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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Hounds place unprecedented four players on All-USL first and second teams

Tommy Vancaeyezeele and Neco Brett

United Soccer League honored standout performers from the 2019 USL Championship regular season on Tuesday with the unveiling of the 2019 Championship All-League Teams.

The Riverhounds SC earned an unprecedented four selections, with defender Joe Greenspan and midfielder Kenardo Forbes being rewarded for their standout contributions that led Pittsburgh to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Both made the All-USL First team. Hounds defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele and forward Neco Brett were also honored with Second Team selections.

Four clubs including the Hounds (Louisville City FC, Nashville SC and Phoenix Rising FC) saw multiple players earn First Team honors, while 10 clubs overall had players selected among the 22 honorees.

The 2019 USL Championship All-League Team was voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market, including Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s John Krysinsky.

Greenspan was among four players to be named in the All-League First Team for a second consecutive season. Forbes was on the All-USL Second Team last year.

 

 

 

HOUNDS ON ALL-USL FIRST TEAM

MF – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Forbes recorded nine assists on 74 chances created, led outfield players with 291 recoveries and completed 1,513 passes at an accuracy rate of 82.8 percent to sit in the upper echelon of the league’s play makers.

Joe Greenspan

D – Joe Greenspan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Greenspan led a defensive line that recorded a league-best 17 shutouts as he finished fourth in the league in clearances with 151, made 44 interceptions, won 69.4 percent of duels and 75 percent of aerials while also chipping in four goals and two assists.

HOUNDS ON ALL-USL SECOND TEAM

D – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Vancaeyezeele ranked seventh in the Championship with 62 interceptions, made 160 recoveries and won 52 tackles at a success rate of 71.2 percent in a stout Hounds defense.

F – Neco Brett, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Brett recorded 13 goals and five assists on a shot conversion rate of 22 percent while recording 36 shots on target and 33 chances created for the first-place Hounds.

The finalists for the 2019 Championship Awards will be announced on Wednesday, preceding the 2019 USL Championship Final, which will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes in the United States on Sunday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET as Louisville City FC of the Eastern Conference and Real Monarchs SLC of the Western Conference meet at Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.

Another side note, the only other former Riverhounds earning honors, was Corey Hertzog, who landed a spot on the All-USL Second Team. The Reno 1868 forward notched his fourth All-League selection of his career, posting a single-season best 18 goals to move into fourth place all-time on the league’s scoring chart while also notching six assists in Reno’s attack.

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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