News

The Sports Legacy Foundation's board will decide between two proposed Washington County sites, Riverhounds owner and foundation head Paul Heasley said.

"We are committed to staying here, and we want to get something as soon as possible," Heasley said. "That is the major complaint ... the stadium issue. So, I hope to get this resolved soon."

The Riverhounds had planned a site in Collier Township, but residents there fought plans to build a 10,000-seat soccer stadium on the old Woodville State Hospital property.

The Riverhounds can play next season at Bethel Park High School, their home the past three seasons. But Riverhounds general manager-coach Kai Haaskivi said a soccer-specific stadium will allow the Riverhounds to be able to play host to international exhibition matches and to play host to tournaments.

"The atmosphere of having your own stadium is unmatched to any you might rent from someone else," Haaskivi said. "Pittsburgh could be the lead in this area with a stadium that is tops in the country."

European non-vacation

Three members of the Riverhounds front office went on a 10-day European trip last month. Heasley, Haaskivi, team vice-president and director of communications Cliff Gorski spent 10 days scouring Europe in hopes of forming a relationship with overseas soccer teams.

The Riverhounds already have begun to form a working relationship with Mexico's Cruz Azul and two German teams - Bayer Leverkusen and Saarbruchen.

"We are looking to establish a relationship with a select number of clubs that understand what we want to do," Haaskivi said. "We want to give younger players a chance to be seen, and if they are good enough, have a chance to continue their careers overseas. It also will give us an opportunity to loan players to them and get some of their players to help us in the summer."

Hershey not so sweet

Even though the Hershey Wildcats folded last month after making it to the A-League title game, the team might be back. There is a possible buyer for the Hershey franchise that might move the team to Harrisburg, pending approval of an upgrade to a minor-league stadium for home games.

"I think losing Hershey was a shake-up call for the league," Heasley said. "Most people thought that HERCO (The Hershey Wildcats' previous owner) would be able to carry a franchise, but this is American business. And it comes down to the bottom line."

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News