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USL Honors For Kerr, Vincent; Thompson’s Travels & PDL Tryouts

KERR, VINCENT EARN USL HONORS

It came as no surprise this week that Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielders Rob Vincent and Kevin Kerr were named to the first United Soccer League team of the week of 2015 on Tuesday.

The duo, both playing in their third year for the Hounds, combined for the team’s five goals goals on Saturday night in their opening 5-2 win vs Harrisburg. Kerr completed his first career hat trick and Vincent had two goals and two assists.

Kerr was edged in the USL Player of the Week voting by Sounders FC 2’s Darwin Jones, who also scored his first career hat-trick in their win over the Vancouver Whitecaps 2.

Ryan Thompson was flying all over the continent this week.

Ryan Thompson was flying all over the continent this week.

THOMPSON EARNS CAP IN NATIONAL TEAM DUTY FOR REGGAE BOYZ

Ryan Thompson had quite a week.

Talk about going from one extreme to another.  The Hounds goalkeeper went from starting the USL season with his new club team on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium, in a game where temperatures were in the low 20 — to National Team duty in tropics — for the Jamaican squad in their 3-0 win over Cuba. It was his third appearance with the Jamaican senior team and likely a sign that he has solidified his status with the Reggae Boyz, as they prepare for competition in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer.   Thompson is expected to miss some games for the Riverhounds during this period.

In addition to Thompson, Hounds defender Tyler Pasher was called up to the Canadian National Team for their two friendlies, but he didn’t see action in either of their matches.

PDL TRYOUTS ANNOUNCED

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have scheduled open tryouts for the club’s USL Premier Development League team over the weekend of April 24 and 25.

Josh Rife will lead the Under-23 PDL team this summer after joining the Riverhounds coaching staff last month. Rife is also serving as an assistant to first-team head coach Mark Steffens.

“We’ve been in contact with local college coaches to identify suitable PDL level players,” Rife said. “By hosting an open tryout, we’re also looking for talented local players that we may have missed.”

The tryouts will take place at Highmark Stadium with a Friday evening session running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. followed by a Saturday session from 10 a.m. until noon.

An application fee of $50 is required to participate in the trials. Full payment and registration details will be released by the Riverhounds.

The Riverhounds PDL team launched last year under the guidance of Illinois Central College head coach Oz Bakirdan.  Current Riverhounds players that played for the inaugural PDL team included Pittsburgh native Anthony Virgara and goalkeeper Ryan Hulings.

ALL USL GAMES ON YOUTUBE

Every game of the 2015 USL season can be seen live on YouTube (www.Youtube.com/USL). As we continue to develop Pittsburgh Soccer Report, we will post links to the USL Standings and live scores.

The Riverhounds return to action this Saturday night at 7 p.m., at Highmark Stadium against regional rivals, Rochester Rhinos. I’ll be taking a closer look at the Rhinos as we get closer to Game Day.

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).

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