We've been calling for Tupi since seeing him kick a few guys during the exhibition season, but Nikola Katic hadn't had a start through the first six games. After taking a beating in Charlotte on Friday, Riverhounds manager Gene Klein gave a few guys the night off in Wilmington. This opened the door for Katic, Tony Labudovski and Tommy Gray to get their first starts of the season. The rookie trio did not disappoint! Labudovski bagged a goal and assisted on another while Tommy added an insurance goal to secure full points. However, it may have been the physical Katic who was most impressive playing center defensive midfield in a 4-5-1 formation.
"He won tackles, headers and moved the ball well," explained midfielder Jason Kutney, "Niko played really well."
The Riverhounds have another weekend off before hosting Bermuda on Thursday, June 11th and then Richmond the following Sunday evening, June 14th.
Showing posts with label players. Show all posts
Showing posts with label players. Show all posts
He’s played 87 regular season and 11 playoff games in the MLS (Major League Soccer) for Chicago, Columbus, Dallas and New York. He’s made 21 appearances for his native Uganda. But before all that, Tenywa ‘T-Bone’ Bonseu was a Riverhound. Tenywa joins midfielder Justin Evans as the second of the original Hounds to return to Pittsburgh ten years after their inaugural season.
The 6'1, 185-pound Ugandan international, know for his durability and versatility, is back to bolster an improved Hounds squad. T-Bone can deploy as a center-back, right-back or defensive midfielder which should give manager Gene Klein plenty of options. With returning stars Nathan Salsi and Eddie Hayden, along with newcomer Nikola Katic, the Riverhounds will field a group of physically imposing defenders. League forwards take note: the fee to play inside the box will be payable in blood.
UP THE HOUNDS!!!
I recently caught up with Steel Army favorite, Jeff Hughes, and asked him about this past offseason…
Jeff kept his skills sharp and fitness level up by playing professionally for Cincinnati 1790, an indoor club that competes in the PASL-Pro league. He bagged 21 goals and added 6 assists in just 15 games. After a very successful expansion season, his club lost in the championship game to Stockport by a score of 13-5. He did score one of his team’s five in the loss, but it was little consolation.
“Indoor was great [because] it helped me get back into form after a not-so-great season last year and improved upon my speed of play and tackling…”
Hughes’ 2008 Riverhounds campaign was interrupted by knee surgery to repair some ligament damage. Although successful, the surgery put him on the sidelines for an extended period of time. He worked hard, stayed fit and was able to make it back on the pitch by the end of season.
This year brings a new challenge as the Hounds look to improve on their 7th place finish, which saw them fall just short of the USL2 playoffs.
“I’m having a solid pre-season…nothing to write home about but solid and getting back into the swing of things”
Good luck Mr. Hughes, the Army is behind you!
Jeff kept his skills sharp and fitness level up by playing professionally for Cincinnati 1790, an indoor club that competes in the PASL-Pro league. He bagged 21 goals and added 6 assists in just 15 games. After a very successful expansion season, his club lost in the championship game to Stockport by a score of 13-5. He did score one of his team’s five in the loss, but it was little consolation.
“Indoor was great [because] it helped me get back into form after a not-so-great season last year and improved upon my speed of play and tackling…”
Hughes’ 2008 Riverhounds campaign was interrupted by knee surgery to repair some ligament damage. Although successful, the surgery put him on the sidelines for an extended period of time. He worked hard, stayed fit and was able to make it back on the pitch by the end of season.
This year brings a new challenge as the Hounds look to improve on their 7th place finish, which saw them fall just short of the USL2 playoffs.
“I’m having a solid pre-season…nothing to write home about but solid and getting back into the swing of things”
Good luck Mr. Hughes, the Army is behind you!
10 games played and a league leading 22 fouls committed. Ryan Caugherty, central defensive midfielder for the Riverhounds FC, has been terrorizing the opposition all season.
It’s been a strange transformation for a player who’s been an offensive force. In 2005, the Kansas City Wizards selected Ryan with the 47th pick in the MLS Supplemental draft, but he choose to play overseas. He signed with Boldklubben 1909, a Danish football club playing in the 2nd division. In front of the Odense supporters, he made an immediate impact taking Man of the Match in his first five starts. He ended the 2005 season with 11 goals in 31 games where he also spent time with Boldklubben 1913.
In 2006 he signed on with Swedish club Bodens BK and suffered a career-threatening ankle injury. After a remarkable recovery, he ended the season with 5 goals in only ten games.
So when a player of his caliber has no goals in 10 games you have to wonder what’s been going on. Out of need, he has taken on more of a defensive role with the Hounds this season.
