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BREAKING DOWN THE HOUNDS: 3rd Preseason Tilt vs Michigan; Fan Fest and Kits Revealed?

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs Michigan Wolverines
Sunday, March 13, 1 p.m.
Highmark Stadium
In summary, it’s just a preseason friendly for the Riverhounds on Sunday. But, it will be another chance for the coaching staff to spring ahead and evaluate personnel as they start to have an idea what the team’s regular lineup might look like as they prepare for league play, which begins April 2 vs defending league champs, Rochester Rhinos. More on the roster below.
Fan Fest Activities
Doors to Highmark Stadium open at 11 a.m.
Apparently, the Hounds new kits will be revealed at Fan Fest. Don’t know much more than that.    There’s a chance we might learn a bit more about the team’s promotional schedule for the season too.
The Steel Army provided a sneak peak earlier in the week of the new home jerseys.
https://mobile.twitter.com/SteelArmy/media/grid?idx=0&tid=707980873035960320
About Michigan Soccer
Head coach: Chaka Daley
2015 Record: 8-6-4 overall, 3-3-2 in B1G
The team went on to finish sixth in the Big Ten Conference before falling to No. 3 Maryland in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan headed into the last match of the regular season with a chance to win the B1G regular-season title for the first time in program history.
imageOne player with local ties on the Wolverines roster is Robbie Mertz, a 2015 Upper St. Clair H.S. graduate (pictured above #22), who trained and played for Century United locally. For Michigan, Mertz played in 16 matches as a true freshman in reserve roles, in midfield. Picked up his first career assist in the 3-0 win over Duquesne (Oct. 13). It won’t be Mertz’s first game at Highmark, as he was part of USC team that lost to Peters Township in the 2014 WPIAL Class AAA final.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM RIVERHOUNDS
Quite frankly, a bit more of the same as last week. It may sound like a broken record at this point, but coach Mark Steffens needs these scrimmages to help build team chemistry as there are a lot of new faces. We were told that the team would be bringing players from Columbus Crew as part of its affiliation agreement, and that they were to train with the team this past week, but there was no official announcement has been made by either club. Corey Hetrzog and Isaiash Schafer didn’t play last week, but we might get a chance to see them for the first time at Highmark today.
Otherwise, here’s a look at the Hounds roaster as it stands.
GOALKEEPERS 2015 Club Nationality/Hometown Age
Hunter Gilstrap Carolina Railhawks (NASL) USA (Ashville, NC) 32
Mauricio Vargas Wichita FC – NPSL Costa Rica 22
Brenden Alfrey Robert Morris Univ USA * (HG) 21
*Homegrown player (Pittsburgh, PA – Central Catholic HS)
DEFENDERS 2015 Club Nationality/Hometown Age
Willie Hunt Riverhounds USA (Greenville, SC) 28
Drew Russell Riverhounds USA (Bedford, TX) 25
Karsten Smith Ft. Lauderdale (NASL) USA ( Huntington Station, NY) 27
Isaiah Schafer VPS – Finland USA (Lakewood, CO) 25
Ryan Dodson IFK Stockaryd/Rörviks IF USA (Aurora, Ill) 23
Caleb Postlewait Butler University USA (Grand Rapids, MI) 23
** Sergio Campbell Columbus Crew / Univ of Conn. Jamaica 24
MIDFIELDERS 2015 Club Nationality/Hometown Age
Lebo Moloto Riverhounds South Africa 23
Kevin Kerr Riverhounds Scotland 27
Mike Green Riverhounds USA (Seattle, WA) 26
Stephen Okai Riverhounds Ghana 26
Nick Kolarac Riverhounds USA (*HG) 23
*Homegrown Player (Pittsburgh, PA – W. Allegheny HS)
Alex Harlley Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) Togo 23
James Bissue Montreal Impact (MLS/USL) Ghana 24
Romeo Parkes Isidro Metapán – El Salvador Jamaica 25
** Conor Branson University of Charleston (WV) England 24
FORWARDS 2015 Club Nationality/Hometown Age
Corey Hertzog Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) USA (Reading, PA) 25
** Duwayne Ewart Vancouver Whitecaps Acad Canada 17
Zak Boggs Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) USA (Marietta, OH) 29
** Not officially signed

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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