
Hounds Set to Welcome USL Academy League to Highmark Stadium for 1st Time
July 13, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
The United Soccer League kicked off its brand new Academy League in 2021, and now the Riverhounds Development Academy will get a chance to bring the action to Highmark Stadium.
As a new addition after previously launching the USL Academy Cup, the Academy League's goal is to provide elite youth talent from across the USL landscape with an additional opportunity to compete at a high level while digging a clear youth-to-professional path in each USL club community.
The Hounds came away with a loss and a draw on the road in their first two matches against Indianapolis and Dayton, respectively, and they are looking to get their first win when they host the first two of three home matches, the first on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Louisville City FC. The team plays again Saturday at 2 p.m. against another Kentucky team, Kings Hammer FC, in a match that will be a warm-up for the pro team's match at 7 p.m. against Loudoun United FC.
"We're very excited," Hounds Academy midfielder Gabe Norris said. "You can't beat the professional atmosphere here at Highmark Stadium. It's very fitting for a league such as USL Academy."
In preparation for the start of the USL Academy League, the Hounds first brought together players from various age groups from the birthyear 2002-06 age groups in order to make one, cohesive team.
Norris, being a center midfielder ready to head to college as a 2003 birth-year player, indicated the struggles the team has faced due to the age differences when preparing for each game.
"It's been difficult," Norris said. "Our youngest guys have 2005 birth years. We've had to take them under our wing and introduce them to the fast-paced game that they may not have experienced yet."
Oliver Daboo, a 2005 left back, had similar thoughts on the matter.
"It'll always be a challenge," Daboo said. "But we all play for the same club. We know the style of play that the coaches expect from us, we know what the older kids expect from us, and we are going to deliver."
That showed in the team's two June matches, as they got better as the match progressed in the 4-1 loss to Indy Eleven before taking the 2-2 draw at the Dayton Dutch Lions with a more connected effort.
That mixture of youth and experience now has had even more time to train together. And the next time out on Wednesday, the Hounds will be on home turf with the beautiful backdrop of downtown Pittsburgh on display.
MATCH INFORMATION
vs. Louisville City FC
Date: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Free
Live Updates: @HoundsAcademy
vs. Kings Hammer FC
Date: Saturday, July 17
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Free (tickets required for Pro Team match at 7 p.m.)
Live Updates: @HoundsAcademy
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 13, 2021
- Rowdies Held at Bay by Hartford in 1-0 Defeat - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Dodson's Opener Seals Athletic's First Win at Al Lang Stadium - Hartford Athletic
- SD Loyal Is Back to USL Championship Action When It Hosts Orange County SC - San Diego Loyal
- USL Statement: COVID-19 Test Results - July 13, 2021 - USL
- Republic FC Acquire Forward Jerome Kiesewetter on Loan from FC Tulsa - Sacramento Republic FC
- FC Tulsa Loans Forward Jerome Kiesewetter to Sacramento Republic FC for 2021 Season - FC Tulsa
- Legion FC Academy Team Wins First-Ever Match - Birmingham Legion FC
- Hounds Set to Welcome USL Academy League to Highmark Stadium for 1st Time - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Kibunguchy Red Card Rescinded Following Club Appeal - Sacramento Republic FC
- Christiano François Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Miami FC
- Goalkeeper Kyle Morton Named USL Championship Player of the Week - Memphis 901 FC
- Memphis 901 FC's Kyle Morton voted Player of the Week after eight-save shutout in Birmingham - USL
- Match Preview: Las Vegas Lights FC V Sacramento Republic FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- FC Tulsa to Offer $1 Hot Dogs at ONEOK Field on Saturday for Black Gold Derby - FC Tulsa
- USL Championship Discipline Report - Week 13 - USL
- Rising's Match against Oakland Roots Postponed - Phoenix Rising FC
- Tacoma Defiance's Match on Saturday at Oakland Roots SC Postponed - Tacoma Defiance
- Important Information Regarding this Week's Games - Oakland Roots
- What to Watch for with LouCity vs. OKC Energy FC - Louisville City FC
- Battery Fall 2-1 in Hard-Fought Road Battle against New Mexico - Charleston Battery
- United Earn First Victory against Eastern Conference Opponent, 2-1 over Charleston Battery - New Mexico United
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
