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Pittsburgh’s Other Pro Team; US Open Cup; Pasher’s On Board; Riverdogs?

imagePITTSBURGH’s OTHER PRO SOCCER TEAM – THE FORT PITT REGIMENT

Yes, there’s another high level soccer team in the Pittsburgh area, and that would be the Fort Pitt Regiment of the NPSL. The Regiment are owned by the PA West Soccer Association. They play all of their home games at Montour High School’s Thomas Birko Memorial Stadium.

After a fairly successful first season as Great Lakes Eastern Division Champions and Midwest Regional finalist, the Regiment will be playing 12 games in their second season in the National Premier Soccer League. They will open their league season on May 29, at Indiana Fire Jr’s. Their home opener is scheduled for June 7.

One thing we do know, and that The Regiment are still conducting tryouts and their preseason is just beginning.  As their roster takes shape, and we know more about their staff, I’ll provide more updates.

There is a link to their official site here on the right panel here on Pittsburgh Soccer Report.

US OPEN CUP

Riverhounds advanced on penalties in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2013 vs RWB Adria.

Riverhounds advanced on penalties in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2013 vs RWB Adria.

A one-and-done tournament, that includes all levels of club and professional soccer — The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament – is the closest thing we have in pro team sports in the U.S. to something like the March Madness — NCAA basketball knock-out tournament. image

It’s a tournament where the little guys have pulled some big upsets and have a chance to beat the big boys. The Rochester Rhinos (currently of USL, and formerly as a A-League team) won the Cup in 1999.

Both Pittsburgh pro clubs, The Regiment and the Riverhounds will be playing in this year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Riverhounds have a history of competing in the Cup going back to their inaugural season of 1999. The last two seasons, the Hounds had to shake off a challenge from Chicago-based, U.S. Amateur Champions, RW Adria — and memorable matches at Highmark Stadium that needed to be settled after regular time. And last season, the Hounds lost 2-0 to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in a storm shortened match at Toyota Park.

The Regiment will play early in the Cup competition, either against a PDL or another NPSL team. If they win, it will be interesting to see if they could potentially match up against the Riverhounds or another USL team in the third round. The Riverhounds will begin play in the U.S. Open Cup in mid-May. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

Here’s how things will play out…

  • week of April 22 (preliminary rounds)
  • week of May 13 (first round – Regiment and NPSL will be playing)
  • week of May 20 (second round – Riverhounds and 20 other USL sides enter the tournament)
  • week of May 27 (third round – NASL teams enter)
  • week of June 16-17 (fourth round – MLS teams enter)

The full anticipated schedule is available on US Soccer’s official site  (http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup/schedule)

PASHER IS OFFICIALLY ON BOARD

Tyler Pasher has received his international transfer clearance and is immediately available for selection in USL games for the Riverhounds.
Pasher signed a contract with the Riverhounds in January. He played in the team’s preseason warm-up games as well as Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over the University of Pittsburgh.

There’s a good chance that the 20 year-old Canadian, who was called up by his national senior team a few weeks ago, will make his debut for the Hounds on Saturday as they will be short a few players due to injuries and suspensions.

RIVERDOGS?

***UPDATE***  I reported that the North American Soccer League (NASL), considered U.S. Soccer’s second division, announced it’s 12th franchise this week will be the Charleston Riverdogs.   Of course, this was an April Fools announcement.  Thanks Vince Nairn for the heads up!!   Of course — it was a brilliant attention grabber by the Charleston Riverdogs BASEBALL team.  There will be no Charleston soccer team playing in NASL soccer in the near future.     The Riverdogs, by the way, play in the Class Single-A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Despite the clever promotion, I will stick with my thoughts on the Riverdogs nickname is a poor man’s version of Riverhounds.

FORMER RIVERHOUNDS – WHERE ARE THEY NOW

With the significant roster overhaul to the Hounds roster this year, would have some wonder what happened to some of the guys that were with the team last year or in recents years. Each week, I will be checking in to see how some of them are doing.
Here’s a few notable names for this week:

Mike Seth – Scored a goal in the losing cause for the Colorado Silverbacks (USL) on Saturday.

Jose Angulo – Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) – was not in the lineup for their opener vs NY Cosmos this past week. No word if he’s nursing any injuries.
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Brian Fekete – is on the roster for the Austin Aztex (USL), but he has not had any appearances yet this year.

Hunter Gilstrap – picked up his first victory of the season with the Carolina Railhawks (NASL), in their opening 3-1 win over the Ottawa Fury.

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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