By @SAdyson
Toronto FC Reserves (1-0-0) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-4-4)
7:00 PM – The Highmark, Pittsburgh, PA
Tailgate with the Steel Army 4:00 – 6:20 PM in the West Lot near the Fort Pitt Bridge, with a march at 6:30 pm into the stadium to follow
Watch on-line LIVE on @UNATION
MLS and USL PRO reached an agreement in January to integrate MLS Reserve League teams into the USL Pro schedule, a multi-year deal that will feature “interleague” play between MLSRL teams and the 13 USL Pro sides. The results from these matches will be consequential to the record in both teams’ respective leagues.
This is not an exhibition match.
Toronto FC has several players making rehab starts for their reserves side, and they have one win with no losses or ties in the Eastern reserve league.
The Riverhounds, however, have finally looked like the soccer team we expected to see at the beginning of the 2013 season. A significant improvement in defensive play has helped Hounds goalkeepers shut out opposing sides at home for 186 straight minutes. Several of the offensive weapons that we signed in the offseason, including Angulo and Arteaga, are finding the back of the net more regularly.
Currently, the Hounds are 3-1-1 at home in USL PRO play. This is a game where the team will need the Steel Army to keep this momentum going into the rest of the remaining home stand.
LAST MEETING: N/A
HOUNDS PLAYER TO WATCH: Hunter Gilstrap, G – Hunter has been the beneficiary of better defensive play in front of him, especially with the improvement of Richie, Seamon, and Green on defense. If he can trust his center backs to patrol the top of the penalty area, he can more easily settle to the 6-yard box and stay closer to home. Hunter has been a great goalie for the Hounds over the past few seasons, and it would be great to see him get another clean sheet at home.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: USL PRO Official Website
“In regards to the game on Friday it is tremendous to welcome the MLS to Pittsburgh,” said Head Coach Justin Evans. “But for our team, we are completely focused on the task at hand, winning and moving up the table in the USL PRO.”
The Riverhounds enter the match with a full squad of healthy players, while Toronto will be elevating their personnel with the services of two First Team members. Forward Danny Koevermans and midfielder Terry Dunfield both expected to be making rehab starts, with both coming off knee injuries.
PROBABLE RIVERHOUNDS STARTING XI: Gilstrap, Costanzo, Marshall, Flunder, Seamon, C’deBaca, Motagalvan, Kerr, Dallman, Arteaga, Angulo
#UNLEASH
