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#USL Notebook: Former Hounds Update; Highmark hosts #DCU-#Crew U23s

Some former Riverhounds had an eventful week.  It’s always interesting to see how former players are doing, and a few players who were key parts of the Riverhounds recent teams were making headlines and receiving some honors.

ANGULO MOVES FROM STFC TO OKC

The biggest headline of the week featured former 2013 USL MVP Jose Angulo, who was moving on from a team that he signed with in the offseason, St. Louis FC.
Despite Steel Army, hoping for his return to Pittsburgh, Angulo was loaned to OKC Energy FC.

Over two seasons in 2013 and 2014 with the Riverhounds, Angulo appeared in 47 games and scored 23 goals.  Angulo made his return to Highmark Stadium in April, scoring a goal in St. Louis FC’s 2-1 win over the Hounds.
Here’s a message he shared on twitter.

OKC Energy FC announced on Tuesday it had acquired Angulo on loan from Saint Louis FC, with winger Daniel Jackson moving in the opposite direction to STLFC in a separate transaction.
In retrospect, it’s a deal that makes sense for a number of reasons.  STLFC were looking to shake things up and fill some needs after a 5-1 loss to Charlotte.  OKC was a team in need of a proven scorer like Angulo, who’s scored four goals in 13 games for STLFC this season.  The loan arrangement was between two teams that are in separate conferences.

MURRELL, MOLOTO LAND ON USL TEAM OF THE WEEK

Jordan Murrell and Lebo Moloto both came to the Riverhounds as very promising players who had excelled at the collegiate level.  This week, they had big games with their new teams.
After a slow start in 2015, Moloto became an instrumental part of the Hounds high-scoring outfit that season, tallying six goals and seven assist, including three assists in the ‘Miracle on the Mon’ comeback against Harrisburg.

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Lebo Moloto celebrates goal vs Rochester in Sept. 2015 (Pgh Riverhounds)


After a down year in 2016, when he only scored one goal, Moloto’s re-discovered his scoring touch and distribution ability with two goals and four assists already this season in 13 games played.
This past week, Moloto earned USL Team of the Week honors.
Moloto had a goal and two assists as the Rangers took a 4-0 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday night.
In addition to Moloto, Tyler Pasher, who was also on the 2015 squad, who is signed to Major League Soccer’s Sporting KC, has also played recently with Swope Park.  Pasher earned USL Team of the Week honors the previous week, excelling in a pair of SPR victories, recording six tackles and three interceptions, and providing the assist on the game-winning goal against the LA Galaxy II.
Joining Moloto earning USL honors this week is Murrell, who was part of Reno 1868 FC’s USL goal-scoring record  9-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II last Monday night at Greater Nevada Field.  Murrell scored twice in the contest.   In Pittsburgh last season, Murrell made 12 appearances.

VINCENT AVAILABLE AGAIN 

Former Hounds standout Rob Vincent, who is in his second year with DC United of MLS, has had a tough year, but he’s hoping to get back on the field soon.
After minor knee surgery, the Liverpool, England native was diagnosed with a blood clot, forcing him to be sidelined for much of the 2017 season. Vincent has been cleared to return, and has been an available reserve for the United in the past few games.
Vincent had two early season appearances off the bench for DCU before his injury.

USL REACHES ONE MILLION MARK 

Over the weekend, the USL reached a historic attendance milestone, drawing its one-millionth fan at the earliest point in its history, during the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC home match.
The league expects to surpass the two-million-fan mark this season, well ahead of its previous attendance record of 1.5 million fans in 2016. Contributing to this monumental growth are larger crowds across the USL Clubs, which are averaging a record 5,830 fans per game.

HIGHMARK STADIUM TO HOST DCU – CREW U23 SCRIMMAGE 

This Friday, July 14, as Columbus Crew SC Under-23s will scrimmage the D.C. United Under-23s at Highmark Stadium.  The match will be open and free to attend for the public with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) has worked extensively with both clubs in recent months. Most recently, 2000 Boy’s goalkeeper Dane Jacomen signed on to play for the D.C. United Academy, starting this August.

RELATED:   AS CREW SC PUT IMPRINT ON WESTERN PA, LOCAL CLUBS MUST FIND COMMON GROUND 

In addition, the RDA said that they’re planning another announcement later this week in conjunction with Crew SC Academy that is expected to further align the two entities in youth development in Western Pennsylvania.
 
 
 

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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