By @SAdyson
Harrisburg City Islanders (0-0-0) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0-0-1)
8:00 PM – Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Watch on-line LIVE on @UNATION
The Day of Days. We might as well dub April 13th from now on “Jason Kutney Day.”
The Hounds open the first leg of the Keystone Derby against cross-state rivals Harrsiburg City Islanders. On top of that, it is the home opener for the Hounds in The Highmark. Local media will be buzzing. The Steel Army will be rocking the foundations of the stadium. Someone will get a “Highmark Hug.” Endless Dippin’ Dots.
It goes without saying that this will be the most important match the Hounds play for the next two months. A decisive win at home could propel the Hounds into a lengthy string of road matches with confidence and swag.
LAST MEETING: July 20, 2012 – Chartiers Valley High School – 2-0 Islanders
HOUNDS PLAYER TO WATCH: Ryan Kinne, F – Kinne ran circles around the Richmond Kickers a week ago and showed why he was brought in by the Hounds. He had multiple shots on goal (including one that bounced off the cross bar during a set piece) and kept the Kickers’ D on their toes. It’s only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: USL PRO Official Website
The team returns a solid core group of players from last year’s USL PRO roster including attacking players Sainey Touray Tom Mellor, Morgan Langley and Yann Ekra. Steven Basso also returns for his third season with the club and looks to anchor a strong backline for the Islanders. Defenders Tom Brandt and Colin Zizzi will enter their second seasons with the Islanders.
Andrew Welker and Jason Pelletier are back and will be expected to help in the midfield again this year. Nick Noble is coming off a strong season in net for the Islanders and the club is excited to have him back.
Head Coach Bill Becher and his staff also expect a number of new faces to contribute as well. Newcomers Coady Andrews and Matt Bahner will add to the defense, while Jamiel Hardware gives the coaching staff another attacking option. Brian Sylvestre has been very strong this preseason and along with Noble makes for a very formidable goalkeeping tandem.
The Islanders also have three players on a season long loan from their MLS affiliate, the Philadelphia Union. Defender Gregg Jordan, and winger Jimmy McLaughlin spent time in Harrisburg last season and will be with the club for the entire 2013 season. Midfielder Cris Hernandez will also be joining the Islanders from the Union this year. Don Anding is currently with the club, but is expected to return the Union within the next couple of weeks.
PROBABLE RIVERHOUNDS STARTING XI: Gilstrap, Costanzo, Marshall, Green, Flunder, C’deBaca, Kerr, Seamon, Kinne, Arteaga, Seth
#UNLEASH
