The Riverhounds head down route 79 tonight to take on West Virginia University in what is most likely their last major pre-season match before the USL2 season officially gets under way. In 2008 pre-season the Riverhounds beat the Mountaineers 2-1 and hope to repeat this year.

After a snowy 1-nil loss to Slippery Rock University on Monday night the Riverhounds fall to 0-2-1 for their pre-season. (Word is there might have been a win against a U-21 or U-18 side in there but let's not go there.) With Zach Varga (#0) resigned as starting goalkeeper for the Riverhounds, the squad is still trialling several keepers.

From a scoring perspective, Guyana native Randolf Jerome has been the highlight of the pre-season. Jerome (#18) has scored twice for the Riverhounds against both California University and the University of Pittsburgh. Jerome had 13 appearances and 1 goal last season for the Cleveland City Stars (booooo!). And according to Wikipedia, he's made an appearance for the Guyana national team at the age of 21. (We'll get some confirmation there.)

Sometimes to look at the pre-season realistically. Of course we'd love to see the Hounds clean up against every collegiate opponent they take on but when you stop to think the team is fielding and trying out some players just a year out of college themselves its easy to see where the team can founder in these early matches.

The Riverhounds head to Maryland in just eight days to take on the Monarchs. That's when the real action gets under way. Starts as two on the road for the Riverhounds and then we get to welcome them back to Chartiers Valley when the 2009 Hounds take on Crystal Palace Baltimore.