It would be a stretch to call Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., rival cities, but their pro sports confrontations have been memorable.
Most of that shared history comes on the ice, where the Penguins and Capitals have faced off eight times in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But don’t forget the 1925 World Series, claimed by the Pirates in seven games over the Walter Johnson-led Senators, or the final sporting event at Three Rivers Stadium, a Steelers win over the Redskins on a drizzly December afternoon.
However, while there have been underdogs in previous Pittsburgh-Washington get-togethers, there has never been one quite like what an overflow crowd of 4,000-plus will witness at 7 p.m. today at Highmark Stadium, where the Riverhounds will host D.C. United of Major League Soccer in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup tournament.
“Nobody expects us to win, so this is a great opportunity to do something special,” team president Richard Nightingale said Tuesday. “Suppose we do win … it’ll be phenomenal.”
If the Riverhounds do prevail over United, currently the top team in MLS’ Eastern Conference and one of the true big-brand franchises in America’s top league, they will gain the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 two weeks from now, and they’ll have won three games in the tournament for the first time in the franchise’s 17 seasons.
Maybe more important than the result?
The implications of hosting this match in the first place.
Only standing-room tickets remained available as of Tuesday morning. All of the private suites will be filled. And Highmark Stadium’s humble press box, about the size of a small trailer, won’t be nearly sufficient for the 35 media members the Riverhounds have credentialed. A typical match sees no more than three or four.
“This is the first time this year we’ll have this sort of audience,” Nightingale said. “People are talking about soccer in the city.”
Nightingale called this match “the type of fixture the purists want to see,” which he hopes will help the Riverhounds branch out from their usual base of families to the twenty- and thirtysomethings the team covets.
Regardless of the makeup of the crowd, the energy figures to be higher for the opening minutes of the match than for anything the Riverhounds have experienced on the pitch.
“I’m sure that’ll give us a lot of life,” coach Mark Steffens said. “We need to put some pressure on them and win some balls when we have the crowd on our side. That’s the key to the game, because if we have to build up slowly against them, it’ll be tough.”
Of course, United will likewise seek out an immediate crowd-quieting strike, something midfielder Kevin Kerr acknowledges.
“They’re going to try to get one early,” he said. “I think if we just grow and grow through the opening 25 or 30 minutes, the guys can start to realize that they’re not much better than us, if at all. The longer that the game goes like that, the more it starts to favor the underdog.”
Second-year Riverhounds forward and former Robert Morris University standout Miro Cabrilo had more to say on that topic:
Adding to the intrigue for the midweek match: both teams exerted themselves in 90-plus-degree heat and stifling humidity over the weekend. While the Riverhounds dropped a sluggish 2-1 decision Saturday against Charlotte in Rock Hill, S.C., United lost, 1-0, Sunday in sweltering Orlando, Fla. The conditions were so oppressive at the Citrus Bowl that MLS officials permitted water breaks for the first time in league history.
“We won’t be fully recovered, but neither will they,” Steffens said.
The Riverhounds won home field against United by the simple flip of a coin several weeks ago. They were two games below .500 at Highmark last season, but they’re 5-1-3 this year, counting two U.S. Open Cup shutouts.
The defensive success in the Cup is something the Riverhounds have yet to replicate in USL, where they are the lone team of 24 yet to blank a league opponent. They were halfway there at Charlotte, but a couple of big mistakes — plus a second-half red card to captain Danny Earls — cut down their six-game unbeaten streak.
“It’s a matter of putting together 90 minutes, which we haven’t done a lot this season,” Steffens said. “If you don’t defend for a full 90 against a team like this, you’ll get trounced.”
Steffens has emphasized defending in recent weeks, to the point that he says he’s not pushing the attack much at all. That’s a luxury he can indulge when his brand of ambitious soccer has spurred the Riverhounds to a USL-best 2.25 goals per game.
Midfielder Boris Zivanovic has been with the team for a month, long enough to know that possession will be critical to giving the Riverhounds a chance for the upset.
“When we have the ball at our feet, we can really push the play and do less chasing,” Zivanovic said. “They’re the favorite, but we’ll play to win.”
