Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Riverhounds captain Rich Costanzo and striker Jose Angulo were selected to the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 11 of the 2013 pro season. Costanzo and Angulo’s recognition was prompted by their standout performances in the 3-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos in front of a 3,474 crowd on Saturday night. With the win, the Riverhounds extend their unbeaten streak to six games and are focused on maintaining this form throughout June.
Costanzo posted a consistent performance as an outside right back against the Rhinos on Saturday. He played an integral role in keeping the ball out of the Riverhounds penalty area, leading to the Club’s 2nd consecutive shut out win. A Pittsburgh-native and former Rhino, Costanzo is in his second season with the Riverhounds, and fifth professional season overall.
This is Costanzo’s first time on the USL PRO Team of the Week this season.
“This is a nice honor, especially with how our team has been doing as a whole,” said Costanzo.
“I am happy that Rich has been recognized on the USL PRO Team of the Week, he definitely had a solid game against his former team and we look for him to build off of this performance,” said Head Coach Justin Evans.
Angulo receives recognition this week after tallying a goal and an assist for the Hounds on Saturday. Angulo’s goal came from a shot by Matt Dallman that rattled off the crossbar. Dallman’s attempt landed in front of Angulo, who slid a shot past Rhino’s goalkeeper, Kriston Nicht, for the game’s first goal. With the goal, Angulo raised his team-leading conversions to five and is ranked fourth in USL PRO standings.
Angulo helped to increase the Riverhounds in the 63rd minute when Andrew Marshall found him behind the Rhinos defense on the left flank. Jumping quickly into the attack, Angulo picked his head up to see Arteaga racing to the back post. A brilliant early service by Angulo across the mouth of the goal would find the back of the net off Arteaga’s head. Angulo’s cross seemed to have eyes as it snuck between Nicht and Arteaga’s marker. Rising above the ball, Arteaga headed home from just inside the six-yard box for his second tally of the season.
This is Angulo’s second time on the USL PRO Team of the Week, earning recognition in Week Eight for recording both goals in the Riverhounds win against the Phoenix FC Wolves on May 9. Angulo also received honorable mention in Weeks Four and Seven.
“I’m always happy to make the USL PRO Team of the Week, but overall it’s a team effort and we are going to continue to work together and move up in league standings,” said Angulo.
“Jose continues to be an offensive juggernaut for us this season and has been a massive piece of our recent run of good form,” said Evans.
Joining Costanzo and Angulo this week as honorable mentions are forward Jhonny Arteaga and goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap. On Saturday, Arteaga recorded the second goal of the game and his second of the season. Gilstrap’s recognition comes from his standout performance in goal as he came up with key saves throughout the game that kept the Rhinos off the scoreboard.
The Riverhounds remain at home this Friday, June 7, when they host Toronto FC Reserves of Major League Soccer (MLS). The game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. and is being promoted as a “White-Out” night, with every spectator receiving a white T-shirt upon arrival at Highmark Stadium. The Club concludes its home stand against the defending league champions, Charleston Battery, on Saturday, June 15. Following the game against Charleston, a fireworks display provided by Pyrotecnico will light up the Pittsburgh skyline. Kick off for each game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.