The Hounds keep on trucking through the pre-season as the regular season nears. 11 days people! Get pumped! They came out of last weekend 1-1-0 which brings their preseason record to 3-1-0. While no longer perfect, the Hounds are still undefeated with a cushy +9 goal differential.
Riverhounds defeat Duquesne University 4-0
Riverhounds tie Akron 1-1
I missed both games so I don’t have much to say about them. However, how about that Kevin Kerr? Going into the season the roster is pretty wide open. New coach, new system, a lot of new players… everything is up for grabs for those who are driven enough, and Kerr is showing that he is. Kerr has been well liked among the Steel Army since joining the team in 2013. He works hard, has an intensity about his play, and has a solid midfield game. What he hasn’t really done is put up offensive numbers. It’s tough to pinpoint exactly why (some fuzzy memories in my head from past adult beverages), but it’s probably partly due to how he was played over the last two seasons. In Steffens’ new 4-3-3 system Kerr has been playing more as a forward. While that doesn’t necessarily means instant offensive improvement (just ask any of the forwards not named Angulo last year), it does give him a greater opportunity. We might be seeing that Kerr’s talents are better suited to play in a more offensive role. Part of the reason Steffens was brought on is his ability to bring out the best in his players and playing them in positions that best fit their skills.
Admittedly it’s a little early to anoint Kerr considering the opponents he’s gone up against this pre-season, but he’s already surpassing his point totals from the last two seasons. By my count this pre-season Kerr has 8 points on 3 goals and 2 assists. During the 2014 season he totaled 8 points on 4 goals, and in 2013 he had 4 points on 1 goal and 2 assists. Again, you have to consider who they’re playing, but if Kerr can translate his pre-season success into the regular season, he’s going to have a break out year. Not only is that a great formula for winning games, it’s good for the team in terms of star power. The Hounds lost most of their star players this off-season and they need to replace them. Sure Dallman and Flunder are still here, and Arena is a big name. I’m sure they will be heavily marketed, especially to the academy. But they’re not goal scorers. As much as I love supporting players- it’s the guys putting the ball in the back of the net that are your bread and butter for highlight videos. I don’t want to discount the new signings. One of them will hopefully emerge as a offensive powerhouse (hello Moloto), but there’s still some unknown surrounding these guys. So far it’s been the returning Hounds- Kerr, Cabrilo, Vincent, etc, standing out the most this pre-season. Put another feather in the hat of team chemistry being important. If Kerr can keep up his offensive streak, and I know his intensity won’t dip, I for one welcome our new Scottish overlord.
The Hounds continue the pre-season this Saturday when they take on the University of Charleston, and this post will either look great or blow up in my face. The game is at Highmark Stadium, kick off at 7pm.
#UNLEASH