That should be a good match and a good way to showcase soccer in Pittsburgh along with that great stadium location. I still remember going to Pittsburgh Spirit matches and watching Stan Terlecki (sp?).
Nice piece. The only thing I would add is a bit of context from a Pittsburgh native living in Northern Virginia and a D.C. United fan. United rarely uses their starting 11 for USOC matches at this stage except for late subs; especially coming off a match as grueling as the one they just played in Orlando. Not that it isn't a David vs. Goliath matchup in terms of the clubs, but it has more similarities to the Riverhounds playing a better version of a USL reserve team like Redbull II instead of the team at the top of MLS' eastern conference.
Thanks for the input, Michael. However, you definitely spoiled part of the pregame notes! haha
Michael Plumb
6-17-2015, 8:38 am
Sorry! I still have vivid memories of my first Open Cup match between DC and the Richmond Kickers in 2010. I couldn't understand why I did not recognize more names.
matt.gajtka
6-17-2015, 8:57 am
No worries...just took more of a general perspective for the preview. You might see some different starters for the Riverhounds, too, considering the quick turnaround from Saturday's sweat-fest in S.C.
It's going to be a show tonight! This is about as excited as I've been about soccer since the World Cup last year. The Hounds were competitive last year against the Fire. I expect the same tonight regardless of the result. Bring it on!
Criminy. I might have to drive down there tonight for standing room. Better call ahead,I think.
------------------------------- "Oh, carrots are divine, you get a dozen for a dime, it's magic!"
-Wabbit
This could happen and, if it does, it's a tremendous thing to be a part of. I live in a Rochester, NY suburb and in 1999 the local Raging Rhinos actually won the US Open Cup (I believe they're still the only minor league team to do that since MLS started in '96). Our fairly small city went nuts. That team beat 4 MLS teams on its path to the Cup and it did so with incredible midfield play which allowed them to manage possession and control pace. I'm not sure if the Riverhounds' "push, push, push" style is the way to go against better talent, but if they have fresher legs it might be the making of a truly memorable night.
Great analysis, Bob. The Hounds do like to possess, but always with a eye upfield. You are also correct about the Rochester Rhinos...who also knocked D.C. out of the Cup last year.
Matthew Knupp
6-17-2015, 10:41 am
Tonight is the match that the fans of the club have been waiting for since the re-launch of the Hounds in 2008. The past few seasons at Highmark have been disappointing, hopefully tonight can be the result that grows this franchise.
Am I the only DC United fan living in Pittsburgh? In the way of personal interest for me this right up there with world cup and mls final.
A numer of good players who haven't cracked DC United's depth will finally get a start. Louis Silva who was A stellar forward last year will likely start, as well as Finnish national star Halsti at defensive mid or center back,
No Bill Hamid (Usa national) but Andrew Dykstra would start for many. Mls squads
As a United fan, I have to say that a lot of us are pumped for this game as well. We look at the goals for and goals against numbers of the Hounds in USL this year, and see that it could be an entertaining affair.
We also know that the Hounds aren't a team that will sit back and play for extras. It is going to be a back and forth, aggressive game.
And your stadium is gorgeous. Love the views.
If United loses tonight, I take back every nice thing I said in this comment. Vamos!
Well there was extra time, but I wouldn't say either team was playing for it! Thanks for the comment.
maccreate
6-17-2015, 12:45 pm
Matt, nice article! I am not much of a football fan, but I ran into a ADAC United player last week at CDG Airport in Paris. Here is a good three-minute video from the DC United site explaining the Cup and the three leagues participating in the matches. Good primer, along with your article for novices like me.
I was told initially that it would be on the CW network, but it appears it will be on YouTube only. Riverhounds.com has the link, as will we on the pregame post coming soon.
John
6-17-2015, 8:15 pm
I played soccer with Miro at RMU. great guy and a great player
Miro Cabrilo signs for children after the Riverhounds' most recent home match. -- DEJAN KOVACEVIC
June 17, 2015
‘Suppose we do win … it’ll be phenomenal’
by Matt Gajtka • Coverage • Riverhounds
It would be a stretch to call Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., rival cities, but their pro sports confrontations have been memorable.
