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One-third of starting lineup to miss opener next week, too Saturday, April 22, 2000 By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Riverhounds Coach John Kowalski likes the work ethic, determination and chemistry of his team as it heads into the final exhibition game against Hershey this afternoon at Shaler High School. But that doesn't mean the Riverhounds are at the top of their game.
With the season opener one week away, Kowalski is missing one third of his starting lineup. Forwards Michael Apple and Goran Vasic are playing for the Cleveland Crunch in the National Professional Soccer League championship series, and midfielder Adam Fedoruk is playing professionally in Poland. Kowalski said yesterday that he does not expect them back in time for the season opener against Toronto next Saturday at Bethel Park High School Stadium.
The players are on loan to the teams. The agreement called for the players to finish the season with their indoor or professional team and then join the Riverhounds.
"When you're missing three top players, it takes away from the team," Kowalski said. "If you take Shaq and Kobe away from the Lakers or Jagr and Kasparaitis away from the Penguins, it would affect the team. It's the same thing with us. However, the other guys have been stepping up and working their butts off."
The Riverhounds are 5-2-2 in exhibition games against local college teams. This is their first exhibition game against a team from the A-League.
In their second season in the A-League, the Riverhounds have a better understanding of how to prepare for the season. As an expansion team last season, the Riverhounds went 16-12 and made the playoffs but were plagued by inconsistent play early in the season and early in games.
Much of the 17-day preseason has been devoted to conditioning. Kowalski was unhappy with the team's slow start last season, when the Riverhounds dropped five of their first seven. They also played considerably better in the second half of games and were 9-0 when leading at halftime.
"We are a lot more fit this training camp," said goalkeeper Randy Dedini, a team captain. "Kowalski really put us through the ringer. Last year, we won a lot of games in the second half. We gave up half as many goals in the second halves of games."
Kowalski said a quick start this season is paramount to the team's success. The Riverhounds open the season with five of their first six games at home then go on the road for five of their next six.
"In order for us to be a winning team, we first had to improve physically," Kowalski said. "With that out of the way, we'll be able to apply the psychology and necessary tactical maneuvers."
With most of the players back, the Riverhounds will be more cohesive. That should translate into better play at the beginning of the season, Dedini said.
"Hopefully, we won't have to go through the learning curve we went through last year," Dedini said. "When we started 2-5 last year, I think we struggled because we had new players coming in. This year, we have a good idea of who can play where. We have guys who know their roles."
Said Kowalski: "We've been making a good progression. Since we don't have everybody, I can't say it has been very good or great. But I'm happy with it."
NOTES -- The game today was moved from Bethel Park's grass field to Shaler's turf field because of expected inclement weather. Admission is free. ... Dedini will start in goal over newly acquired Doug Petras, but Kowalski said it is too early to tell who will play against Toronto.
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Matchup: Riverhounds vs. Toronto in A-League season opener.