After a three-game win streak in the USL, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds dropped their match against Chicago United FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The annual tournament — hosted by U.S. Soccer — has clubs from various different leagues in the United States battle each other. Clubs ranging from the top-tier professionals all the way to amateur clubs fight for the trophy. However, the Riverhounds won’t be hoisting the cup. The Riverhounds traveled to Chicago, leaving behind players like ... Read More
Riverhounds goalie Keasel Broome coming into his own
Keasel Broome had unfinished business with Pittsburgh. That’s why the goalkeeper signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds back in November. “The Riverhounds was the first place I came on trial after college,” Broome says. “When I was on trial, I was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes, and I want to finish where I first started my journey.” But that trial wasn’t the only time Broome was in Pittsburgh before he signed with the Riverhounds. Broome also played against the Riverhounds last ... Read More
Kay Banjo almost quit soccer — now he’s a forward for the Riverhounds
Kay Banjo almost gave up on soccer. Almost. “I was struggling, an injury occurred, and my way of thinking at the time wasn’t good,” Banjo says. “I just felt like people weren’t there when I needed them. But a lot of things change, and I thank God and my family for staying with me.” Banjo, who struggled to find a college that would accept him, recently made his first professional start as a forward for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who he signed with in November 2016. In his first ... Read More
Riverhounds acquire Joseph Greenspan on loan
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have found another centerback to help bolster their defense. The club announced Monday afternoon that it acquired Joseph Greenspan on loan from MLS team Minnesota United FC. Greenspan became a member of Minnesota United FC after he was traded from the Colorado Rapids (another MLS team) on December 11, 2016. He was originally drafted by the Rapids with the 28th overall pick in second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. With the Rapids, Greenspan featured in four ... Read More
Hertzog’s late goal propels Riverhounds past Charleston
Just call Corey Hertzog the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' utility man. The striker continues to add to his goal count this season — and not just with his feet. Saturday, Hertzog scored the game-winning goal for the Riverhounds against the Charleston Battery with his head. That header, which occurred in the second half's stoppage time, was assisted by captain Kevin Kerr and gave the Riverhounds 2-1 win and all three points on the road. The game started out with a goal from the Battery when ... Read More
Columbus Crew SC loan defender Lalas Abubakar to Riverhounds
With their defender numbers dwindling, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds turned to their MLS counterpart for some help. The Columbus Crew SC sent defender Lalas Abubakar to the Riverhounds on a “match-to-match” basis loan. Pittsburgh defender Gale Agbossoumonde will be out for this weekend’s match against the Charleston Battery due to two cautions and a red card last Saturday against FC Cincinnati. Also expected to miss this Satuday's match is defender Ryan Adeleye, who is dealing with a lower-body ... Read More
Riverhounds fall to FC Cincinnati, 1-0, at Highmark Stadium
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds opened their season last weekend against the reigning USL champions, the New York Red Bulls II, with a draw. This week, however, they weren’t as lucky with the final score. Saturday at Highmark Stadium, the Riverhounds fell to FC Cincinnati, a new rival club, by a 1-0 final score. Pittsburgh had a bit of a conundrum when Gale Agbossoumonde was shown a red card in the 42’ minute. Agbossoumonde, who joined the team right before the start of the season, was shown ... Read More
Riverhounds’ Corey Hertzog named USL Player of the Week
For the first time since 2015, someone on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' roster is the USL Player of the Week. Forward Corey Hertzog got the honor after his two-goal performance against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday. The Riverhounds and Red Bulls II drew 3-3, with Pittsburgh captain Kevin Kerr notching the other goal. Hertzog’s first goal was a stellar chip past a defender and then past goalkeeper Rafael Diaz. To celebrate, Hertzog picked up the ball-boy and celebrated with the Steel ... Read More
Riverhounds kick off 2017 season with a 3-3 draw
Fans waited — and tailgated — outside Highmark Stadium on Saturday until the gates opened at 4 p.m. It was the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' season opener, and the eyes of children gleamed as they looked at they players like they were their heroes. The stands quickly filled up to watch the Riverhounds, led by head coach Dave Brandt, take on the New York Red Bulls II, the defending USL champions. The Riverhounds had a dismal season last year, but they kicked off their 2017 campaign with a point, as ... Read More
O jogo bonito: Brazilian-born Victor Souto’s story of futebol — and soccer
Victor Souto started playing football when he was five. Yes, football. No, there weren't any shoulder pads or helmets involved. Souto was born and raised in Brazil, where “futebol” (American soccer) is at the heart and soul of the nation. The country is a haven for “o jogo bonito” (“the beautiful game), football players — think: Pelé, Ronaldinho, Marta — and fans. It's a place where instead of dreaming of being the next Tom Brady, kids dream of being the next Neymar and making a living ... Read More