For some -- in particular fans of Liverpool and Real Betis -- but also those who just wanted to come and watch the first game between international club sides in Pittsburgh since 2018, this weekend might just be seen as a one-off event: A chance to see some of their favorite players, those who they’ve only ever seen through a TV screen, then move on to supporting them the way they have been since they picked their teams across the ocean.
But for others, this week could serve as the grassroots of something that can help grow both the Riverhounds and the sport as a whole, and at least in the eyes of one of former Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia, he’s not against using the Reds to help as much as they can.
Speaking exclusively to DK Pittsburgh Sports, Hyypia explained how beyond creating a connection between the supporters and the players, this week could also act as the opportunity for Liverpool and the Riverhounds to create a stronger bond, including the chance for the Reds to return the favor and host a few of the promising youngsters from the Hounds Academy to help them develop into better players:
“It depends on the willingness of both parties, but I think there's always some room for cooperation that way," Hyypia said. "Perhaps if there are some great young players, they could maybe come to Liverpool for a few weeks to practice and see how it is there because that would be a great experience for them.
“When I was growing up and I was playing in Finland and I had opportunities to go to different clubs for a month or for few weeks to practice, I didn't go there thinking that I would go to get a contract, but I went there with an open mind and it was a good experience for me to see how far I was from them and what kind of qualities I needed to have to improve. So that kind of cooperation, if we can do that with the Riverhounds, I think would be great.”
LFC Foundation
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan and former captain Sami Hyypia during a community event at Highmark Stadium
I wrote recently about how the game at Acrisure Stadium was seen by the Riverhounds as a chance to grow their brand, and Hyypia threw his support behind the prospect as well, stating how for some people this could be their first experience of seeing a live game and could open up a whole new world for them:
“Over here in America, the main sports are baseball, American football and basketball," Hyypia told me. "I think that it’s great to see the sport has developed over the years now and it's getting more popular. More boys and girls want to play football and it's a great thing for us Europeans because football is life, so it's great to see. And hopefully, we can get people tonight who have maybe never seen a football game before. So maybe they get interested in it and then the Riverhounds will benefit as well, that would be a great thing.”
