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Depleted Hounds Receive Crew Top SuperDraft Pick Abubakar on Loan

Lalas-Abubakar_0

Lalas Abubakar


Only two weeks into the season the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have made a move to strengthen its depleted defensive corps.
 
 
The Hounds have received the fifth overall pick in this Winter’s MLS SuperDraft — defender Lalas Abubakar on loan from Columbus Crew SC.
 
Abubakar will be with the club on a match-by-match basis.
The latest roster transaction for the Hounds comes on the heels of losing defender Gale Agbossoumonde for this Saturday’s match at the Charleston Battery due to two cautions and a subsequent red card against FC Cincinnati.
 
Ryan Adeleye also continues to struggle with a lower-body injury and will be out of the line-up on Saturday as well.
 
Abubakar provides depth to central defense that is still a work in progress, giving Hounds Head Coach Dave Brandt another option.
 
At this point, the only other players on the team’s depth chart at center back include Jamal Jack, who has started and played every minute of both games, and Tobi Adewole and Nick Thompson.
 
Prior to being drafted by Crew SC, Abubakar, 22, played at the University of Dayton from 2014-16.
 
During his time with the Flyers, Abubakar excelled, making 61 appearances, earning Atlantic 10 Conference Defender of the Year honors during his senior year and twice making First Team A-10 All-Conference.
He also played in the USL’s Premier Development League (PDL) with the Michigan Bucks, most notably helping the club to the PDL League Championship, as well as earning USL PDL Defender of the Year honors in 2016.
A native of Kumasi, Ghana, Abubakar has international experience playing for the Ghana Under-20 National Team.
 
 
Pittsburgh Soccer Report will look ahead at Saturday’s first road match of the year with a new edition of BREAKING DOWN THE HOUNDS on Friday evening.
 

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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