5 PM – City Stadium
Coming out of last week’s sharing of the points in Orlando, feelings are mixed. Some people were ecstatic about going to the home of an MLS team-in-waiting and playing a sound bend-but-don’t-break 90 minutes. Others saw a terrible referee’s decision cost the beloved two huge points early in the season. Others, still, saw a back line that didn’t do too much to ensure confidence for the young season. All of these things may be correct, as only time will really tell if this team can fulfill the expectations placed upon them, both internally and externally.
We will also get to see how this club responds to last week’s proceedings. A lot of people saw Orlando on the top line of the fixture list, got excited, and then skipped ahead to the home opener on April 12. Hidden between those two games is just a small road trip to a Richmond side that damn near went undefeated through the 2013 regular season. If there was ever a scenario where a huge game could get overlooked by a healthy number of people, this was it. The Pittsburgh schedule to start this season is no joke, and getting through it undefeated would be be huge, given the lack of lineup certainty and late addition of Dynamo players.
Richmond is coming off a road draw at Charleston, with both of the Kickers’ tallies coming by way of striker George Davis IV. Richmond went up early, conceded the lead, then trailed, and scored the final goal to split the game at Blackbaud Stadium. Expect to see a similar starting XI from Leigh Cowlishaw from the Kickers’ home opener.
Bench: Green, Motagalavan, Ngwenya, Arteaga, John, Lisch
The Hounds seem poised to also send out a similar starting lineup from last week, with the obvious exception of Greg Blum getting the start in net for the injured Hunter Gilstrap. Blum will now have a couple weeks of consistent starts while Gilstrap recovers. This could allow Blum to get the much needed experience necessary to build up the confidence that Justin Evans hinted was not yet fully developed from his team’s number two keeper.
The other development to watch deal with how the Houston loanees have meshed in with the established Pittsburgh players, now that they have had more than three days to work with one another. If Arena, who seemingly had a good showing in Orlando, can continue to develop the chemistry with his linemates while Johnson establishes a level of comfort playing up top with the league’s reigning MVP, then the competition for the second forward position will be a joy to witness.
WATCH PARTY
We had an amazing turnout at Hough’s for the season opener. Over 45 people showed up to enjoy the game with the Steel Army. This week, there will be a fresh keg of Carlsburg on tap so that we don’t run out. There will also be a duffel bag given away as part of today’s activities. The first goal/last goal raffle will continue this week, including an extra $27 going to the last goal as a carryover from last week. Be sure to pick a $1 ticket. We hope to have another pack watch party today. Remember: with a 5pm start time, the watch party begins at 4:30. Be sure to arrive early to ensure a good seat.
#UNLEASH
