Pre-match notes 2:30 p.m.: The Riverhounds commence their final 10 matches of the USL regular season at rival Harrisburg, needing just a draw to clinch the first Keystone Derby Cup competition. In taking the first two matchups of the season, the Riverhounds have scored 11 combined goals, highlighted by the still-unthinkable 6-5 win May 30 at Highmark Stadium. … Both teams enter on downward trajectories, with Harrisburg on a 2-3-4 slide since its collapse at Pittsburgh, while the Riverhounds have lost two in a row to put themselves on the verge of falling out of playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Coach Mark Steffens and his staff have identified some similarities from the recent dismal performances. “In both games, we were missing the same things, rhythm and possession,” he said after Friday’s practice. “We’re a high-possession team. We have to move the ball quickly and accurately, and move off the ball. If you’re not moving off the ball, you’re not giving your teammates options.” … Drew Russell, Sterling Flunder and Vini Dantas will miss the match due to injury, although speedy rookie wing back Tyler Pasher is available after dealing with a lingering bacterial infection. Some new faces have been training with the team over the past two weeks, but the roster remains the same for now. “None of the guys have shined brightly enough,” Steffens said. “We’re not ready to make a commitment.” … Unlike the quick artificial surface at Highmark, Skyline Sports Complex features longer-than-usual natural grass that could complicate the Riverhounds’ preferred ground-based approach. Nevertheless, they remain committed to keeping the ball on the pitch, especially after getting away from that in recent weeks. “Anytime you put the ball in the air, it’s 50-50 at best,” Steffens said. “And we’re not a huge team, so we’re probably going to lose 60 percent of those. We’re good when we keep it on the ground. That’s what we’re getting back to.” … Steffens made sure to mention that making adjustments in practice sessions is one thing, but implementing them during matches is quite another. A handful of players I spoke to agreed that composure has been a recurring issue. They said the coaching staff has emphasized staying “stubborn” with the game plan, even when pressure is on. … Midfielders Rob Vincent (12 goals, five assists) and Kevin Kerr (eight goals, six assists) are not only the team’s top scorers, but they also set the pace during training. Captain Danny Earls bears mentioning in this category, too, especially considering his borderline-masochistic habit of wearing a full-length sweat suit for practice no matter how warm the weather. On Friday, he was completely drenched near the end of the midday session, but insisted on firing a few more crosses to complete a drill. Steffens tried to urge him to the locker room, but Earls kept going. … Many of the Riverhounds will have one eye on Philadelphia this evening, with goalkeeper Ryan Thompson likely to earn the start for his native Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. The so-called “Reggae Boyz” have never won a major international title — and they have to contend with regional power Mexico tonight — but they are 90 minutes away with Thompson providing ballast. The 30-year-old took over for the injured Dwayne Miller during the final match of group play and has allowed only one goal total in unexpected victories over El Salvador, Haiti and the United States. Here are highlights of Thompson’s nine-save performance, which had its shaky moments, too:
Kevin Kerr celebrates scoring a goal in last week’s home loss to Louisville. — RIVERHOUNDS
July 26, 2015
Pre-match notes: Riverhounds-Islanders
2by Matt Gajtka • Game previews • Riverhounds
Looking ahead to kickoff …
Match: Riverhounds (7-7-4) vs. Harrisburg City Islanders (6-6-4), 6:30 p.m., Skyline Sports Complex, Harrisburg
Video: USL YouTube
Online: Live stats / Multimedia / Media notes
Pre-match notes 2:30 p.m.: The Riverhounds commence their final 10 matches of the USL regular season at rival Harrisburg, needing just a draw to clinch the first Keystone Derby Cup competition. In taking the first two matchups of the season, the Riverhounds have scored 11 combined goals, highlighted by the still-unthinkable 6-5 win May 30 at Highmark Stadium. … Both teams enter on downward trajectories, with Harrisburg on a 2-3-4 slide since its collapse at Pittsburgh, while the Riverhounds have lost two in a row to put themselves on the verge of falling out of playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Coach Mark Steffens and his staff have identified some similarities from the recent dismal performances. “In both games, we were missing the same things, rhythm and possession,” he said after Friday’s practice. “We’re a high-possession team. We have to move the ball quickly and accurately, and move off the ball. If you’re not moving off the ball, you’re not giving your teammates options.” … Drew Russell, Sterling Flunder and Vini Dantas will miss the match due to injury, although speedy rookie wing back Tyler Pasher is available after dealing with a lingering bacterial infection. Some new faces have been training with the team over the past two weeks, but the roster remains the same for now. “None of the guys have shined brightly enough,” Steffens said. “We’re not ready to make a commitment.” … Unlike the quick artificial surface at Highmark, Skyline Sports Complex features longer-than-usual natural grass that could complicate the Riverhounds’ preferred ground-based approach. Nevertheless, they remain committed to keeping the ball on the pitch, especially after getting away from that in recent weeks. “Anytime you put the ball in the air, it’s 50-50 at best,” Steffens said. “And we’re not a huge team, so we’re probably going to lose 60 percent of those. We’re good when we keep it on the ground. That’s what we’re getting back to.” … Steffens made sure to mention that making adjustments in practice sessions is one thing, but implementing them during matches is quite another. A handful of players I spoke to agreed that composure has been a recurring issue. They said the coaching staff has emphasized staying “stubborn” with the game plan, even when pressure is on. … Midfielders Rob Vincent (12 goals, five assists) and Kevin Kerr (eight goals, six assists) are not only the team’s top scorers, but they also set the pace during training. Captain Danny Earls bears mentioning in this category, too, especially considering his borderline-masochistic habit of wearing a full-length sweat suit for practice no matter how warm the weather. On Friday, he was completely drenched near the end of the midday session, but insisted on firing a few more crosses to complete a drill. Steffens tried to urge him to the locker room, but Earls kept going. … Many of the Riverhounds will have one eye on Philadelphia this evening, with goalkeeper Ryan Thompson likely to earn the start for his native Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. The so-called “Reggae Boyz” have never won a major international title — and they have to contend with regional power Mexico tonight — but they are 90 minutes away with Thompson providing ballast. The 30-year-old took over for the injured Dwayne Miller during the final match of group play and has allowed only one goal total in unexpected victories over El Salvador, Haiti and the United States. Here are highlights of Thompson’s nine-save performance, which had its shaky moments, too:
Kevin Kerr celebrates scoring a goal in last week’s home loss to Louisville. — RIVERHOUNDS