Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds kick off Memorial Day weekend this Friday night with a match against Antigua Barracuda FC at Highmark Stadium. Heading into the match against the Barracuda, the Riverhounds are focused on completing the month of May undefeated in USL PRO play. Kick off is set for 7:00 p.m., with less than 300 tickets remaining through the Riverhounds Ticketmaster Box Office.

Friday’s match will be the first time the Riverhounds and the Barracuda meet this 2013 pro season.   In 2012, the Riverhounds and Barracuda concluded the season with a 2-1 record, with the Riverhounds defeating the Barracuda 1-0 in their season opener on April 7 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, followed by a 3-1 loss to the Barracuda the day after.  When the Barracuda traveled to Pittsburgh in July, the Riverhounds claimed a 4-1 victory.

In USL PRO play, the Riverhounds remain undefeated in the month of May.  Last week, the team met the Dayton Dutch Lions for the second and final time in regular season play, resulting in a 2-2 draw.  Forward Jhonny Arteaga had a standout performance, recording his first goal of the season for the Riverhounds. Arteaga’s counter-part at the striker position, Jose Angulo, directed a beautiful header into the back of the net, and remains the leading scorer for the Club with four goals all coming at Highmark Stadium.  The two ex NY Red Bulls strikers are beginning to find their groove as the team is beginning to turn on the jets.  Playing setup man for both goals, midfielder Matt Dallman was recognized as a member of the USL PRO Team of the Week, as he is tied for the league lead with five assists.  This is Dallman’s third time on the Team of the Week in 2013.

Head Coach Justin Evans is confident heading into Friday night’s match against the Barracuda.

“It’s important this Friday that we get off to a good start against Antigua,” said Evans.  “A win on Friday will keep us undefeated in five games in the league and that’s something that is very important to the team and our season moving forward.”The Barracudas (0-7-0) come into the game still looking to collect their first points of the 2013 USL PRO season. After a difficult double-header weekend against the Harrisburg City Islanders (5-1-1) last Friday and Richmond Kickers (4-0-3) last Saturday, the Barracuda conceded four goals in both matches. 

The Barracudas (0-7-0) come into the game still looking to collect their first points of the 2013 USL PRO season. After a difficult double-header weekend against the Harrisburg City Islanders (5-1-1) on Friday, May 10, and Richmond Kickers (4-0-3) on Saturday, May 11, the Barracuda conceded four goals in both matches.  

During the game on Friday night, volunteers from the American Red Cross will be present collecting donations for the victims of the tornado that hit the state of Oklahoma earlier this week.

Don’t miss out on the Riverhounds upcoming promotions!  On June 7, the Riverhounds take on the Toronto FC of MLS, and are hosting a White Out T-shirt giveaway sponsored by Highmark.  On June 15, the Riverhounds will host the next fireworks night following the match against the Charleston Battery.

To purchase Riverhounds tickets, visit Riverhounds.com/tickets or call the Highmark Stadium Box Office at (412) 224-4900.

The Riverhounds jumped ahead of the Dutch Lions in the 10^th minute when Arteaga headed home from inside the six-yard box.  Driving deep down the right flank, Matt Dallman drove a right-footed cross towards the back post for Arteaga.  Fighting off his marker, Arteaga headed the ball back across the goalmouth and into the top right corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

The two sides exchanged quality goal-scoring opportunities in the first stanza, but only Arteaga of the Riverhounds would find the back of the net. 

Following the break, the Riverhounds would double their lead just six minutes into the second half.  A combination between Mike Seamon and Dallman on the right flank led to the Riverhounds second goal. Playing the role of setup man again, Dallman delivered another brilliant service to the back post.  This time, Angulo rose above his marker to head the ball into the top left corner of the goal.

The Dutch Lions would cut the lead in half at the 65^th minute from the foot of Bardsley.  A quick switch of play from right-to-left by Westdijk would find Bardsley all alone thirty yards from goal.  Bardsley took an inside touch to prepare his body to shoot.  Striking a hard right-footed shot from the corner of the penalty area, Bardsley’s shot was touched by Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, but not enough to keep it out of the goal as the ball ricocheted down off the crossbar and over the goal line for the Dutch Lions first goal of the game.

With six minutes remaining in the game, the Dutch Lions would find the equalizer from the foot of Westdijk.  A quick counter by the Dutch Lions down the right flank for Irakli Khutsidze caught the Riverhounds out of shape.  As Riverhounds defender Rich Costanzo closed the ball, Khutsidze slid a pass for Westdijk just inside the penalty area right of the goalmouth.  Taking a touch towards goal, Westdijk rifled a shot past Gilstrap to bring the score level at two.

The Riverhounds travel to New Jersey next Tuesday for a second-round game in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against the Ocean City Nor’easters.  The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. kick off at Carey Stadium.  The Dutch Lions return to Dayton for a second-round US Open Cup game against the Dearborn Stars (USASA).  The game is slated to kick off at 7:00 p.m. at Beavercreek Stadium.  

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The Riverhounds travel to New Jersey on Tuesday for a second-round game in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Ocean City Nor’easters.  Next Tuesday night’s winner will face the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer on Tuesday, May 28 in the third-round of the U.S. Open Cup.  If the Riverhounds defeat the Nor’easters, they will host the Union at Highmark Stadium in Station Square.

The Riverhounds maintained quality possession throughout most of the game, but couldn’t find the back of the net despite outshooting the Nor’easters 8-2. 

The Riverhounds struck early in the game when Riverhounds striker Jose Angulo stripped a Nor’easter defender to find Dallman 30 yards from goal. Nor’easters goalkeeper, Brian Billings, saved Dallman’s shot on goal.

In the 36^th minute of play, defender Mike Seamon drove down the right flank and found forward Jhonny Arteaga at the penalty spot.  Arteaga attempted a side-scissors follow that flew just over the crossbar.

Following halftime, Seamon overlapped Dallman down the right flank and drove the ball inside towards the goal. Taking a shot at the near post, Seamon’s attempt went inches wide.

Both teams remained scoreless for a most of the game until the 68^th minute when Ken Tribbett of the Nor’easters was able to put the ball past Riverhounds goalkeeper, Greg Blum, from close range after it bounced off multiple players in the penalty area.

The Riverounds came close to evening the score in the final minutes of play when midfielder Ryan Kinne drove down the left flank and crossed a brilliant ball for Arteaga who slashed through the penalty box. Arteaga headed the ball cleanly and on frame, but Billings smothered the attempt to preserve the win for the Nor’easters.

Following the win, the Nor’easters will travel to play the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer (MLS) on Tuesday, May 28 at PPL Park.

The Riverhounds return to USL PRO action on Friday against the Antigua Barracuda (0-7-0).  Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit Riverhounds.com/tickets or call the Highmark Stadium Box Office at (412) 224-4900.