He’s changed from an attacking player into a defensive beast. Running down loose balls, challenging forwards, distributing the ball from the back half of the pitch and shutting down the opposition’s passing lanes have become his forte. You can compare his game to that of New England’s stellar defensive midfielder Shalrie Joseph.
Ryan has been the ultimate team player this year for the Hounds; swapping goal-scoring glory for a hardhat and lunch pail. More importantly, he’s sending a painful message to the league’s forwards…
Caugherty has been tagged ‘The Korean Assassin’ by the Steel Army faithful.
It’s been a strange transformation for a player who’s been an offensive force. In 2005, the Kansas City Wizards selected Ryan with the 47th pick in the MLS Supplemental draft, but he choose to play overseas. He signed with Boldklubben 1909, a Danish football club playing in the 2nd division. In front of the Odense supporters, he made an immediate impact taking Man of the Match in his first five starts. He ended the 2005 season with 11 goals in 31 games where he also spent time with Boldklubben 1913.
In 2006 he signed on with Swedish club Bodens BK and suffered a career-threatening ankle injury. After a remarkable recovery, he ended the season with 5 goals in only ten games.
So when a player of his caliber has no goals in 10 games you have to wonder what’s been going on. Out of need, he has taken on more of a defensive role with the Hounds this season.
He’s changed from an attacking player into a defensive beast. Running down loose balls, challenging forwards, distributing the ball from the back half of the pitch and shutting down the opposition’s passing lanes have become his forte. You can compare his game to that of New England’s stellar defensive midfielder Shalrie Joseph.
Ryan has been the ultimate team player this year for the Hounds; swapping goal-scoring glory for a hardhat and lunch pail. More importantly, he’s sending a painful message to the league’s forwards…
Caugherty has been tagged ‘The Korean Assassin’ by the Steel Army faithful.
Thabiso "Boyzzz" Khumalo was named to the USL Second Division's Team of the Week for the second time this season. Boyzzz was instrumental in both games last weekend. He controlled the pace and pushed the attack, recording 5 shots against Charlotte as the Hounds tied the first place club, and then added a goal and assist versus Wilmington the next night.
The Hounds went out and picked up a 3rd keeper this week, former ACC standout and New England Revolution pick Phil Marfuggi.
Phil will compete with keepers Andy Keszler and Zach Varga for time between the pipes.
In 2005: First-team All-American by Soccer America and soccertimes.com...third -team All-American by collegesoccernews.com...had a 0.85 goal allowed average in 2005 and finished the year with 89 saves....first team All-ACC...fifth for most career saves with 175...had 11 saves against Old Dominion on September 11...named the Old Dominion Tournament MVP...had nine saves against Wake Forest on October 12...did not allow a goal in four NCAA Tournament games...set a new Clemson single-tournament record for most solo shutouts in the NCAA Tournament...had eight solo shutouts for the season...named to the Soccer America Team of the Week on September 12. -- courtesy Clemsontigers.cstv.com
Standing at 6'2" and weighing 185 lbs, Nathan Salsi is a big man on the pitch, an imposing figure. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds' starting center back and team captain is well on his way to being named All-USL Division 2 for the third time in four seasons.
During last week's road opener in Cleveland, the City Stars could not generate much offense due, in part, to Nathan's solid play at center back. The Stars were held to only five shots on goal despite being up a man for almost forty minutes in the second half. Salsi, along with defenders Jason Kutney, Eddie Hayden and Greg Janicki dominated the back 3rd of the pitch. Crosses wouldn't work and the Stars couldn't penetrate the penalty area. They resorted to crashing into and interfering with Hounds' keeper Andy Keszler to tie the game on a play that should have resulted in a foul on Star's forward Randolph Jerome.
The rest of the game featured Cleveland playing sloppy, skill-less long-ball. The Riverhounds did a remarkable job protecting their end and kept the Stars from scoring through full-time. After ninety minutes, the scoreboard displayed one goal a piece for the Hounds and Stars. A road tie, down a man in their first league game since 2006, was an acceptable outcome.
However, the referee signaled five minutes extra time, which is considerable. The Stars were able to net the winner before the final whistle despite the Riverhounds hard-nosed defending.
Nathan was awarded a place on this week's USL-2 Team of the Week for his efforts.
During last week's road opener in Cleveland, the City Stars could not generate much offense due, in part, to Nathan's solid play at center back. The Stars were held to only five shots on goal despite being up a man for almost forty minutes in the second half. Salsi, along with defenders Jason Kutney, Eddie Hayden and Greg Janicki dominated the back 3rd of the pitch. Crosses wouldn't work and the Stars couldn't penetrate the penalty area. They resorted to crashing into and interfering with Hounds' keeper Andy Keszler to tie the game on a play that should have resulted in a foul on Star's forward Randolph Jerome.
