Riverhounds Hope New Stadium Makes Pittsburgh A Soccer Town
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Soccer has tried before in Pittsburgh, but the Riverhounds hope to change that, and the team is starting with a new soccer stadium in Station Square.
Move over Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are moving to the South Side.
The team is putting the finishing touches on their brand new home, a new stadium overlooking Downtown Pittsburgh.
"The grandstands, we want to keep it as open as possible, that's why we kept it open on the north end," said Jason Kutney, the CEO of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
As you watch a game, there will be no mistaking where you are. And if you look at the new stadium from the other side of the river, you won't mistake whose home it is either.
"No benches, all seats, and eventually the blue will spell out the word 'Hounds,' so that people downtown will know how plays here," said Kutney.
The road to a permanent home for the Riverhounds, who have played the last few years at Char-Valley High School, started about four years ago.
But now, they'll be able to seat about 3,600 fans for a soccer game.
The Pittsburgh Passion will play here, as well as some rugby and lacrosse matches, and area colleges and some high school football games.
"The biggest thing that surprises people is that we do have the ability to put an ice rink right on top of the turf, so we do have the opportunity to put a tracking system right on top of the turf and put an ice rink," Kutney said.
The Riverhounds say their new home is very family-friendly. There's even a place where the kids can play soccer while the games are going on.
The actual season schedule will be finalized later in December.
"We want to give ourselves the best chance we can to show people we are a top club, we run things the right way and it's very entertaining," said Kutney.
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