High expectations mark 20th season
Core of playoff team returns
Kevin Kerr claimed that, three passes into Riverhounds SC’s first practice this preseason, coach Bob Lilley brought the team in for a lecture.
“I don’t think me and [teammate Kenardo Forbes] had even been within 50 feet of the ball,” the midfielder added. “But that’s the standard that’s set, and like Kenny said, that’s the bar every day.”
Lilley has high expectations for the Riverhounds this year. Last year was one of the best seasons in team history as the Riverhounds finished 15-5-14, third in the Eastern Conference. But despite their best finish since jumping to the highest United Soccer League division in 2011, the season ended with disappointment as they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs in a shootout.
The Riverhounds enter their 20th anniversary season hoping to build on their success last season — and drum up interest on and off the field. Friday, they unveiled a new secondary logo highlighting the team’s long history and announced the creation of its Hall of Fame. The inaugural class will be announced before the season, which begins March 16, and a memorial will be created at Highmark Stadium.
General manager Kevin Johnson also introduced a video remembering early moments of the club.
Lilley expressed excitement in his team this year, having brought back a core of players from last year.
“I’m pretty confident in this group,” Lilley said. “I’m not going to predict a championship, but I’m pretty confident we’re going to be in the conversation.”
The Riverhounds are one of the oldest clubs in the league, having played their first season in 1999, and are one of just three teams to remain from the inaugural United Soccer League championship season in 2011.
But that history and wins didn’t result in big crowds last season when the Riverhounds averaged 2,401 fans per game at Highmark Stadium, which seats 5,000. Still, Lilley pointed out that a dream has been to have 10,000 or even 30,000 people at a game one day, “and I don’t think it’s far away.”
Exhibition opener
In the preseason opener, Riverhounds SC beat Cleveland State University, 1-0, Friday night at Highmark Stadium. The Riverhounds snapped a scoreless tie on a Mark Forrest goal in the 84th minute.