Pittsburgh Sports In Review for 2013
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds had a huge year playing at Highmark Stadium in Station Square, posting a 10-8-8 record to finish seventh of 13 teams and making the playoffs. While the Riverhounds lost to Orlando City, the team came far and accomplished a lot. Jose Angulo was named USL Pro League MVP with 15 goals and 34 points. Matthew Dallman led the USL in assists with 12 and both will be back with the Riverhounds next season. In addition MLS veteran Joseph Ngwenya will join the team after spending last season with USL regular season champion Richmond. The Riverhounds also announced that the Houston Dynamo of the MLS will send at least four players on loan to the Riverhounds. All in all, the team continues to grow and get its name out there at a rapid rate and that is huge.
The Pittsburgh Power had its struggles last season going 4-14 which is one less win than last season. Similar issues to the 2012 team reared its head, specifically the revolving door at quarterback and struggles at the kicker position. The offensive line struggled as well. As a whole, the team scored 726 points but allowed 1,014 – which is a 16 point difference per game. Despite the Power defense being one of the best in the league, the offense let them down. This off-season the Power have been aggressive in looking for answers and found quarterback Tommy Grady who in 2012 put up record numbers. Also on the Power is Aaron Lesue who was Grady’s favorite target when both were with the Utah Blaze. It will take some work, but the Power will see improvement this season. The offense and defense each have positive additions and if whomever calls plays offensively can be consistent this team will be in playoff contention.
Two major golf tournaments hit the Pittsburgh area. In late June, the Constellation Senior Players Championship was held in Fox Chapel. A major on the Champions Tour, means a star studded field and among those in attendance were Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie who had just turned 50, allowing him to play. In the end, Kenny Perry was able to hold off Couples and the weather to win his first career major. Right after Perry’s putt on the final hole, the horn blew and minutes later the course was surrounded by rain. In early August, Ben Martin won the Mylan Classic by five strokes over Kelly Kraft. The future of this Web.com Tour event is in doubt however because Mylan is no longer sponsoring the tournament. If another sponsor cannot be found then the event could be discontinued.
The Frozen Four came to the Consol Energy Center this year and brought a lot of buzz to the city. Yale would defeat Quinnipiac 4-0 to win the title – its first ever.
Jul 14, 2013; Omaha, NE, USA; Kenny Perry celebrates after making his final putt to win the tournament during the final round of the 2013 U.S. Senior Open at the Omaha Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports