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Handful of Hounds To Serve One-Game Suspensions

Niko Katic (l) and Mark Steffens (r) will both not be on the sidelines for this Saturday's Pittsburgh Riverhounds match vs NY Red Bulls II.

Niko Katic (l) and Mark Steffens (r) will both not be on the sidelines for this Saturday’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds match vs NY Red Bulls II.


The United Soccer League (USL) released it’s weekly discipline report today — and while it wasn’t surprising news – it was not the kind of news that Pittsburgh Riverhounds and their fans wanted to see as they prepare for an important clash with a team that they are battling with for playoff positioning in the USL’s Eastern Conference standings.
Defender Willie Hunt, midfielder Danny Earls along with coaches Mark Steffens and Niko Katic, will be sitting out this week’s July 4th match vs NY Red Bulls II at Highmark Stadium.
Danny Earls will be sitting out Saturday for accumulating his fifth yellow card of the season at Rochester last week.

Danny Earls will be sitting out Saturday for accumulating his fifth yellow card of the season at Rochester last week.


The suspensions were handed down as a result of bookings during the Riverhounds 1-0 loss at Rochester.  Earls, the team’s captain, was cautioned after a hard tackle, resulting in his fifth yellow of the season. According to USL rules, an accumulation of five cautions results in a one-game suspension.
Head coach Mark Steffens and assistant coach Niko Katic were also sent off during that match, following a play that awarded a penalty kick to Rochester.  Neither coach will be on the sidelines against NYRBII.  This will likely leave the head coaching duties for the Fourth of July match to Josh Rife.
It’s the second suspension of the season for Earls, who received a red card in the match against Charlotte on June 13 for a blatant hand ball that saved a sure goal.
When Earls sat out during the Riverhounds home win against FC Montreal, Arena wore the captain’s arm band in leading Pittsburgh to a 1-0 win, their first shutout win of the league season.
Anthony Arena will likely wear the captain's arm band on Saturday.

Anthony Arena will likely wear the captain’s arm band on Saturday.


Arena, who will likely take Earl’s place as team captain on Saturday, also has a notorious spot on the USL Discipline Report, and is on the list along with 14 other players across the league who have been issued four yellow cards thus far this season and are one away from serving suspensions for yellow card accumulation.
The match on Saturday will kickoff at 7 p.m.  The Riverhounds (5-5-4, 19 points) take on a red-hot team named for the fizzy drink in the Red Bull II (6-5-4, 22 points) who have won three straight road games.  Fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure that they can get adequate parking and are also invited to stay to watch the City of Pittsburgh’s Fireworks display after the game.

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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