With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Meghan Klingenberg some might say Saturday night was a good night despite the loss. For those of us concerned about the product on the field it was anything but.
Let’s get the good things out of the way first before this turns into a downer.
1) Everything with Klingenberg. Great turn out to see her and a great the reception by the crowd. Also it was great of her to swing by the supporters section for a photo or two. We really appreciate it.
2) Vincent and Kerr still keep on keeping on. Which leads me to my downer section-
It’s been said before, and of increasing frequency lately, that the lack of production from the striker position is of concern. Dare I say it’s now blown up into a full on major issue. As prolific as Vincent and Kerr has been this year, they can no longer carry the team themselves. Opponents now know to game plan for those two, and if they can shut down Vincent and Kerr then they effectively shut down the entire scoring threat of the Hounds. Not good. On the plus side even with teams focusing on shutting down Vincent and Kerr one of them is still scoring nearly every game. Just imagine if someone else joined the fun.
Here’s a bad stat. Only two of the Hounds seven wins this season have been against teams who were higher than them in the standings. The Hounds are playing decidedly middle of the table soccer (especially lately), and wouldn’t you know it that’s right where they are. After the last couple seasons we should be pretty happy with that. But a good start to the season and the teases of a high powered exciting offense has probably thrown our expectations out of whack. The Hounds have ten games to go to make up (at this time) 7 points between 6th and 3rd if they want a home playoff game. Seven of those ten opponents are currently below the Hounds in the standings. According to that stat I mentioned that means the Hounds should win a number of those games. Keeping expectations in check this time, and with my mood coming out of last weekend’s game, a home playoff spot is probably too high of a goal to reach. We’ll see what kind of character this team really has down the stretch. I just hope they make the playoffs.
The Hounds travel to Harrisburg on Sunday to take on the Islanders in a very critical match up. Harrisburg currently sits 3 points behind the Hounds and a loss would surely knock them out of the top 6. Kick off is at 6:30 pm. No watch party this week.
Notes
- I hate to rag on players but at some point something needs to be done with Okiomah. Two games, two really, really bad giveaways that lead to goals. He hasn’t been consistently better outside of those instances either.
- Hate to see Flunder go out with an injury after finally making his way back into the squad.
- Renaissance man Mike Green continues to plug every hole all over the field. At some point I’d expect he’ll try his hand in goal. Great to have a player who can easily adapt, but it would be nice to see what he’s capable of if he gets consistent time in the same spot.
- Pasher has gone M.I.A.
- Is there anyone else we can throw in the striker position?
- I was enjoying making fun of Solomon Fondy getting all pissy for not scoring, but then he did, and now I look silly.
What They’re Saying
Dejan Kovacevic – DKonPittsburghSports.com
Vincent came across as diplomatic when I asked about the lack of support: “It would relieve some of the pressure, for sure.”
Other players elected not to discuss it for the record, but I’ll tidily summarize that they’re eminently aware of it. And not appreciating it.
Mark Steffens, the head coach who orchestrated this broader push for attack-first soccer, doesn’t sound like a fan of what else he’s seeing up front, either: “We keep experimenting with people there, and they do … OK. But no one has really stepped up. No one has really put their stamp on the game and said, ‘I’m the guy.’ ”
Nope. Not even close.
Matt Gajtka – City of Champions Sports
Not long ago, following back-to-back wins over the reserve teams for MLS clubs New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, Pittsburgh appeared primed to push up the conference standings. Even now, after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Louisville City FC at Highmark, Mark Steffens’ team is seven points out of third place with 10 matches left to play.
That’s the positive spin. The negative is that, after allowing four goals total over a six-game span, the Hounds have conceded six in their past two outings.
This is the manner of fallback that could inspire some of the longer-tenured Riverhounds to think, “Here we go again.” Steffens, in his first year with Pittsburgh, has admitted that it has been a process to get a few veterans to move past the disappointments of last season, when the Hounds missed the USL playoffs.
Around the League
- The USL announced Rio Grande Valley FC who’ll start play in 2016. Locally owned but the technical side will be completely supplied by the Houston Dynamo. RGV FC is the most MiLB of the MLS II teams yet. They also have a sweet looking 10,000 seat stadium being built.
- The Philly Union have stated they’re looking at starting their own II team next year in the Allentown / Bethlehem area. I’d expect they might be involved with the Keystone Derby going forward.
- There should be more expansion announcements in the coming weeks.
I’ve been on the road a lot lately for work so apologies for the lack of updates. I’ll try to get back on track as we head down the home stretch.
#UNLEASH
