We last saw Hunter Gilstrap in goal for the Cleveland City Stars at Middlefield Cheese Stadium in Bedford, Ohio. Little did we know that this would be the last time we would see the City Stars on the field and in operation. The franchise folded in December of 2009 after failing to find a buyer. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort as Dr. Aaron Tredway did his best to sell the team, peddling the team to investors from around the world.
Hunter played well last season, earning USL-1 Player of the Week honors for Week 5 and finding himself on the USL-1 Team of the Week three times. Gilstrap would rank fifth in the league in saves (89), minutes (1980), and games played (22). He would finish with an impressive six shutouts.
Gilstrap would find himself on a whirlwind tour during the offseason. He would go on trial with Toronto FC for three weeks before finding out they would not need a third goalkeeper. “It was a great experience, nothing but positive,” Hunter suggested. He would gain valuable experience in the preseason, playing in two games and allowing just one goal (on a penalty kick).
Without a contract offer from Toronto, Gilstrap headed home for a week before heading to Charleston. He received an offer to train with the Battery, who were without a goalkeeper. Hunter would receive a contract offer from fellow USL-2 club Pittsburgh Riverhounds while training in Charleston. He decided to take advantage of a good opportunity and a sure thing.
Gisltrap now finds himself as the projected starter at goalkeeper for the Riverhounds, a squad that has gone through a lot of changes. Former midfielder Justin Evans takes the helm as head coach with only a handful of players returning from last year’s squad.
The City Stars limped through last season, but it proved to be a valuable learning opportunity for the young keeper. Hunter spent much of the season as the captain of the squad, an impressive feat considering that veteran players (Troy Roberts, Gordon Kljestan, Pato Aguilera) also called Cleveland home. The Riverhounds will likely call upon his leadership, talent, and experience early and often as the season nears. Gilstrap figures to once again be an asset in the community; this time he will be doing the good work in a new place. Hunter was named City Stars Community Service Award Winner in 2009. He will also be getting back into the field of coaching, calling it “something I love doing.”
“USL-2 is a quality league with six quality clubs, ” Gilstrap continued. “But we have an opportunity to compete for a league title.” Pittsburgh will have that chance thanks to a proven commodity in goal.
