Content. Video. Photos. Get your Riverhounds SC fix with our live 2019 preseason blog. This page will be updated frequently throughout the team’s preseason camp, providing the latest updates and news surrounding the club.
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Photo credits: Chris Cowger and Cortney Peasley
Friday, March 8
As the Hounds finish preseason training, newly acquired goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard stops by Hounds TV.
Thursday, March 7
Familiar center back duo anchoring defense
In the midst of a league that experiences frequent changes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has had a constant presence along its backline.
Playing their third straight season together, Tobi Adewole and Joe Greenspan will again help lock down the squad’s defense. The center back tandem has a combined 72 games played in Black and Gold.
“Tobi is a very good player,” Greenspan said. “He is young, athletic, has all of the tools. I think this year, this is my fifth professional season, so I feel like I can embody more of a leadership role and help him develop on the tactical side.”
Coming off an All-League First Team selection in 2018, Greenspan is poised to once again help anchor the Pittsburgh backline. Despite missing about two months of time due to injury last year, he led the club with 162 clearances – 28 more than the second-most total on the club.
Flanked beside the 6-foot-6-inch center back, Adewole does bring a level of experience to the club despite being just 23 years old. Since arriving in the middle of the 2017 campaign, he now holds the second most club appearances (39) behind only long-term team veteran Kevin Kerr.
Together, both Adewole and Greenspan, in addition to returning outside back Jordan Dover, helped the Hounds to a team record 17 single-season shutouts in 2018. As for this coming season, the group has greatness in its crosshairs.
“Collectively, continue to be the best defense in the league,” Greenspan said. “I think if we all work hard, we’re going to do well.”
Wednesday, March 6
Newly signed Sammy Kahsai stops by to chat.
Tuesday, March 5
Christian Volesky takes a go at Hounds TV’s “Get to Know Me” segment.
Monday, March 4
Hounds looking to create more chances
One month ago, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broke camp looking to build off of last year’s playoff success. Now finding themselves in their final week of preseason, the Hounds are looking to iron out a few aspects of their game.
“Today was the most settled we looked defensively,” head coach Bob Lilley said after Sunday’s match against Lansing Ignite FC. “But we need a lot of work. We’re not generating enough chances. The quality of passing has got to get better.”
In 2018, the Hounds received a bulk of their chances created from their midfielders, as four of the top five players in key passes on the club were stationed in the midfield.
Of their signed midfielders, Anthony Velarde, Kevin Kerr and Noah Franke have largely been responsible for supporting the frontline in attacking roles. Velarde has showcased the versatility to play both wide and in the center and displayed his passing repertoire with an assist last time out against Lansing.
Playing primarily in the holding positions, Kenardo Forbes and Mouhamed Dabo also have helped generate chances. Last year, Forbes finished second on the team with 58 key passes.
Moving forward, this core will largely be responsible for catalyzing the club’s offensive opportunities.
“I still think we have a lot of improvements to go,” Lilley said. “We’ll go back to work this week and hopefully have another good week of training.”
