Unleash the Hounds...................again.
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Happy days are here again for me as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are set for a relaunch in the 2008 season. The Hounds will be rejoining the United Soccer Leagues (USL) 2nd Division. For those not familiar with the organization of American club soccer the USL-Division 2 is the third tier for the professional game. The top division of course being Major League Soccer and the second tier being the First Division in USL.
The Hounds were purchased by the The Hill Family Partnership and Head Coach Gene Klein had this to say about the return of the club.
We have a plan that will not only provide stability to professional soccer in Western Pennsylvania, it will play a major role in the game’s development. Our vision is to have a positive impact at every level, from the youngest players to the pros. We’ll offer a full service, inclusive club that can inspire a new generation of players and cultivate a global connection. We have studied a number of youth systems and will incorporate methods that have already proven hugely successful.
The Riverhounds have entered into a partnership with Premier League side Everton F.C. The partnership has included help from the Everton staff during a free clinic. Representing Everton was Tony “Tosh” Farrell, Head of International Football Development for Everton FC. Another aspect of this partnership is through a coaching exchange. The Riverhounds have partnered some of the local soccer associations which will allow them to travel along with the Riverhounds coaching staff to attend the Everton Academy. The Riverhounds will once more hold their winter academy for local youth players and the hope is that some of those players will also be able to attend the Everton Academy.
Professional tryouts will be held on December 8-9 in order to help stock the club's roster. The Riverhounds will play their home matches at Chartiers Valley High School Stadium which has a capacity of ~4600. All I can say is HOORAY! I am extremely excited about the return of the club and the fact that they will no longer be playing out of that crappy minor league baseball stadium that they used prior to taking 2007 off.
Unleash the Hounds!
