USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Riverhounds Travel to Open 2013 USL PRO Season

Published on April 5, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


WESTERN PA - The 2013 USL PRO season for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Richmond Kickers begins Saturday night at City Stadium in downtown Richmond. The first game of the season is extremely intense with the desire to earn three points, guaranteeing this match will be filled with individual battles, physical challenges, and possession-oriented attacks.

The Riverhounds are coming out of a "closed-doors" preseason at their brand new home in Highmark Stadium, located along the Monongahela River in Station Square. In seven preseason exhibition games, the Riverhounds won six games and tied one, highlighted by a 1-0 win against USL PRO regional rival, Rochester Rhinos.

Following a disappointing 2012 USL PRO season, the Riverhounds made several key off-season acquisitions to improve their depth at each position. With the signing of three proven veterans in center back Andrew Marshall, midfielder Felix 'Alfonso' Motagalvan, and forward Jhonny Arteaga, the Riverhounds have enhanced the team's overall dynamic on both sides of the ball. Marshall, Motagalvan and Arteaga join a core group of returning Riverhounds in Captain Rich Costanzo, outside defender Sterling Flunder, goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, and forward Mike Seth.

The Kickers are entering their 21st season as a professional Club and have had a successful off-season in acquiring talented players for their 2013 campaign. Leading the Kickers this season will be defender Henry Kalungi, midfielder Mike Callahan, and forward Jason Yeisley. Along with Kalungi, Callahan, and Yeisley, the Kickers will utilize their MLS affiliate D.C. United's players throughout the season through affiliate loan agreements. The Kickers will receive four players on loan from D.C. to help create a platform for USL and MLS players to compete at the highest level of professional soccer.

Outlook

With a clean slate heading in to the first game of the season, it is critical for both Clubs to begin the season with a quality result. Saturday's match will open with a fast pace, as both sides will look to play in the offensive third while applying pressure on the last line of defense. The team that capitalizes on the opposition's mistakes and controls the midfield should prevail victorious.

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