The Riverhounds moved from the Northeast Division to the Atlantic Division for this season. Here's a capsule look at their new division opponents.
Atlanta
Silverbacks
Record last season:15-13, did not qualify for playoffs.
Coach: Nuno Piteira, second season.
Top players: F Ignace Moleka (11 G, 2A), D Guy Norcott (1G), D Sylvan Bednar (1G).
Notable newcomers: GK Tony Roberts, Patrick Beach and Josh Henderson.
Noteworthy: Have not finished with a winning record since 1995 and own a 37-69 record over the past four seasons. "We feel that it is very important for this franchise to make the playoffs this season," Piteira said.
Charleston
Battery
Record last season:15-13, lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Coach: Alan Dicks, third season.
Top players: M Ivalio Ilarianov (6G, 4A), F Dean Sewell (5G, 2A), GK Dusty Hudock (1.09 GAA).
Notable newcomers: F Mac Cozier and D Darren Warham.
Noteworthy: Beat Atlanta, 2-0, in season opener without Conway, the team's third all-time leading scorer. Conway served a one-game suspension for a red card he received in a playoff loss at Hershey last season. ... Got off to a fast start last season with five wins in first six games.
Hampton Roads
Mariners
Record last season:15-13, did not qualify for the playoffs.
Coach: Shawn McDonald, fourth season.
Top players: F Seamus Donnelly (12 G, 3 A), M Chris Scrofani (4 G, 6 A), GK Jon Busch (13-10, 1.38 GAA).
Notable newcomers: M/F Anselmo "Jair" Ribeiro, F Saul Martinez.
Noteworthy: Mariners finished last season with 11 victories in their final 15 games. ... Busch was team MVP. ... Ribeiro and Martinez played in the MLS last season. ... Have nine new players on the roster.
Hershey
Wildcats
Record last season:17-11, won division and advanced to Eastern Conference final.
Coach: Bob Lilley, fourth season.
Top players:F Jamel Mitchell (15 G, 9 A), F Greg Simmonds (16 G, 6 A), M Dan Klein (2 G, 3 A.
Notable newcomers: GK Andrew Mittendorf, GK Mike LaBerge, M Kevin Jackson.
Noteworthy: Lost to Rochester in the Eastern Conference final series, 2-1. ... Won Atlantic Division for second time in three seasons. ... Simmonds and Mitchell were two of the top 10 scorers in the league. ... A crowd of 12,752 attended a June 5 game against the Riverhounds. ... Lilley played for the short-lived Pittsburgh Stingers in 1994.
Pittsburgh
Riverhounds
Record last season:16-14, lost in first round of the playoffs.
Coach: John Kowalski, second season.
Top players: D Tenywa "T-Bone" Bonseu (4 G), F Phil Karn (13 G, 1 A) and GK Randy Dedini (15-11, 1.32 GAA).
Notable newcomers: MF Jair Vasquez, M John Jones, GK Doug Petras.
Noteworthy: Named A-League franchise of the year. ... Won 11 of last 14 games to make the playoffs. ... F Phil Karn, the team's leading scorer last season, will miss the first few games with a sprained foot. Three other starters -- Adam Fedoruk, Michael Apple and Goran Vasic -- will miss at least one game while finishing their seasons with other professional teams. ... Play five of first six games at home.
Raleigh
Capital Express
Record last season:11-17, did not qualify for playoffs.
Coach: John Dugan, second season.
Top players: M Carson White (9 G, 3 A) and D Michael McDermott.
Notable newcomers: GK Christopher Lewis.
Noteworthy: Has a 35-67 record over the past four seasons and has not had a winning season since 1995. ... Scored just 32 goals last season, or 1.1 per game.
Richmond
Kickers
Record last season:17-11, lost in first round of the playoffs.
Coach: Leigh Cowlishaw, first season.
Top players: F Dwayne DeRosario (1 G, 5 A), M Marco Ferruzzi (4 G, 1 A), GK Mike McGinty (1.08 GAA).
Notable newcomers: D Scott Cannon, M Steve Kindel, M/D Kevin Knight
Noteworthy: 1999 was a tale of two seasons. Won 14 of first 16 games but dropped seven of eight to close the season and lost to Staten Island in first round of playoffs. "There was a lack of confidence and belief at the end of last season," Cowlishaw said. "It's important that we rebuild that confidence."... McGinty holds the club record for shutouts with 17 and led the A-League in 1998 with a 0.77 goals-against average.
