What is a football supporter? It’s a question that non-football fans ask me from time to time and it’s difficult to verbalize. I guess the simplest definition that I can give is this: A football supporter is any individual who displays allegiance to a football club. The tricky part is trying to put into words the passion that forges an allegiance and the bond that exists between the individual and the club. It’s more than being a fan or rooting for a favorite player. It’s something deep down that twists and squeezes your insides for 90 minutes during a match. It’s the elation and agony that accompanies a team over the course of a season. It’s the willingness to stand behind a franchise, year after year, regardless of success.

Since the turn of the century, when the phenomenon began in Britain, colored scarves have been traditional supporter wear for fans of soccer clubs around the world. These scarves come in a wide variety of sizes, are made in a club's particular colors and may contain the club crest or various slogans relating to the history of the club. After the ball, the supporter’s scarf is the most recognizable symbol of the sport and is proudly worn as a badge of honor.

In what is to be a crucial game for both The Hounds and the Islanders, both teams will have more to worry about than just their opponents. Isolated thunderstorms are expected for Bridgeville starting at around 2 PM and continuing for the rest of the day. That means players fans and even reporters are going to have to adjust to the weather conditions, at Chartiers Valley Stadium. Of course the crowd will be a big obstacle for the visiting Islanders as well. Non stop noise is expected from the entire stadium but it has been especially loud behind the visiting bench. The Hounds will have to concentrate on the game itself despite needing a win from Wilmington over Western Mass, to stay within striking distance of the 6th and final playoff spot. Normally Harrisburg would be seen as heavy favorites coming into a match like this, the City Islanders have a firm hold on a playoff spot, are the defending champions and sit 11 points above the Riverhounds. Recent form however suggests otherwise, The Hounds are riding a 3 match home winning streak, and Boyzzz (3 goals in his last two games, as well as USL 2 player of the week) looks to be in top form. Then theres the Islanders who have jumped out to leads in each of their last two matches, only to see those leads slip away and result in just one point. The lose to Crystal Palace USA was especially heart breaking for Harrisburg as the Islanders not only held the lead just 6 minutes in but even after Palace equalized City would have one and two man advantages for the final 54 minues of the game. That advantage still wasn't enoguh to prevent a goal from giving the 9 man Palace side all three points. If the Hounds are to win they must slow down Harrisburg MF Mo Oduor who has been one of the few bright spots in the City lineup. Mo had 1 goal and one assist in Harrisburg's 2-2 draw with Western Mass this past Saturday. With niether team being able to settle for a point this should be a wide open and exciting game, hopefully the Hounds will come out on top. Kickoff is 7:05 Saturday and as always the best seats in the house will go unused as the Steel Army will be standing once again.

It was a chilly night at The Valley as we draped the Steel Army banner over the railing and formed up behind it. We were twenty strong for the Hounds final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Panthers, not bad for the low 40s and drizzle. With beer-in-belly we eagerly anticipated the contest.

From the opening whistle the Hounds controlled the pace of the game and locked down the midfield. Pitt couldn’t muster an attack as the Hounds kept up the pressure. The back four, led by Nathan Salsi, was solid. Jason Kutney was able to continually push up the right wing and stretch Pitt’s midfield. Ryan “The Korean Express” Caugherty completely shut down the middle and set up many of the Hounds attacks. Jeff “Kentucky” Hughes played a strong game serving up balls to our forwards. Thabiso “Boyzzz” Khumalo was all over the pitch; the guy is lightning quick and has a soft first touch. Our forwards kept up their pace as the Pitt defenders started to tire. The Hounds were able to muster some good scoring chances but Pitt’s keepers were up to the task. At one point Leon Browne broke in alone, forcing the Pitt keeper to charge off his line and make a diving stop. Jean Robens Jerome floated the rebound towards the empty net only to have Pitt’s keeper scramble back and deflect the ball over the crossbar. It was a tremendous save and kept the game scoreless going into the half.

Travis “T-Mac” MacKenzie finally put the home team ahead in the 65th minute when he slotted one past the keeper for his first goal of the pre-season.

In the 78th minute the fans that braved the elements were rewarded with an amazing tally. T-Mac cut down the flank and crossed the ball into the box. With all the confidence of a world-class striker, “Bad, Bad” Leon Browne bicycled up and drilled the rock into the back of the net. The crowd, speechless at first, went insane after they realized what they had just witnessed…pure quality! The Steel Army bellowed out the “Bad, Bad Leon Browne” chant, much to the amusement of the Hounds players and staff. This was already Leon’s 3rd goal of the campaign.

Riverhound’s keepers Andy Keszler and Zach Varga didn’t see too much action but stopped everything that came their way.

After the game the Army marched over to our local hangout, the Bottleshop Café, to enjoy the scenery and toss a few more down. Next week we invade Cleveland. May God have mercy on their souls!

AP - Pittsburgh - April 7th, 2008

Young striker Logan had a breakout game this past Sunday. After opening scoring for the Whites, he was dealt to the hated Blues for the remainder of the session. He went on to score 3 more goals and assist on 2 others.

"I just felt good today," explained Logan, "everything was clicking out there. My teammates controlled the middle and gave me great service."

His most spectacular play didn't even result in a goal. Logan charged from the wing, won the ball after tossing BEEF to the pitch like a rag-doll and unleashed a powerful strike which struck the post.

"Well, the ball was in his feet a bit, so I challenged and he fell," said Logan in reference to stealing the ball from his father, BEEF, on a play in the 2nd half. "I just wish I could have put that one away."

"He played an incredible game," commented Blue's player Espo. "You can tell that he's my Godson. The way he approaches the game and takes on defenders...that's not something you can teach, it's something inside a man. I wouldn't be surprised to see Logan playing for the Riverhounds in another 7 years. He's this good after 2 games...imagine what he's going to be like after 2 years!"

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.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds held their first mini-camp of the 2008 season the weekend of March 15. They held 4 sessions and returning Hounds defender Jason Kutney provided Steel Army with exclusive reports from the camp.

"With about 30 field players and 4 keepers, we seperated in the first part of the session, with keepers doing whatever it is keepers do and field players breaking into groups of 5.

"We started with some open possessional play, 5v5, with another team of 5 around the perimeter as helpers. As expected, things started very fast."

As a supporter you've got to smile when a veteran member of the squad tells you "No real tackles this morning, which is a bit disappointing. I feel the fire will start to come out this afternoon."

And that it did. With the returning Hounds and trialists breaking into 8v8 sides they quickly worked into high paced sessions. Jason wrapped up his afternoon report with the most encouraging words of the weekend.

"I can say from today, that our team is much better than 2006. We have a
very fast team, overall."

Day two of the mini-camp found the Riverhounds outside on a cold and snowy Pittsburgh morning at Dormont Stadium. After a 40-minute warm-up Coach Gene Klein grouped many of the signed players together for 11v11 sessions. Before Jason prepared for the 4th session of the weekend which he referred to as the "Who's Still Got Leg?" session he had this to say about the 11v11's.

"Things looked rather smooth overall, with a lot of guys playing well and showing some signs of life. The open field allowed for some signs of fitness."

To read all of Jason Kutney's reports and to join the discussion come visit the Steel Army message board - Riverhounds Mini-Camp