When Ryan James was just 4 years old, he would attend his sister’s soccer games as a fan, and then as a team member.
While he did not play in games with the team of 6-year-olds, he was given a jersey from his father and was allowed to sit on the bench eating orange slices and drinking water with his “teammates.”
James fell in love with the sport early, practicing frequently after school. And then he watched his brother go on to play in college and professionally.
“It became one of those things where I kept seeing people in my life doing well in soccer and I wanted to be a part of it,” James said. “It’s really integrated in my family.”
Now, in his second year with the Hounds, James plays a sport he loves in front of the Steel Army supporters group.
James said the Steel Army is one of his favorite parts of playing in Pittsburgh and something he is looking forward to doing after restrictions due to COVID-19 are lifted.
“To play soccer is amazing and I’m thankful I get to do it every day,” James said. “But to play in front of the fans who say ‘hi’ to you at every game and support you whether you win or lose is a special moment I think I’ve been missing.”
James recalled one of his favorite moments with the Riverhounds was when the fans greeted the team at the airport with signs and cheers last season after the Eastern Conference was clinched.
To prepare for moments like these, James had been working on staying in shape while at home in Canada, before returning to Pittsburgh to participate in voluntary small group trainings.
“I did lots of walking and playing Just Dance,” James said. “I do that a lot with my mom, she loves to dance.”
James said he has also been reading books in his free time and watching Netflix – Avatar being one of his new favorites to watch.
Now back in Pittsburgh, James said he has been attending the small group trainings and working on trying to be sharp with his passes and crosses on the field.
James said trying to get the chemistry back between the team during the small group sessions has been a challenge because of the nature of the sport.
“It’s one thing to play and get into a session alone or with a small group,” James said. “But once you are playing with contact and a larger group, the game changes.”
