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Club’s ardent supporters express discontent over Riverhounds-Chick-Fil-A promotion


Count in numerous local Pittsburgh-area soccer supporters as the latest in sharing discontent and expressing concerns with international fast food restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A, after the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC announced they would be selling the company’s signature chicken sandwiches at Saturday’s match vs Loudoun United FC at Highmark Stadium

Shortly after the Riverhounds SC shared information about the promotion on its social media platforms, a number of fans immediately expressed discontent.

 

The announcement created a divided response on social media platforms among fans and followers of the team.

Many die-hard fans and some of the groups that support the club, including the Steel Army, Iron City Front and the fan-based podcast Mon Goals, each uniformally


expressed their disappointment with their favorite club’s decision to align itself with Chick-Fil-A.

 

 

Friday afternoon, Pittsburgh Soccer Now reached out to the Riverhounds SC club officials for a statement, and was informed a formal response was expected to come from the club.

Club President Vic Gregovits had previously expressed excitement for the promotion in a team’s release.

“We are excited to collaborate with the McKnight Road Chick-fil-A, as we continue to build partnerships that will enhance all aspects of the fan experience on Hounds game days,” Gregovits said.

The Hounds have planned to make Chick-fil-A menu items available beginning with Saturday’s match, and offered at all home matches except for those played on Sunday.

For more than a decade, Chick-fil-A has been in the headlines and run into issues, with the LGBQT community, mainly due to its charitable endeavor, the S. Truett Cathy-operated WinShape Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to organizations seen by LGBQT activists as hostile to LGBQT rights.

Often activists have called for protests and boycotts, while supporters of the restaurant chain and opponents of same-sex marriage  there in support of the restaurant.

National political figures both for and against the actions spoke out and some business partners severed ties with the chain.

The most recent incident which has sparked further outrage directed toward Chick-Fil-A, came when the University of Notre Dame is faced backlash over a decision to add a Chick-fil-A on its campus in South Bend, Indiana.

Adding more fuel to the fire, Senator Lindsay Graham made a statement that he “will go to war for the principles Chick-Fil-A stands for.”

 

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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