Pittsburg, PA

Pro Soccer: Bouda’s goal lifts Monterey Bay F.C. past Pittsburgh

Published

3 months ago

July 6, 2024

Press Room

Pro Soccer: Bouda’s goal lifts Monterey Bay F.C. past Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — At some point, the belief is its arsenal will be intact for the stretch run.

Until then, the offensive struggles for Monterey Bay F.C. — particularly on the road — continue.

However, a five-game road losing streak was left in Pittsburgh Saturday after newly acquired Ousseni Bouda scored late in the match in the Union’s 1-0 win over Riverhounds.

Bouda, who is on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, made his first start for the Union memorable as he delivered a shot through the bottom left corner to break up a scoreless battle at the 90-minute mark.

The win vaulted the Union into the fifth spot in the United Soccer League’s Western Conference at 7-8-4, moving them into a tie with Memphis 901 FC with 25 points.

Having been shutout in seven of its previous 11 matches on the pitch, Monterey Bay F.C. returns to Cardinale Stadium to host Tulsa FC next Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Union have won their last two home matches and are 4-2-3 at Cardinale Stadium, where their home attendance is among the best in the USL.

Eight of the Union’s final 15 matches are at home. Nine of their final 15 opponents would be in the postseason if the season ended today, including five teams from the Western Conference.

The Union are still missing seven players, including goalie Antony Siaha, who entered the second half of the season leading the USL in saves with 73.

Monterey Bay F.C. also played the match without its top scorer in Tristan Trager, who missed the game for personal reasons. The sniper is sixth in the Western Conference in goals with six.

The Union showed off their depth between the pipes, as Carlos Herrera filled in admirably for Siaha in goal in recording his first shutout of the season, collecting a career high eight saves.

While Monterey Bay F.C. has struggled offensively — outshot 8-1 by Pittsburgh, it has beaten Western Conference leader New Mexico and reigning USL runner-up Charleston this season.

Pittsburgh has dealt with its own struggles offensively, seeing its scoreless drought stretched to six straight games, with just one goal in its last eight to fall to 3-9-6 in the Eastern Conference.

This was just the second meeting between the two clubs, having played to a 2-2 draw last summer at Cardinale Stadium, when former Riverhounds forward Alex Dixon scored against his old teammates.

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Pittsburg, PA

See Michael Stipe and Jason Isbell Perform R.E.M. Classics at Harris-Walz Pittsburgh Event

Published

32 mins ago

October 5, 2024

Press Room

See Michael Stipe and Jason Isbell Perform R.E.M. Classics at Harris-Walz Pittsburgh Event

Duo plays “The One I Love” and “Driver 8” – Stipe’s first time performing the songs live since 2008 – and a pair of Isbell tracks at campaign event.

Jason Isbell and Michael Stipe — in his first public live appearance in five years — performed a set of music together Friday at a Pittsburgh fundraiser for the Harris-Walz campaign, with the duo playing R.E.M. songs that Stipe hadn’t sung since before the band’s breakup.

The singers were introduced by Second Gentleman and noted music fan Doug Emhoff, who welcomed the pair to the Schenley Plaza stage. “So honored and just geeking out, nerding out and geeking out that I’m about to introduce Michael Stipe and Jason Isbell,” Kamala Harris’ husband said.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve sung these songs, 16 years in fact, but I’m really happy to be here with Jason and with the soon-to-be-ever First Gentleman of the United States of America,” Stipe, wearing a camo Harris-Walz hat, said.

The acoustic set then opened a rendition of the R.E.M. classic “The One I Love,” with Stipe on lead and Isbell on guitar and backing vocals.

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The pair then delivered a pair of Isbell tracks with Stipe on backing — “Traveling Alone” and “Hope the High Road” — before closing out their mini-set with R.E.M.’s “Driver 8,” which Stipe hadn’t sung live since a 2008 concert.

For Stipe, Friday’s performance was his first public show since his stint opening for Patti Smith’s New York concerts in 2019. Earlier this year, the singer staged a surprise reunion with his R.E.M. band mates to perform “Losing My Religion” at their Songwriters Hall of Fame induction, their first time playing together since 2007.

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Pittsburg, PA

High 5: These 5 Cowboys need to fill the injury void

Published

8 hours ago

October 5, 2024

Press Room

High 5: These 5 Cowboys need to fill the injury void

(Editor’s Note: Who doesn’t love lists? Throughout the year, ‘High 5’ will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 season.)

There are some obstacles to overcome this week for the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas is missing three of their key contributors as Micah Parsons (Ankle), Demarcus Lawrence (Foot), and Brandin Cooks (Knee) are all unavailable with their bout with Pittsburgh this week.

Does this mean all hope is lost? Absolutely not. Does it put more pressure and importance on the guys that remain healthy? Also yes.

The entire team will have some level of responsibility added on their plate. Especially with so many of these injuries being scattered throughout each unit. Let’s look at the top five names that need a big week in order to secure a Dallas win.

For the first time in his career, Jalen Tolbert will be expected to be a true second wide receiver. He’s had to perform in the shadow of Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks since being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Luckily, Prescott and Tolbert had all sorts of extra reps during the CeeDee Lamb holdout in training camp. So far in 2024, he’s been targeted 19 times for 13 catches and 160 yards. He’ll need to produce much more than that if he hopes to continue to elevate and receive more looks as the year goes on.

