The United Soccer League kicked off its brand new Academy League in 2021, and now the Riverhounds Development Academy will get a chance to bring the action to Highmark Stadium.
As a new addition after previously launching the USL Academy Cup, the Academy League’s goal is to provide elite youth talent from across the USL landscape with an additional opportunity to compete at a high level while digging a clear youth-to-professional path in each USL club community.
The Hounds came away with a loss and a draw on the road in their first two matches against Indianapolis and Dayton, respectively, and they are looking to get their first win when they host the first two of three home matches, the first on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Louisville City FC. The team plays again Saturday at 2 p.m. against another Kentucky team, Kings Hammer FC, in a match that will be a warm-up for the pro team’s match at 7 p.m. against Loudoun United FC.
“We’re very excited,” Hounds Academy midfielder Gabe Norris said. “You can’t beat the professional atmosphere here at Highmark Stadium. It’s very fitting for a league such as USL Academy.”
In preparation for the start of the USL Academy League, the Hounds first brought together players from various age groups from the birthyear 2002-06 age groups in order to make one, cohesive team.
Norris, being a center midfielder ready to head to college as a 2003 birth-year player, indicated the struggles the team has faced due to the age differences when preparing for each game.
“It’s been difficult,” Norris said. “Our youngest guys have 2005 birth years. We’ve had to take them under our wing and introduce them to the fast-paced game that they may not have experienced yet.”
Oliver Daboo, a 2005 left back, had similar thoughts on the matter.
“It’ll always be a challenge,” Daboo said. “But we all play for the same club. We know the style of play that the coaches expect from us, we know what the older kids expect from us, and we are going to deliver.”
That showed in the team’s two June matches, as they got better as the match progressed in the 4-1 loss to Indy Eleven before taking the 2-2 draw at the Dayton Dutch Lions with a more connected effort.
That mixture of youth and experience now has had even more time to train together. And the next time out on Wednesday, the Hounds will be on home turf with the beautiful backdrop of downtown Pittsburgh on display.
MATCH INFORMATION
vs. Louisville City FC
Date: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Free
Live Updates: @HoundsAcademy
vs. Kings Hammer FC
Date: Saturday, July 17
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Free (tickets required for Pro Team match at 7 p.m.)
Live Updates: @HoundsAcademy