The rest of the game featured Cleveland playing sloppy, skill-less long-ball. The Riverhounds did a remarkable job protecting their end and kept the Stars from scoring through full-time. After ninety minutes, the scoreboard displayed one goal a piece for the Hounds and Stars. A road tie, down a man in their first league game since 2006, was an acceptable outcome.
However, the referee signaled five minutes extra time, which is considerable. The Stars were able to net the winner before the final whistle despite the Riverhounds hard-nosed defending.
Nathan was awarded a place on this week's USL-2 Team of the Week for his efforts.
It never really occurred to me during my playing days, how much of an impact competition and teamwork had on all aspects of my life. As I get older I realize that organized sports taught me some very important life lessons; how to win humbly, how to lose, how to function within a team and how to dedicate myself to succeed...
Unfortunately there are kids out there who may never learn these important lessons through sports, because they don't have all of the same opportunities that I had growing up. This past Monday, as I sat in the Junior Ballroom at the Radisson Greentree listening to partial owner Jay Hill speak at a 'Meet the Hounds' event, a few things really got my attention:
- Kids who cannot afford shin guards and shoes are going to get shin guards and shoes
- Kids who cannot afford to train are going to train at our academies
It became clear that this ownership group wasn't out to make a quick buck or possess something to showcase...they genuinely care about soccer in Western Pennsylvania. They want to help the sport grow and succeed and have committed themselves to the community. One of the next speakers (Jason Kutney - Riverhounds defender and partial owner) hammered home these same points...he emphasized how dedicated this ownership group and organization as a whole are to making this all work.
Talk is cheap though, right? Show me the goods...that's what I always say!
After a series of presentations ended the Hounds players mingled with guests and I had an eye opening conversation with one player in particular. Ryan Caugherty comes home after spending several seasons in Europe; he's a Penn Hills graduate and played 4 years in the ACC conference for Wake Forest. He's had some really cool experiences overseas, so if you ever get the chance to rap with him take it! Long story short, this guy has it all right. He's dedicated himself to the sport. He loves the game. He feeds off the passion of the supporters and fans. Most importantly, he gives back to the sport that gave him all these things. I'm not too sure what Jason Kutney and management had to do to convince Ryan to come home, but he's here now and we're lucky to have him back for the summer.
So while we watch our beloved Hounds this season, take the time to look around the stands. If you see some kids, be friendly. Talk to them. Ask them questions. Make them feel at home. Be an ambassador for the game! These kids are the future of soccer in Western PA, we all have an important role in the big picture.
Unfortunately there are kids out there who may never learn these important lessons through sports, because they don't have all of the same opportunities that I had growing up. This past Monday, as I sat in the Junior Ballroom at the Radisson Greentree listening to partial owner Jay Hill speak at a 'Meet the Hounds' event, a few things really got my attention:
- Kids who cannot afford shin guards and shoes are going to get shin guards and shoes
- Kids who cannot afford to train are going to train at our academies
It became clear that this ownership group wasn't out to make a quick buck or possess something to showcase...they genuinely care about soccer in Western Pennsylvania. They want to help the sport grow and succeed and have committed themselves to the community. One of the next speakers (Jason Kutney - Riverhounds defender and partial owner) hammered home these same points...he emphasized how dedicated this ownership group and organization as a whole are to making this all work.
Talk is cheap though, right? Show me the goods...that's what I always say!
After a series of presentations ended the Hounds players mingled with guests and I had an eye opening conversation with one player in particular. Ryan Caugherty comes home after spending several seasons in Europe; he's a Penn Hills graduate and played 4 years in the ACC conference for Wake Forest. He's had some really cool experiences overseas, so if you ever get the chance to rap with him take it! Long story short, this guy has it all right. He's dedicated himself to the sport. He loves the game. He feeds off the passion of the supporters and fans. Most importantly, he gives back to the sport that gave him all these things. I'm not too sure what Jason Kutney and management had to do to convince Ryan to come home, but he's here now and we're lucky to have him back for the summer.
So while we watch our beloved Hounds this season, take the time to look around the stands. If you see some kids, be friendly. Talk to them. Ask them questions. Make them feel at home. Be an ambassador for the game! These kids are the future of soccer in Western PA, we all have an important role in the big picture.
More of a 'meet-up' than a meeting but it's amazing the people you run into when you're down at Piper's Pub for a few hours.
Lot's of international play yesterday - the U.S. beat Poland in Krakow. England got beat by France. So needless to say, a few members of Steel Army were sporting kits. On their way out of the pub three guys stopped to say hi and chat about the results. Both groups were in for a bit of a surprise when the introductions started because who did we get to meet?
Pittsburgh Riverhound forward Jeff Hughes and keepers Andrew Keszler and Zach Varga!
