4,000 fans, including a group of 50 who are making the trip from Harrisburg. Welcoming these visitors into the confines of Highmark Stadium will be a highly reinvigorated Steel Army. The official supporters group of the Riverhounds since 2008, the Army will officially take ownership of their 502 seat supporters section, located behind the east end goal. With intimate seating just feet from the touchline, the atmosphere will certainly be hostile for the City Islanders as they enter the Pittsburgh’s city limits for the first time for a match.
From live music performances to a ceremonial scarf giveaway to a post-match fireworks display presented by Pyrotecnico, Saturday will stand out in Pittsburgh sports history as a very special night.
Riverhounds Last Time Out
The Riverhounds opened their 2013 USL PRO season with a 0-0 draw last Saturday on the road against the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. Earning their first point in Richmond in four years, the Riverhounds look to build off of this result and bring an exciting new brand of possession-oriented attack to the City of Champions.
Riverhounds midfielder Ryan Kinne, defender Andrew Marshall, and goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap were recognized by the league with Team of the Week honors from their stellar performances against the Kickers. Kinne led the visiting side with an impressive seven shots, including a long-distance strike that beat Kickers goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, only to be denied by the woodwork in the 64th minute.
City Islanders Outlook
For the City Islanders, this will be the first match of the 2013 USL PRO season. The Isles return five key contributors from the 2012 campaign that went 9-7-7 and earned a ticket to the coveted post season for a third straight season. Goalkeeper Nick Noble, midfielders Andrew Welker and Jason Pelletier, along with forwards Sainey Touray and Lucky Mkosana will aim to lead the squad to another playoff berth.
The City Islanders will utilize their affiliation with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer with player loan agreements. The Isles have already secured Christian Hernandez, Jimmy McLaughlin, and Greg Jordan on loan from the Union for 2013.