Hounds Open Preseason With 1-1 Draw At North Carolina FC; More on Three New Trialists

On Saturday the Pittsburgh Riverhounds began preseason action with a 1-1 draw against the newly rebranded North Carolina FC at WakeMed Park.  
The Hounds found a late equalizer in the 87th minute from veteran midfielder Mike Green from a Key Banjo assist.  
As the case in most preseason games, Head Coach Dave Brandt utilized two entirely different lineups in the first and second half.  
Bryan Arguez, Devaughn Elliott and Chevaughn Walsh did not play because of injury, while according to the Hounds, veteran Danny Earls was not available due to his suspension from last season.  
Getting time in their place were trialists Guy Ballo, Dan Bedoya and Hayden Partain. All starting the second half in the midfield, Ballo joined the club from Tulsa Roughnecks FC, Bedoya from New York Red Bulls II and Partain from Wake Forest University.
So, who are the new trialists?  Here’s what we know:
Guy “Ballobi” Ballo is a 28 year-old midfielder with a lot of his previous experience coming in his native Ivory Coast and abroad until landing with USL’s Roughnecks last year where he made 11 appearances in 507 minutes, but he didn’t score any goals or assists.  
Dan Bedoya is Columbian, but spent his youth in New York City, where he was a standout in high school and he moved on to play collegiately for St.John’s University.  Bedoya, 23, was signed by the New York Red Bulls organization where he had played for their Academy.  He is familiar with the Riverhounds, as played for the U23 team that played in Pittsburgh in the US Open Cup in 2014, then was a member of the NYRBII team in 2015 that knocked the Hounds out of the playoffs.  In fact, Bedoya scored a goal and had an assist in the Red Bulls II three goal outburst in OT during the NYRBII 4-2 USL Eastern Conference playoff win at Red Bull Arena. 

Hayden Partain is a Wakeland, Texas native who was recruited by current Pitt head coach Jay Vidovich to play at Wake Forest, where he excelled for four years.  Partain also played in the Premier Development League for the Charlotte Eagles. 
Here he is getting a golden goal to beat Virginia in ACC action last year…

Preseason action continues Sunday morning with an 11 a.m. tilt against Duke University Men’s Soccer at the Blue Devils’ Athletic Field Complex in Durham, North Carolina. 
For in-game updates, follow Duke Men’s Soccer on Twitter at @DukeMSOC.
 
Line-Ups:
 
First Half – Trey Mitchell – Ritchie Duffie, Jamal Jack, Ryan Adeleye, Taylor Washington – Ben Fitzpatrick, Victor Souto, Stephen Okai, Kenroy Howell – Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog
 
Second Half – Keasel Broome – Shane Campbell, Tobi Adewole, Nick Thompson, Jack Thompson – Dan Bedoya, Guy Ballo, Mike Green, Hayden Partain – John Manga, Kay Banjo

John Krysinsky

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).