PITTSBURGH (March 7, 2018) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC further bolstered its backline with the additions of preseason trialists Hugh Roberts and Todd Pratzner on one-year deals with club options for the 2019 season, pending USL and USSF approval.
Previously playing for Eastern Conference foes last season, Roberts joins the Black and Gold after competing for Bethlehem Steel FC, while Pratzner last played under head coach Bob Lilley with the Rochester Rhinos.
These latest signings boost the Hounds’ roster to 21 players currently under contract.
Roberts, 25, recorded 25 games played with Steel FC in 2017 and, including his postseason start, led the club with 112 clearances at central defense. His professional experience dates back to 2014, when he spent three seasons with the Richmond Kickers from 2014-16. He amassed 74 appearances and two goals in Virginia, including playing every minute of the 2016 campaign en route to USL All-League First Team honors.
“Hugh is an experienced guy in our league who will add some stability to our backline,” Lilley said. “He provides a solid presence in the air and takes pride in his defending.”
A native of Olney, Maryland, Roberts played collegiate ball at George Mason University from 2010-13. He finished his Patriots career with 69 appearances, six goals and nine assists, as well as several accolades, including All-Region and All-Colonial Athletic Association honors.
In addition to his time spent at George Mason, Roberts had a brief stint in the Premier Development League (PDL) with the Baltimore Bohemians from 2012-13.
Pratzner, 23, joins the Hounds after spending his rookie year in Rochester. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania native posted 13 appearances during the 2017 season in addition to starting both of the Rhinos’ playoff games.
“Todd was very reliable for us last year in Rochester,” Lilley said. “He’s a very coachable player who is always ready to take on whatever role he is given.”
Prior to his time in upstate New York, Pratzner competed at Xavier University from 2013-16. In 71 games played, the center back was named to the BIG EAST Conference All-Tournament Team as a junior, in addition to anchoring a defensive unit that set school records in shutouts (11) and team goals-against average (0.84) as a sophomore.
Pratzner’s amateur career is also of note, as he served as captain of the Philadelphia Union Academy team and trained with the Union MLS reserves in 2012.
Roberts, Pratzner and the rest of Riverhounds SC continues preseason action this weekend with a date against Penn FC on Saturday, March 10 at Highmark Stadium. Set to kick off at 3 p.m., the match is free to attend for the public. 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 (6): Tobi Adewole, Jordan Dover, Joe Greenspan, Raymond Lee, Todd Pratzner, Hugh Roberts
Goalkeepers (3): Mike Kirk, Dan Lynd, Kyle Morton