Fresh into town Jeff and Andrew were brought down to Pittsburgh's football-central by Zach for some dinner and to check the place out. We were sure to fill them in on all the details that make Piper's the place to be in Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch English footie.
(You're invited down any weekend guys, just be sure to introduce yourself to Drew and Tony!)
We all got a little inside scoop on when the rest of the 2008 Riverhounds squad will officially be showing up in Pittsburgh and assured the guys that there would be a Steel Army presence at the upcoming exhibition matches. Click here for some Steel Army info on the exhibition matches.
The players got a look at the 'chant sheet' that's been put together over the last few weeks and all had a good laugh. By now Kutney has probably gotten some stick for being a "super-star" even before the season starts! Hey, for a while it seemed like Jason was going to be the entire starting 11.
Next week be on the lookout here on the Steel Army blog for exclusive video and match reports as the 2008 Pittsburgh Riverhounds pre-season officially gets underway.
COME JOIN THE FAMILY
Lot's of international play yesterday - the U.S. beat Poland in Krakow. England got beat by France. So needless to say, a few members of Steel Army were sporting kits. On their way out of the pub three guys stopped to say hi and chat about the results. Both groups were in for a bit of a surprise when the introductions started because who did we get to meet?
Pittsburgh Riverhound forward Jeff Hughes and keepers Andrew Keszler and Zach Varga!
Fresh into town Jeff and Andrew were brought down to Pittsburgh's football-central by Zach for some dinner and to check the place out. We were sure to fill them in on all the details that make Piper's the place to be in Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch English footie.
(You're invited down any weekend guys, just be sure to introduce yourself to Drew and Tony!)
We all got a little inside scoop on when the rest of the 2008 Riverhounds squad will officially be showing up in Pittsburgh and assured the guys that there would be a Steel Army presence at the upcoming exhibition matches. Click here for some Steel Army info on the exhibition matches.
The players got a look at the 'chant sheet' that's been put together over the last few weeks and all had a good laugh. By now Kutney has probably gotten some stick for being a "super-star" even before the season starts! Hey, for a while it seemed like Jason was going to be the entire starting 11.
Next week be on the lookout here on the Steel Army blog for exclusive video and match reports as the 2008 Pittsburgh Riverhounds pre-season officially gets underway.
COME JOIN THE FAMILY
It's been a busy Saturday of signing announcements for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Three separate press releases feature players spread across the pitch - striker “Boyzzz” Khumalo, midfielders Travis MacKenzie and Jeff Hughes, defender John Liersemann and finally keeper Andrew Keszler.
The signings bring tremendous talent and local history to the team.
MacKenzie's brother Derek played for the Hounds in 2006 and Travis is a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School (the Hounds 2008 home field) and Duquesne University. Their father was also a player for MISL Pittsburgh Spirit. (All three of the MacKenzie clan can also be found playing for a certain local pub's pick-up matches throughout the summer.)
A native of Soweto, South Africa, Khumalo was a draft pick of Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire. He spent '04 and '05 with the Charleston Battery where he played in USL-1 with fellow Hound Jason Kutney. In '06 he played for the Wilmington Hammerheads, he goes up against his former squad (away) for the first time on May 8th. The Hammerheads visit Pittsburgh on Saturday June 21st.
Hughes will also be going up against his former team with Boyzzz! The new Hounds midfielder joined the Hammerheads in 2006 after a stint with Bundesliga club TSV 1860 München.
Joining Kutney on the back line, Liersemann was a four-year starter at the University of Cincinnati where he scored 7 times for the Bearcats.
As for keeper Andrew Keszler, we'll let his abilities speak for themselves.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
Read more about the 2008 Riverhounds and join the discussion.
The signings bring tremendous talent and local history to the team.
MacKenzie's brother Derek played for the Hounds in 2006 and Travis is a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School (the Hounds 2008 home field) and Duquesne University. Their father was also a player for MISL Pittsburgh Spirit. (All three of the MacKenzie clan can also be found playing for a certain local pub's pick-up matches throughout the summer.)
A native of Soweto, South Africa, Khumalo was a draft pick of Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire. He spent '04 and '05 with the Charleston Battery where he played in USL-1 with fellow Hound Jason Kutney. In '06 he played for the Wilmington Hammerheads, he goes up against his former squad (away) for the first time on May 8th. The Hammerheads visit Pittsburgh on Saturday June 21st.
Hughes will also be going up against his former team with Boyzzz! The new Hounds midfielder joined the Hammerheads in 2006 after a stint with Bundesliga club TSV 1860 München.
Joining Kutney on the back line, Liersemann was a four-year starter at the University of Cincinnati where he scored 7 times for the Bearcats.
As for keeper Andrew Keszler, we'll let his abilities speak for themselves.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
Read more about the 2008 Riverhounds and join the discussion.
