The few Pittsburgh Riverhounds fans that made their way to Highmark Stadium last night were severely disappointed in their club’s performance. The Riverhounds, who faced the Lansdowne Bhoys FC amatuer team out of New York, participated in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. However, their Cup days ended last night with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of LBFC. The Bhoys had their first goal scored in the 10’ minute off a Craig Purcell header. The goal came from a free kick for the ... Read More
Mauricio Vargas named to the USL Team of the Week
It’s been quite the week for Mauricio Vargas. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds goalkeeper made his first professional start in the USL for the Riverhounds against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Although the team lost 1-0, Vargas had a stellar match, saving eight out of nine shots. Only Jimmy McLaughlin’s shot in the 27’ minute was able to make it past Vargas. Vargas’ eight saves were the most by a Riverhounds goalkeeper this season, and the most by a Riverhounds goalkeeper in the past three seasons. ... Read More
Riverhounds fall to FC Cincinnati
Even with a change at goalkeeper, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds could not find their first win of the season against FC Cincinnati. In the first meeting between the two USL teams, Riverhounds head coach Mark Steffens elected to start Mauricio Vargas, the Costa Rican international, in goal over Hunter Gilstrap. Gilstrap dressed, but was on the bench for the entire match, as Vargas earned his first ever appearance and start for the Riverhounds. Vargas had a strong match, despite letting a goal ... Read More
Should the Riverhounds make a change in net?
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are in quite a transition period. The team just lost forward Romeo Parkes, after the team decided to release him after his kicking incident during last Saturday’s match against the New York Red Bulls II. Now the team has to shift around players. While the team is shifting around players on the attacking side, another position that needs addressed is the goalkeeper position. Hunter Gilstrap is the team’s starting goalkeeper. Gilstrap has played the full 90 ... Read More
Riverhounds drop fiery match to Red Bulls II
Normally after a match, Pittsburgh Riverhounds head coach Mark Steffens is lively and smiling before he reaches the post-game podium. However, after the Riverhounds 3-1 loss against the New York Red Bulls II, Steffens was solemn and quiet. The reason? Romeo Parkes’ red card and his actions afterwards. In the 86’ minute, Parkes endured in some pushing and shoving with Karl Ouimette. Both players received a red card for their actions. On the way off the pitch, Parkes kicked Ouimette in the ... Read More
Riverhounds draw 1-1 at Charleston
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds could have had their first win of the season last night against the Charleston Battery, but a controversial call extinguished their hopes. The Riverhounds were controversially called for a foul inside the penalty box during a Charleston Battery corner kick in the 65’ minute. Referee Howard Ash gave the penalty to the Battery, and Justin Portillo lined up in the 66’ minute to take the kick. He converted it, shooting the ball toward the left side of Hunter Gilstrap’s ... Read More
Riverhounds end rain-soaked match in a draw
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds were sure they were going to have their first win of the season last night. If they would have, it would’ve been a big one. The Riverhounds, who are second-to-last in the USL Eastern Conference, traveled down to Louisville Slugger Stadium to take on Louisville City FC. LCFC is currently number one in the Eastern Conference. However, the Riverhounds were able to give them a run for their money, resulting in a 2-2 draw. The Riverhounds were the first to get on ... Read More
Riverhounds fall to Rhinos in opener
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds didn't quite start off their 2016 season the way they wanted to. As midfielder Marshall Hollingsworth said after the match the weather, which was cold, wet and a mixture of snow and rain, didn't help either. However, the match was still played and the Riverhounds hosted the Rochester Rhinos at Highmark Stadium. The team fell victim to a 0-1 loss after an early goal from Christian Volesky in the 7th minute would end up sealing the deal. Goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap ... Read More
Riverhounds have major overhaul at goaltender
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will be kicking off their USL season on April 2 against the Rochester Rhinos at Highmark Stadium. Fans have shown up in decent numbers to Highmark Stadium, the home of the Riverhounds, to see their new and revamped team in preseason matches. The roster is very different from what it was last season. One position that had a major overhaul was the goalkeeper position. None of the three Riverhounds goalkeepers were on the roster last season. The team made their ... Read More
Hunter Gilstrap returns to Riverhounds
A familiar face will be back between the sticks at Highmark Stadium in 2016, as longtime Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap has returned to the team. Gilstrap, 32, will also coach the goaltenders at the Riverhounds' development academy. His first stint with the team saw him appear in 93 games from 2010 to 2014 and won the USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2010. In 2015, he split time between the Carolina RailHawks of the Tier-2 NASL and the Charlotte Independence of the USL. Gilstrap ... Read More