The Pittsburgh Riverhounds opened their 2004 home campaign on Saturday evening in the PSL (equivalent of Division 3 here in the US, MLS being Div-1 and A-League Div-2).

We took on the Northern Virginia Royals in front of around 1500 fans. The match also served as a US Open Cup qualifier match (still havent figured out if qualified yet LOL!)

The Hounds made complete mince meat out of the Northern Virginia defense in a 5-0 victory.

Two big highlights stand out:
Said Ali the Hounds Canadian striker hit for 2 lovely goals in the first half and when he subbed off in the 53 minute the crowd gave him a very nice ovation.

Near full time Northern Virginia were called for a hand ball in the area and the Hounds converted the penalty for the 5th goal of the evening. The Northern Viriginia coach was seen vigorously arguing the call with the fourth official. The coach who is quite round and bouncy looking was then showered with the chant "Have Another Snack, Have Another Snack!" from the very enthusiastic young Hounds supporters.

Who are the Americans on the team? Do they still play in Bethal Park?

Here's the roster sleccia:
2004 Pittsburgh Riverhounds

10 Michael Apple F - - Akron, OH Akron (Last Season Cincinnati Riverhawks)

22 Chris Robinson GK - - Greensboro, NC (Last Season Carolina Dynamo)

15 Cody Bragg D 6'0 170 Plano, TX (Last Season Texas Spurs)

23 Dan Hartung F 5'8 155 Reading, PA Rookie

13 David Flavius F 5'7 185 St. Lucia, West Indies (Last Season Hounds)

4 Gary DePalma MF 5'11 165 Pittsburgh, PA (Last Season Hounds)

17 George Kithas F 6'5 - Livonia, MI Rookie

21 Granit Caushaj F 5'8 165 Chicago, IL Rookie

2 Greg Chevalier MF 5'11 170 Albany, NY (Last Season Albany Highlanders)

7 James Meara MF - - - - -

19 Jason Kutney D 6'1 163 Freehold, NJ (Last Season Charleston Battery)

11 Joe Iding D 5'11 177 Lansing, MI Rookie

12 Lucas Heasley GK 6'3 210 Pittsburgh, PA -(Last Season Texas Spurs)

14 Matt Chulis D 5'9 155 Central Islip, NY (Last Season Hounds)

6 Nathan Salsi D 6'2 195 N. Huntington, PA (Last Season Rookie)

9 Said Ali F 6'1 180 Hamilton, Ontario Rookie

8 Steve Armas MF 5'8 160 Germantown, MD (Last Season Carolina Dynamo)

3 Steven Kehoe D 5'9 180 Anglesey, Wales Rookie

18 Tiest Sondaal D 6'0 - Oss, Netherlands (Last Season Hounds)

# Tim Finklea MF 6'2 180 South Euclid, OH (Last Season Cincinnati Riverhawks)

And this season they are playing at Moon High School Stadium. They moved there because fan feedback indicated that Bethel Park was too hard to get too. Also they are trying to nail down a site to build their own "Soccer Only" stadium. An article in the Post Gazette said that if they can secure funding this year they are targeting a 2006 return to the A-League.

Cool beans Cabe, thanks mate.