April 2, 2018 USL Toronto FC II--preview of Toronto FC II vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (from torontofc.ca)
Know your opponent: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC April 2, 2018 7:05PM EDT Adam Krueger Home Opener Round 2.0. Toronto FC II open their 2018 home schedule with a Saturday afternoon clash with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. To get you set here is everything you need to know about the Hounds. 2017 Season The Riverhounds had a disappointing 2017 season finishing in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with just 36 points. The Hounds went 8-12-12 finishing up with a -9 goal differential. Pittsburgh was winless in their final seven games. They got a strong season from forward Corey Hertzog, who scored 14 goals and assisted two. The 27-year-old was directly involved in 48% of the Riverhounds’ goals in 2017. He has since moved on to Saint Louis FC. All-time record The two teams have met up seven times over the last three seasons. TFC II has not fared well against Pittsburgh going 0-5-2 in USL play. Last season TFC II lost in Pittsburgh 1-0 on an absolute stunner of a goal off the foot of Victor Souto. In the reverse fixture, TFC II took the lead on a Tsubasa Endoh strike but conceded a last minute equalizer to Romeo Parkes. Current Form Pittsburgh has had a dull start to their season. They opened the year with a 0-0 draw in Nashville and played interstate rivals Penn FC to a 0-0 in their home opener. Key Players The Riverhounds’ attack is led by Jamaican international Romeo Parkes. Parkes has played two seasons in Pittsburgh and recorded eight goals and three assists. The forward has made four appearances with the Jamaican national team scoring his only international goal against Cuba in a March 2015 friendly. Parkes has made two starts this season and leads the Hounds with six shots. The Riverhounds play with a pair of holding midfielders: Kenardo Forbes and Thomas Vancaeyezeele. Forbes joins Pittsburgh after three seasons with the Rochester Rhinos. Forbes was a staple in the Rhino’s lineup, as he appeared in 85 games scoring 9 times over those three seasons. The Jamaican international has three caps with the Reggae Boyz. Forbes is third on the team in pass accuracy. Vancaeyezeele joins the Hounds after playing for the Mississippi Brilla in the PDL last season. The native of Caen, France has played both matches for the Riverhounds this season and is fourth on the team in passes. In defense, the Riverhounds are led by Joseph Greenspan. The native of Summit, New Jersey, joins the Riverhounds on a permanent basis after a 10-game loan spell from Minnesota United in 2017. The 6’6 central defender made seven MLS appearances with both Colorado and Minnesota after being drafted in the second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He currently leads the club in passes. Daniel Lynd has made both starts in goal for Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old joined the Riverhounds after two seasons and 11 appearances with the Rochester Rhinos. The keeper has two consecutive clean sheets to start his tenure in Pitt. Canadian Content Defender Jordan Dover of Ajax, Ontario is the lone Canadian on the Riverhounds roster. The former Green Bay Phoenix joins Pittsburgh after one season with the Rochester Rhinos where he made 23 appearances. Before joining Rochester, Dover played with Durham United FA in League1 Ontario. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM on Saturday at BMO Field. Members remember to use your access code to redeem your tickets.
.
.