Riverhounds to return to Pittsburgh

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Riverhounds to return to Pittsburgh
New ownership moves club back to city for USL-2 in 2008

Pittsburgh Riverhounds / USL News Release

Thursday, May 31, 2007

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Greentree SportsPlex, Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame member Coach Gene Klein, The Hill Family Partnership represented by Amanda Hill and other limited partners have purchased the USL Second Division (USL-2) franchise rights and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional soccer team in a statement released by the new owners and the United Soccer Leagues (USL).

While the Riverhounds will return to USL-2 competition for the 2008 season, the new ownership group is not waiting until then to bring immediate benefits to Pittsburgh. They are offering 2007 professionally- run summer camps, the 8th Annual Riverhounds 3-on-3 tournament and are investigating a more centrally-located playing venue for next season.

USL Executive Vice President & COO Tim Holt said “We couldn’t be happier with this group and their plan to provide affordable, family focused fun through professional soccer in their community. They have put together an incredibly strong team of experienced professional players, coaches, and management but what really stands out is their commitment to build an interactive, accessible and involved professional team."

“We have a plan that will not only provide stability to professional soccer in Western Pennsylvania, it will play a major role in the game’s development,” said Riverhounds’ Head Coach, Gene Klein, “Our vision is to have a positive impact at every level, from the youngest players to the pros. We’ll offer a full service, inclusive club that can inspire a new generation of players and cultivate a global connection. We have studied a number of youth systems and will incorporate methods that have already proven hugely successful.”

Klein added that this plan is a work in progress and we can expect some exciting announcements regarding the club in the very near future.

“We are very grateful to our new investors, as well as our previous ownership group led by Mr. John Swiatek. These people share in our vision to take the Riverhounds and soccer in this area to a higher level.

"The strength of youth soccer throughout this region is really astounding given that historically there hasn’t been the organized tie-in with a professional club that you find in other US markets and, of course, abroad. said Jason Kutney, CEO of the Greentree SportsPlex and current member of the new Riverhounds team.

In recent months the interest in soccer in the United States has risen greatly with major developments like the David Beckham signing by the Los Angles Galaxy, the opening of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado and televised matches from the USL First Division (USL-1) on Fox Soccer Channel and new broadband channel “USL Live.” Experts believe this trend will continue, with the globalization-awareness of our youth.

Craig Butzine a global sales and marketing consultant working with the new Pittsburgh Riverhounds group, feels that a strong professional soccer team tied into youth development will benefit the region’s economy and global competitiveness in the short and long term.

“Our regional youth now will be able to learn from professional players and coaches in our area all year and go see them in action next season. They will benefit from adding the lexicon of soccer to their global vocabulary when they are interfacing with international colleagues at school or work.”

Greentree SportsPlex is located at 600 Iron City Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15205. It will offer year around training for the professional players and youth development programs. The Riverhounds Annual 3 v 3 Tournament is scheduled For July 7 & 8 at McKinney Road Soccer Complex in Wexford, PA. Call 412-922-1818 to register also visit http://www.pittsburghriverhounds.com.

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/186009.html