PITTSBURGH (January 18, 2021) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has re-signed Dani Rovira, bringing the 24-year-old defender back for a third season with the club in 2021. The deal is for one year with a club option for 2022, pending USL Championship and USSF approval. Rovira began his pro career with the Hounds after signing as a trialist in the spring of 2019 out of the University of Vermont. In his tenure with the club, he has been utilized as both a defender and midfielder, roles he will take on again during the upcoming season.
“Dani has continued to develop as a player in his two years with the club,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “His quickness, technical ability, and versatility have enabled him to help the team in multiple positions, and we look forward to having him with our group in 2021.”
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Rovira made his club debut, starting in a 3-0 win over the Dayton Dutch Lions second-round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 14, 2019. He would go on to make eight USL appearances in his rookie season, four of them starts.
Rovira’s role expanded in his second year, as he made ten appearances and four starts out of 16 matches in the Covid-shortened 2020 season. He also recorded his first assist last season when he set up Steevan Dos Santos for the opening goal of a 2-0 win at Loudoun United on August 19.
Riverhounds SC now has nine players under contract for the 2021 season, the fourth under Lilley’s leadership.
Players currently under contract:
Forwards – Russell Cicerone, Albert Dikwa, Alex Dixon
Midfielders – Danny Griffin, Kenardo Forbes, Anthony Velarde
Defenders – Jordan Dover, Dani Rovira
Goalkeepers – Danny Vitiello
