PITTSBURGH (January 3, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has re-signed free agent midfielder Danny Griffin for the 2022 season, pending USL and U.S. Soccer Federation approval of the contract.
Griffin, 23, will be back for his third year with the Hounds after establishing himself as a mainstay in the center of the field for the club.
Over the past two seasons, Griffin is the only player to appear in all 49 games for the Hounds, starting 46 of those. The Connecticut native’s 2,868 minutes played in 2021 was more than 200 more than any other Hounds player, as he started all 32 matches and played the complete game in 31.
“Danny is a versatile midfielder who gets better every time he steps on the field,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “His mentality and growth as a player has been integral in our success these past two seasons, and he continues to emerge as a leader for our group. We are excited to welcome back Danny for the 2022 USL season.”
The third-year pro was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the second round (49th overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of Providence, but he went unsigned out of camp. He then joined the Hounds during their 2020 preseason and signed his first pro deal on March 3, 2020.
With the Hounds, Griffin has established himself as an energetic, box-to-box player. He has four goals and three assists, including scoring in just his second professional game against Philadelphia Union II, and also has racked up 83 tackles and 69 interceptions in his holding midfield role.
By re-signing Griffin as a free agent, the Hounds add to their returning core of players from 2021 that carried the team to a 17-8-7 record. He is the 10th returning player announced under contract for 2022 with more signings soon to be finalized and announced.
Hounds 2022 roster (players announced as of Jan. 3)
Goalkeepers (0) — None
Defenders (5) — Ezra Armstrong, Jelani Peters, Dani Rovira, Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams
Midfielders (3) — Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin, Todd Wharton
Forwards (2) — Russell Cicerone, Alex Dixon
