PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh RIVERHOUNDS (10-12-1, 45 points) face Atlantic Division and cross-state rival Hershey Wildcats (12-8-3, 56 points) at Bethel Park Stadium Saturday at 7:35 p.m. The RIVERHOUNDS return to their home turf on High School Soccer Night and Bubble Pen Night to battle the third-place Wildcats as they continue their move toward a playoff spot.
Area high school soccer teams will participate in a pre-game talk featuring RIVERHOUNDS Head Coach John Kowalski, Assistant Coach Paul Child and General Manager Dave Kasper. The talk will focus on how to get to the next level in soccer. At the gate, the first 1,000 children ages 14 and under will receive a free RIVERHOUNDS bubble pen just in time for back to school.
The HOUNDS split their games over the weekend - beating the surging Montreal Impact, 1-0, at Montreal in overtime on Sunday for their first road win of the season and losing to Richmond, 2-1, at home on Friday. Forward David Flavius continued his red-hot scoring with the game-winning golden goal on Sunday off an assist from an equally streaking midfielder Gary DePalma. Flavius has scored eight goals in the past five games and DePalma has picked up five assists since July 7.
The RIVERHOUNDS learned today that the A-League imposed a two-game suspension on Flavius who received a red card in the RIVERHOUNDS game Friday. The team will decide within 48 hours if it will appeal the league's decision.
The Wildcats meet the RIVERHOUNDS for the third of four match ups this season. The teams split a home-and-home series last month with both teams winning on their home field. The 'Cats play the Western Conference's Cincinnati Riverhawks on Friday before making their way back to the Keystone State for the second half of their back-to-back weekend. The Wildcats began the season slowly going 3-7-1 in their first 11 games but are holding onto third place in the Atlantic Division after going 9-1-2 in their past 12. The RIVERHOUNDS handed the Wildcats their only loss in the stretch.
EVANS AND BONSEU CALLED UP TO MLS
RIVERHOUNDS midfielder Justin Evans and defender Tenywa "T-Bone" Bonseu will make their second appearance in Chicago Fire uniforms tonight as the Fire meets the Dallas Burn in Dallas. Evans played in Major League Soccer the first half of the season for the San Jose Earthquakes before being released and re-signing with his hometown team. Bonseu was called up earlier this season for the Fire with teammates Evans and forward Phil Karn. Both players will return to Pittsburgh on Thursday and play in Saturday's game against Hershey.
CASTMA HEADED TO HAITIAN NATIONAL TEAM
Forward Joenal Castma will miss Saturday's game due to a call up to the Haitian National Team. This is Castma's second call up to his national team. His first was August 5 when Haiti played El Salvador. He will play with the team on Sunday when they meet Honduras at the Meadowlands. Both matches are in preparation for the Caribbean Cup. According to Castma, Haiti is trying to re-establish its national team after going several years without fielding one.
The RIVERHOUNDS final home game of the regular season is against the Atlantic Division leading Richmond Kickers on Sept. 2 at 7:35 p.m. at Bethel Park Stadium. It is also Fan Appreciation Night and Polish Night. During the game, fans will have the chance to win more than 50 prizes donated from local companies and organizations including round-trip airfare for two to London with travel provided by USAirways. Concluding the evening will be the second annual Shirt Off Your Back giveaway sponsored by National City where each player will select a fan's name and give the lucky recipient his game jersey. Tickets for this week's and the final regular-season RIVERHOUNDS home game are available by calling 412-381-GOAL (4625) or by visiting www.riverhounds.com.
