Courtesy of K.C. McElroy

2009/04/16
By K.C. McElroy, founder www.gts09.com and USLfansite match reporter

The Second Division of the USL begins their season on Friday night with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds visiting Crystal Palace Baltimore in the only action on Friday night. The Hounds lost down there last season(2-0).

The Hounds have only played 4 pre-season scrimmages while going 0 2 2, while only playing college competition. Their play is good, but they need to work on converting on their chances and defending. Returning goalkeeper Zach Varga can't do it all. Captain Nathan Salsi is back as are a few others from last season. One who impressed me is new comer Randoph Jerome, who joins the Hounds from the Cleveland City Stars who moved up to Div. 1 during the offseason. Another addition is Bill Brindley, a former Real Maryland from last season.

CPB has had an impressive pre-season going 3-3 while playing both college and professional opponents with many of last seasons members returning.

This contest gives an advantage to Baltimore, based on the pre-season, but we all know that things can change during the regular season. Being on the road will be tough, as the Hounds begin 09. Hopefully they can adjust and learn.

With Harrisburg winning the title in 07 and Cleveland last season, it would be nice if the Hounds could end up on top this season. But they still have a lot of work to do.