In the last two seasons, Jake Ferguson has shown to be a consistent and reliable target for Dak Prescott at the tight end position. This week, he’ll need to become more of the playmaker that we saw at times last season. He’s only two weeks removed from an early-season knee injury himself, but his production could be key to replacing the offensive possibilities without Cooks.

3) Andrew Booth/Amani Oruwariye

Two of the newest Dallas Cowboys will be put in a big spot again this week, especially if Caelen Carson can’t play. Both shared the snaps at outside cornerback last week as Booth played in 27 snaps on defense and Oruwariye played in 33. The reason they are on the list together? They should share rotational snaps together against the Pittsburgh offense that is in the top half of the league in most major categories.

These next three games for Terence Steele will be his toughest all year. T.J. Watt is his matchup this week, followed by reigning NFC defensive player of the week Aidan Hutchinson next week, then Nick Bosa after the bye. Steele hasn’t had the best start to the season, allowing two sacks in the first four games and multiple pressures in every outing as well. He’ll have to limit T.J. Watt and the overall impact of the defensive front if Prescott hopes to have enough time to find his depleted receiver corps.

The day has come for the rookie to take a step forward. Over his first four games, Kneeland has tallied eight tackles, one TFL, and three QB hits in the defensive rotation. It may seem that he has the tough task of replacing the production of both Lawrence and Parsons, but that’s nearly impossible. Since 2021, the passer rating allowed by the Cowboys defense with both Parsons and Lawrence on the field (102.6) is over 20 points lower without them on the field (80.8). What Kneeland needs to focus on, is containing Justin Fields and limiting the run. If he’s able to do that, everything else is added production from the talented rookie.

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Pittsburg, PA

Trump to hold rally in Butler after first assassination attempt

Published

16 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Press Room

Trump to hold rally in Butler after first assassination attempt

BUTLER, Pa. (KDKA) — Former President Donald Trump is returning to the Butler Farm Show grounds for the first time since an assassination attempt in July.

Trump was grazed in the ear, firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed and two others were injured when Thomas Crooks opened fire from the top of a nearby building.

It’s estimated that anywhere between 15,000 to 60,000 people will attend his rally in Butler County.

The gates for Saturday’s event open at 10 a.m. Trump is expected to start speaking at 5 p.m. According to his guest list, attendees include Comperatore’s family, one of the men who was injured at the last rally, Marc Fogel’s mother Malphine, Elon Musk and vice presidential nominee JD Vance.

Construction could cause traffic issues

With construction on Route 68, traffic could be an issue. Cars were backing up on Friday. Route 68 is one of the ways into the Butler Farm Show grounds, and Meridian Road on the other side is partially closed.

“It’s going to be difficult travel tomorrow getting here to where you gotta park,” Butler County DA Richard Goldinger said.

Goldinger said local police will be assisting with traffic. State police will help. With construction near the farm show complex, Goldinger said to be patient and follow the officers’ and troopers’ instructions.

“Follow their orders. Don’t drive in closed lanes or anything like that. We want everybody to be safe,” Goldinger said.

While there is parking at the farm show, some nearby lots are selling spaces. One right next to the grounds is selling spots for $20. Some people were already paying to park on Friday. The property owner says they can fit about 400 cars and will have four to five people out getting the money and cars into the lot.

The district attorney is calling on people to have patience and plan on Saturday being a longer day out. The traffic between people, politicians and other celebrities is expected to slow down the flow of everything.

“It doesn’t change the fact that this road is under construction so it’s going to be slow travel,” Goldinger said.

Security for this Trump rally will be different

Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche said the Butler County Emergency Services Agency will be the unified communications bridge between the United States Secret Service, state and local police, fire, and EMS.

Unlike the first rally on July 13, there will be one command post. In that post, there will be one person from all law enforcement and emergency services agencies working the rally.

During the first rally, three separate radio systems created communication delays. On Saturday, there will be one for state and local police and one for the Secret Service. A Secret Service agent will also be embedded with each state and local team.

Goldinger told KDKA-TV earlier this week that the snipers posted inside the AGR building where Crooks fired from have been asked to help again. Law enforcement will also be on top of the AGR building.

Man who was behind Trump during shooting says he’ll be back

One person expected to be in the crowd is a man who was sitting behind Trump when the former president was grazed by a bullet on July 13.

Chesher said he witnessed the attempted assassination of Trump.

“It’s been a couple of months but I’m still processing what happened that day. The emotions are all over the place,” Chesher said.

He said he’ll be back at the Butler Farm Show grounds this weekend.

“We’re forever connected to President Trump now,” Chesher said.

Not far away from Chesher, others were struck, including Comperatore, who died as a result of being hit by a bullet meant Trump.

Chesher said he believes there will be “a spiritual positivity” at the rally on Saturday. Chesher also said he believes he will be sitting behind Trump again on Saturday.

As for being worried about more violence, given what occurred, Chesher believes Saturday’s event will be a safe one.

“He said it should be the most secure event. In my heart, I believe it will be the most secure event. I think God’s on our side though,” Chesher said.

Chesher said he’s hoping to talk to the former president, and regardless, he hopes the event is peaceful.

Chris Hoffman