PITTSBURGH (March 5, 2018) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has signed former Portland Timbers midfielder Ben Zemanski to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2019 season, pending USL and USSF approval.
Registering more than 130 career appearances in MLS, Zemanski, 29, joins the club after spending the past five seasons in the Pacific Northwest.
“Ben will bring quality as well as experience to our team,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “His well-rounded skillset will enable us to employ him effectively in many different ways.”
From 2013-17, Zemanski suited up for the Timbers and logged 61 appearances primarily at the holding midfield position. The Akron, Ohio native posted his highest-scoring season during the 2013 campaign, accounting for one goal and two assists in 25 games played – additionally the club’s first-ever playoff appearance. Although missing the 2015 season due to injury, Zemanski was a member of the MLS Cup-winning squad and had a considerable role in the Queen City side’s overall rise to prominence in league play.
This past season saw Zemanski split time with the Timbers and their USL affiliate, Timbers 2, making 10 appearances in total.
Zemanski began his MLS career with Chivas USA, where he spent three seasons from 2010-12. The midfielder appeared in at least 22 games each year, finishing his Chivas USA career with 72 games played (58 starts), two goals and seven assists.
Across all eight of his MLS seasons, Zemanski has 133 games played (89 starts), three goals and 11 assists.
Prior to being selected with the No. 47 overall pick in the third round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA, Zemanski played collegiately at the University of Akron from 2006-09. Under head coach Caleb Porter, who would go on to coach Zemanski in Portland from 2013-17, he made 86 appearances and racked up numerous accolades, including All-Mid American Conference honors and was an instrumental piece in the Zips’ runner-up finish at the 2009 NCAA Championship.
With the addition of Zemanski, the Hounds now have 19 players officially under contract.
Currently unbeaten in exhibition play, Riverhounds SC continues their preseason action against Penn FC on Saturday, March 10 at Highmark Stadium. For more information, visit www.riverhounds.com.
Roster breakdown for 2018 season
Forwards (4): Kay Banjo, Neco Brett, Dennis Chin, Romeo Parkes
Midfielders (8): Mouhamed Dabo, Ben Fitzpatrick, Bakie Goodman, Kenardo Forbes, Joe Holland, Christiano François, Kevin Kerr, Ben Zemanski
Defenders (4): Tobi Adewole, Jordan Dover, Joe Greenspan, Raymond Lee
Goalkeepers (3): Mike Kirk, Dan Lynd, Kyle Morton
