The boys will finish up their preseason this Wednesday evening (7pm @ CMU) competing in a three team round robin with Duqensne and CMU.
Showing posts with label deighton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deighton. Show all posts
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds traveled to California University last night for a preseason friendly. The Hounds dominated the game, winning 5 nil. This brings the preseason totals to a staggering 4-0 with 12 goals scored and none conceded. Reigning rookie of the Year Jeremy Deighton led the way with a brace before limping off with an ankle injury late in the second half. The Hounds midfielders controlled play throughout a physical match. Other goals were scored by CB Kyle Veris and rookies Neil Shaffer and Matt Fondy. Keepers Hunter Gilstrap and Derek Yobbi shared the clean sheet.
USL Feature (taken from www.uslsoccer.com)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS
Coach: Justin Evans
2010 Season: Semifinals, USL-2
Key Departures – The Riverhounds had close to a perfect offseason, keeping the core of their squad together. According to Coach Justin Evans, no player of major significance has moved on, giving the club a chance to build on the success it found a season ago.
Key Returnees – At the center of that group is the defensive duo of 2010 USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year Hunter Gilstrap and 2010 USL-2 Defender of the Year Shintaro Harada. After giving up 20 goals in 20 games a season ago, the Riverhounds could have the ability to lower that figure to less than a goal a game this season.
Key Additions – The signing of Thabiso “Boyzzz” Khumalo is likely to add some additional scoring punch for the Riverhounds, and Khumalo could form a strong partnership with 2010 USL-2 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Deighton, who scored five goals in 13 games a season ago. Khumalo’s experience with D.C. United should pay dividends for the Riverhounds.
The Coach’s Opinion – “We are out to win the championship every single year. We are very hopeful that we have done enough in the off season to prepare ourselves to win the championship, as I expect so are the other teams at this point. It is going to be an exciting USL PRO summer of soccer.” – Justin Evans
If it all goes to plan – The Riverhounds certainly appear to be if not the favorite to win the National Division then certainly the co-favorite alongside the Rochester Rhinos. Pittsburgh does have a tricky start to the season with four of its first five games on the road, including a tasty rematch of last season’s USL-2 semifinal against Richmond to open, but if it can get through that passage in good shape a division title could be there for the taking.
Well, not much to report I am afraid...the match was kind of sloppy. The Hounds didn't do too much in the first half and guys look tired, probably from training so hard over the first four days of camp! It's a bit insane to think that they've only been in camp for 4 days and have had 2 games, but they're up against the start of the season and need to get into game shape fast...
1st half lineup looked like this (classic 4-4-2)
GK - Hunter
RB - Seth
CB - Rolko
CB - Veris
LB - Flunder
RM - Gray
CM - Shin
CM - Shaffer
LM - Tuttle
RF - Severs
LF - Boyzzz
Seth played decent at RB, I've underestimated the kid. He looked smooth and composed but had a few vision problems missing Tommy's runs, instead looking to go across the pitch to Tuttle. Neil Shaffer played the entire game at CM. Shin was a beast as usual, but he and Neil didn't have much chemistry which is understandable. I thought that Neil got better and better as the game progressed. Tommy Gray made a few nice runs through the RMU defenders in the 1st half, only to see that final ball fail. Boyzzz and Severs didn't do too much up top in the 1st half aside from a nice volley that Boyzzz almost scored on (keeper made a great save). Tuttle and Boyzzz were closer to being on the same page as opposed to Sunday vs Pitt. Rolko and Veris were solid. Flunder looks a bit slow and out of shape at this point but I am not worried. He was strong down the left flank last season.
We attacked more in the 2nd half and had some quality chances. Deighton continues to be our biggest threat so far in the pre-season. He came on with another new forward who we couldn't identify, might have been the new kid from FCD. Regardless, those two played well off each other and created more than the guys in the 1st half. Horner came on for Shin in the 2nd half and did okay. Shaffer took more control of the midfield in the 2nd half which was nice to see. Niko came on to play CB and Shin dropped back as his partner. There was a young kid playing LW who looked a bit tentative, he didn't do much. On the RW we had a fast kid who I didn't recognize. He had pace and made a few nice plays.
I left a bit early, at that point it was still nil to nil. Not sure how it ended up. I'll update the score as soon as I get the official word.
1st half lineup looked like this (classic 4-4-2)
GK - Hunter
RB - Seth
CB - Rolko
CB - Veris
LB - Flunder
RM - Gray
CM - Shin
CM - Shaffer
LM - Tuttle
RF - Severs
LF - Boyzzz
Seth played decent at RB, I've underestimated the kid. He looked smooth and composed but had a few vision problems missing Tommy's runs, instead looking to go across the pitch to Tuttle. Neil Shaffer played the entire game at CM. Shin was a beast as usual, but he and Neil didn't have much chemistry which is understandable. I thought that Neil got better and better as the game progressed. Tommy Gray made a few nice runs through the RMU defenders in the 1st half, only to see that final ball fail. Boyzzz and Severs didn't do too much up top in the 1st half aside from a nice volley that Boyzzz almost scored on (keeper made a great save). Tuttle and Boyzzz were closer to being on the same page as opposed to Sunday vs Pitt. Rolko and Veris were solid. Flunder looks a bit slow and out of shape at this point but I am not worried. He was strong down the left flank last season.
We attacked more in the 2nd half and had some quality chances. Deighton continues to be our biggest threat so far in the pre-season. He came on with another new forward who we couldn't identify, might have been the new kid from FCD. Regardless, those two played well off each other and created more than the guys in the 1st half. Horner came on for Shin in the 2nd half and did okay. Shaffer took more control of the midfield in the 2nd half which was nice to see. Niko came on to play CB and Shin dropped back as his partner. There was a young kid playing LW who looked a bit tentative, he didn't do much. On the RW we had a fast kid who I didn't recognize. He had pace and made a few nice plays.
I left a bit early, at that point it was still nil to nil. Not sure how it ended up. I'll update the score as soon as I get the official word.
Update - Apparently we scored late and won the game 1 to nil. Might have been rookie Matt Fondy credited with the goal. So, the guy playing up top with Deighton must have been Fondy.
Hunter Gilstrap has been excellent all season. It's really no surprise to see him once again honored on the USL's second division team of the week after posting another shutout vs Real Maryland. Nathan Salsi got the start at his preferred CB position last week with Shintaro out of the lineup and didn't disappoint by playing solid defense and slotting home a corner. Jeremy Deighton had another strong game last week. The kid is really using his size well and scored a fantastic goal. He took a long ball off his chest, shielded his defender and rifled a left-footed volley into the back of the net.
We take on Harrisburg tonight at 7pm. A win pretty much locks up a playoff spot. UNLEASH THE HOUNDS!
Picture of Nathan Salsi courtesy
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
