PITTSBURGH (July 1, 2016) – The Riverhounds Academy is excited to announce upcoming events that will showcase 2003, 2004, and 2005 players against top quality standards within US Soccer.
This Sunday, six Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) girls will travel to North Carolina, along with Jason Kutney, to participate in a pilot training program designed and managed by University of North Carolina Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Anson Dorrance, and US Under-14 Girls National Team Coach, Damon Nahas. The program, hosted at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, will see the RDA girls joining a stellar group comprised of 19 of the most technically competent players from top youth academies in North Carolina. Technical Directors from these clubs will be present to participate in the sessions, in an effort to identify and enhance the development of top upcoming female talent in US Soccer. Dorrance, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, is leading the effort to design programming that will assist US Soccer in identifying talent through technical standards, both from amongst players and coaches.
Traveling to NC to represent the RDA are the following players:
Fiona Mahan
Lola Abraham
Anna Marie Williams
Mia Bhuta
Kendall Walton
Tatum Gretz
As part of a USL Academy Initiative, the RDA has finalized dates for two upcoming MLS-USL Academy fixtures. On August 27, rosters comprised of the top 2002, 2003, and 2004 RDA boys will travel to Philadelphia for matches on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, against Philadelphia Union Academy and Union affiliate club, Continental Football Club, respectively. The teams will all enjoy the Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting Kansas City match on Saturday evening, at 7 p.m.
In October, the RDA boys will head north of the border, as they face off with Toronto FC Academy over the October 22/23 weekend. This round of games will feature 2004 and 2005 RDA rosters competing against the TFC Academy 04/05/06s, with games on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, followed by the TFC vs. Chicago Fire first team match at 4 p.m., at BMO Field.
These MLS-USL Academy matches will all follow the Pathway to the Pros Academy Challenge, hosted at Highmark Stadium, August 5-6. This event will spotlight 2003/4/5/6 talent from Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, Richmond Kickers, DC United, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds in an exciting round-robin 9v9 format on Friday and Saturday. The youth matches will be wrapped around a professional match, as the Riverhounds host Louisville City FC on Friday night, 7 p.m.
Dates are presently being worked out for home and away fixtures with Red Bull Academy. Details will be announced as soon as finalized.
