Pittsburgh en D3 en 2004

[François]

Selon un journal de Pittsburgh, les hounds vont quitter la a-league pour la D3 l'année prochaine. Il faut aller chercher Martins après la saison!

Hounds to drop a classification
Riverhounds likely to drop to lower division in USL

Thursday, August 28, 2003

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer


It's not official yet, but the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are dropping out of the A-League and moving to a lower professional league.

Team owner Paul Heasley met with his players yesterday afternoon and notified them of his decision to drop to Division III in the United Soccer Leagues. The name of the league the Riverhounds will be playing in is the Pro Select League.

"I can tell you that most of the players are a little shocked," said Jaman Tripoli, a member of the team for the five seasons it competed in the A-League and a year-round employee of the club. "We all wanted to stay in the A-League to improve upon what we started. We're still waiting to hear all the details of what's going to happen."

Riverhounds officials confirmed the team met yesterday but denied to speak about the nature of the meeting. Sharon Talarico, director of media relations, said the team will make an official announcement Tuesday, the day after it must notify the USL of their plans.

Tim Holt, director of A-League operations, said he has not been officially notified by Heasley but expects to hear from him within days. He said the proper protocol is to notify players first and then the league.

"Any decision made by the Riverhounds that keeps them in United Soccer Leagues is a decision we will be happy with," Holt said. "We still feel strongly that Pittsburgh is an A-League market, and the Riverhounds can be successful in the proper venue."

Heasley has been unable to buy land where he can build a soccer stadium and complex that is more centrally located or accessible than the team's current home, Bethel Park Stadium in the South Hills. If he can build his complex, the Riverhounds would be strong candidates to return to the A-League, Holt said.

"When I left the offices, I made sure I stopped by Paul Heasley's office and thanked him," Tripoli said. "He told me he was going to keep professional soccer in the area. This team will be back. He feels confident he can stabilize his finances, go to Division III and then return to the A-League in a couple of seasons."

Many players will scramble for other soccer jobs around the country. Professional indoor soccer begins in a few weeks and some players might attempt to hook on with some of those teams. Others will attempt to join teams from Major League Soccer. Some of the younger players might be asked to play for the Riverhounds of the PSL.

But for many on the team, especially the five-year players who have bought homes and raised families here, the news was sobering.

"I think people are still waiting for the news to settle in a little bit," Tripoli said. "We have our banquet Friday, so I'm sure it could get emotional there. No matter what happens, the friends and buddies I have on the team now, I'll stay in touch with the rest of my life."

[Bxl Boy]

Mais qu'est-ce que c'est que cette ânerie ?
Quand on voit la fin de saison qu'ils ont réussie, franchement, c'est vraiment dommage de les voir quitter la A-League
Snif