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Friday, August 25, 2000 By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
When the Riverhounds were switched from the Northeast Division to the Atlantic Division before the season, it looked as if they might benefit from playing against weaker teams.
The Riverhounds were one of four teams to compile more than 70 points last season in the Northeast while the Atlantic had just one team with more than 70. But this season, the stronger teams are in the Atlantic and, as a result, the Riverhounds are struggling to make the playoffs.
The Riverhounds are in last place in the Atlantic, seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If the Riverhounds played in the Northeast this season, they would be just two points out of third.
The Riverhounds are 4-10 against Atlantic Division foes and 6-3-1 against the rest of the league.
"There are a lot of tough teams in the Atlantic Division," Riverhounds Coach John Kowalski said. "Charleston has a new stadium, and they're pumping a lot of money into their team. Hershey is doing the same thing because they want to showcase their city for the Olympic trials. I was expecting more of an even division. Richmond has kind of run away with it, and the rest of the teams are fighting it out for the playoffs.
"The entire Atlantic Division has improved immensely. In the Northeast, Connecticut is at the bottom. I think everyone was expecting a little more out of Boston, and Montreal and Toronto have had their share of troubles this season."
Riverhounds midfielder Gary DePalma agreed there are more quality teams in the Atlantic, but he wouldn't cite increased competition as a reason for the team's struggles.
"This division has better teams, but it doesn't matter," DePalma said. "You have to beat them if you want to win the championship."
The top three teams from each division automatically qualify for the playoffs. Richmond, Charleston and Hershey will make the playoffs from the Atlantic. The two wild cards likely will come from the Atlantic as well.
The Riverhounds, who have 45 points, can still make the playoffs, but they are going to need some help. They have four games remaining against Indiana (tonight) and Cincinnati (tomorrow night) on the road, at home against Richmond Sept. 2 and on the road against Hershey in the regular-season finale Sept. 4.
Hampton Roads (52 points)and Raleigh (50 points) play a home-and-home series tonight and tomorrow night. Hampton Roads ends its season Tuesday at home against Atlanta. Raleigh finishes its season next Friday at Charleston.
Atlanta, with 54 points, has the inside track on the first wild-card spot. It has three home games left -- Charleston tomorrow night, Hampton Roads Tuesday, and Toronto Sept. 4 -- and one on the road -- El Paso Sept. 2.
The Riverhounds can make the playoffs by winning their four remaining games, or by going 3-1 and hoping Raleigh and Hampton Roads split their series and then lose one game each after that.
But first, the Riverhounds have to beat Indiana (7-15-3) and Cincinnati (2-21-2) this weekend in order to give themselves a chance.
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Matchup: Riverhounds (10-13-1) at Indiana Blast (7-15-3), 8:35 p.m., Kuntz Memorial Stadium.