Most of that shared history comes on the ice, where the Penguins and Capitals have faced off eight times in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But don’t forget the 1925 World Series, claimed by the Pirates in seven games over the Walter Johnson-led Senators, or the final sporting event at Three Rivers Stadium, a Steelers win over the Redskins on a drizzly December afternoon.
However, while there have been underdogs in previous Pittsburgh-Washington get-togethers, there has never been one quite like what an overflow crowd of 4,000-plus will witness at 7 p.m. today at Highmark Stadium, where the Riverhounds will host D.C. United of Major League Soccer in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup tournament.
“Nobody expects us to win, so this is a great opportunity to do something special,” team president Richard Nightingale said Tuesday. “Suppose we do win … it’ll be phenomenal.”
If the Riverhounds do prevail over United, currently the top team in MLS’ Eastern Conference and one of the true big-brand franchises in America’s top league, they will gain the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 two weeks from now, and they’ll have won three games in the tournament for the first time in the franchise’s 17 seasons.
Maybe more important than the result?
The implications of hosting this match in the first place.
Only standing-room tickets remained available as of Tuesday morning. All of the private suites will be filled. And Highmark Stadium’s humble press box, about the size of a small trailer, won’t be nearly sufficient for the 35 media members the Riverhounds have credentialed. A typical match sees no more than three or four.
“This is the first time this year we’ll have this sort of audience,” Nightingale said. “People are talking about soccer in the city.”
Nightingale called this match “the type of fixture the purists want to see,” which he hopes will help the Riverhounds branch out from their usual base of families to the twenty- and thirtysomethings the team covets.
Regardless of the makeup of the crowd, the energy figures to be higher for the opening minutes of the match than for anything the Riverhounds have experienced on the pitch.
“I’m sure that’ll give us a lot of life,” coach Mark Steffens said. “We need to put some pressure on them and win some balls when we have the crowd on our side. That’s the key to the game, because if we have to build up slowly against them, it’ll be tough.”
Of course, United will likewise seek out an immediate crowd-quieting strike, something midfielder Kevin Kerr acknowledges.
“They’re going to try to get one early,” he said. “I think if we just grow and grow through the opening 25 or 30 minutes, the guys can start to realize that they’re not much better than us, if at all. The longer that the game goes like that, the more it starts to favor the underdog.”
Second-year Riverhounds forward and former Robert Morris University standout Miro Cabrilo had more to say on that topic:
Adding to the intrigue for the midweek match: both teams exerted themselves in 90-plus-degree heat and stifling humidity over the weekend. While the Riverhounds dropped a sluggish 2-1 decision Saturday against Charlotte in Rock Hill, S.C., United lost, 1-0, Sunday in sweltering Orlando, Fla. The conditions were so oppressive at the Citrus Bowl that MLS officials permitted water breaks for the first time in league history.
“We won’t be fully recovered, but neither will they,” Steffens said.
The Riverhounds won home field against United by the simple flip of a coin several weeks ago. They were two games below .500 at Highmark last season, but they’re 5-1-3 this year, counting two U.S. Open Cup shutouts.
The defensive success in the Cup is something the Riverhounds have yet to replicate in USL, where they are the lone team of 24 yet to blank a league opponent. They were halfway there at Charlotte, but a couple of big mistakes — plus a second-half red card to captain Danny Earls — cut down their six-game unbeaten streak.
“It’s a matter of putting together 90 minutes, which we haven’t done a lot this season,” Steffens said. “If you don’t defend for a full 90 against a team like this, you’ll get trounced.”
Steffens has emphasized defending in recent weeks, to the point that he says he’s not pushing the attack much at all. That’s a luxury he can indulge when his brand of ambitious soccer has spurred the Riverhounds to a USL-best 2.25 goals per game.
Midfielder Boris Zivanovic has been with the team for a month, long enough to know that possession will be critical to giving the Riverhounds a chance for the upset.
“When we have the ball at our feet, we can really push the play and do less chasing,” Zivanovic said. “They’re the favorite, but we’ll play to win.”