The Pittsburgh Riverhounds ended their 2016 season the same way they started it: with a loss. The Riverhounds finished their season with a 6-17-7 record. Five out of their six wins came under head coach Dave Brandt, who took the reins after nine games. The team started the season with Mark Steffens as head coach, but he was fired when the Riverhounds lost to the Lansdowne Bhoys in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Meanwhile, Brandt led the team to five wins, four more draws and plenty of ... Read More
Riverhounds release Vargas and Harlley
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have released goalkeeper Mauricio Vargas and midfielder Alex Harlley, the team announced Tuesday morning. Vargas’ release came after his request to return to his home country of Costa Rica. Vargas left Costa Rica in 2010 to attend college in the U.S. However, he requested to go home and continue his soccer career there. “In recent days, I have made the decision to return home to Costa Rica; I left in 2010 and haven’t been back since,” Vargas said. “Right now, I ... Read More
Riverhounds fall to Richmond Kickers in rain-delayed match
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds might not have consistency in net with the rotation of Mauricio Vargas and Hunter Gilstrap, but there is one thing that stays constant: It always rains when the Riverhounds have a home game. Against the Richmond Kickers on Thursday night, that didn’t change. And neither did the outcome; the Riverhounds (2-10-4) lost 2-0. The first of three consecutive home games for the Riverhounds was delayed two hours due to a power outage in Station Square, PA (where Highmark ... Read More
Pittsburgh Riverhounds fall to Bethlehem Steel FC, 2-0
Yet another change at the goalkeeper position didn’t help head coach Dave Brandt and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds get their second win under Brandt. Sunday, the Riverhounds traveled to Bethlehem, PA to face the Bethlehem Steel FC, and the Steel FC defeated the Riverhounds, 2-0. The Riverhounds used the game to make some more changes to last week’s starting defensive lineup. It was the second game in a row that defender Willie Hunt didn’t start. Starting in his place at left back was Ryan ... Read More
Riverhounds: Why is there no consistency on defense?
This season, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ biggest problem seems to be finding the back of their opponent's net. But there's another big problem that the team faces, and it has to do with the starting lineup. Under former head coach Mark Steffens, there was some consistency with his starting eleven. Now, under head coach Dave Brandt, the lineup seems to change almost constantly. Since Brandt has been the head coach, only once have the Riverhounds (2-8-3) had the same goalkeeper in ... Read More
Riverhounds’ Kevin Kerr named to USL Team of the Week
Saturday, Kevin Kerr scored his first goal of the season for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds against FC Montreal — and it hasn't gone unnoticed. He was named to the USL Team of the Week following Pittsburgh's win. Kerr, who scored his goal in the 17th minute off an assist from fellow midfielder Jack Thompson, joins two other Riverhounds players who have made the USL Team of the Week this year. Goalkeeper Mauricio Vargas made the list first, followed by midfielder Lebo Moloto. Kerr’s goal wasn’t ... Read More
COLUMN: Riverhounds might need to switch up defense
Last Saturday, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds made the decision to switch up the goalkeeper position. The Riverhounds didn’t get a win out of it, but things look promising with Mauricio Vargas in goal. However, goalkeeper might not be the only position that needs changing — the defense might, too. The Riverhounds can’t solely depend on their goalkeeper for a clean sheet. As the back line, the defense plays a major role to help Vargas (or even Hunter Gilstrap, depending on who head ... Read More