News

Dikwa named finalist for Comeback Player of the Year

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 30, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Albert Dikwa has been named one of five finalists for the USL Championship’s Comeback Player of the Year award presented by Shift4.

Dikwa, 24, missed all but one game in the final three months of the 2021 season with a groin injury that required surgery, but he returned to post a career year in 2022. The striker from Cameroon finished second on the Hounds with 11 goals and also added four assists, both of which were the top single-season totals for the sixth-year pro.

In addition, Dikwa showed his durability by appearing in 33 of the Hounds’ 34 regular-season games and playing a total of 2,206 minutes. No stranger to physical play, Dikwa also drew a team-leading 67 fouls in 2022, which was the most on the team and placed him among the top 10 most-fouled players in the league.

This season will be the inaugural presentation of the Comeback Player of the Year, which will be voted on by a national pool of media members and the USL Technical Panel. For more about the award and the five finalists, visit uslchampionship.com.

USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year, presented by Shift4

Finalists
• Albert Dikwa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
• Amando Moreno, New Mexico United
• Santiago Patiño, San Antonio FC
• Aaron Wheeler, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
• Elijah Wynder, Louisville City FC

Riverhounds Business Alliance relaunches for 2023

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 30, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has announced the relaunch of the Riverhounds Business Alliance, presented by Consolidated Communications Inc., which will provide an opportunity for businesses in the Pittsburgh region to connect with one another through networking events and be a part of the excitement of Riverhounds soccer.

The Riverhounds Business Alliance (RBA) will offer monthly events beginning in January 2023, with a rotating schedule of unique activities and host venues to provide a fresh, rewarding experience for member companies and organizations at each gathering.

Other benefits for RBA members include an in-game presence and recognition at Riverhounds matches, savings on tickets and facilities rentals, advertising through Riverhounds digital channels, and much more.

“The Riverhounds Business Alliance was established in an effort to help connect businesses in Western Pennsylvania through unique and engaging events,” said Greg Pai, Riverhounds Director of Corporate Partnerships. “When you come out to Highmark Stadium to cheer on the Hounds, you look forward to the entire game day experience. With that in mind, our goal is to create memorable experiences for RBA members that consistently deliver networking opportunities that are both productive and enjoyable.”

Membership in the RBA is open to all area businesses, whether or not they have a previously existing relationship with the Riverhounds and Highmark Stadium.

For more information about the Alliance or to sign up your business as a member for 2023, contact Greg Pai at gpai@highmarkstadium.com or Zack Kaminski at zkaminski@riverhounds.com.

Highmark crowd savors World Cup excitement

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 26, 2022) — A crowd of nearly 2,000 fans descended upon the Riverhounds’ Highmark Stadium home on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 25 to cheer on the United States in their second group stage match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup against England.

Blue skies and a warm autumn day made it a perfect day for the event, and the fans who made up Pittsburgh’s Largest World Cup Watch Party — most decked out in red, white and blue — were treated to live music, giveaways, and most importantly, a critical result for the United States as they recorded a 0-0 draw with the favored Three Lions.

Enjoy a look back at all the fun from last Friday at Highmark Stadium, presented by the Riverhounds and their partners with Open Field:

RDA Boys wrap November tourney schedule

*The 2007 ECNL Boys finished 2-1-0 at the Bethesda Premier Cup, missing out on a perfect weekend with a tight 2-1 defeat on the final day.*

A weekend after the Riverhounds Development Academy’s girls hit the D.C. area, it was the boys’ turn to take the field Nov. 18-20 at the Bethesda Premier Cup in Bethesda, Md., and the Nation’s Capital Cup in McLean, Va.

Among the older RDA teams, both the 2006 and 2007 Boys finished second in their showcase divisions with matching 2-1-0 records.

The 06s began with a 2-1 win over Next Level Soccer that was more one-sided than the score showed, and Parker Brennan was excellent in the Hounds’ midfield. The team had to shake off a 4-0 loss to group winners Skyline Elite (Va.) and did so on the final day, topping Wake FC (N.C.), 1-0.

For the 07s, it was consecutive wins to begin the event, starting with a big second half to top Pipeline SC (Md.), 3-0, on a Milo Chiu header and a brace by Roman Agostoni. Aedan Costa took over the second game, a 3-1 win over the Western New York Flash, scoring twice after assisting Ethan Voight-Cherna for the opener. The perfect weekend evaded the team in the finale, as they were topped 2-1 in a tight contest with SJEB FC (N.J.).

Both the 2008 and 2009 squads finished 1-1-1 on the weekend, while the 2010 Boys won both their group games to advance to the semifinals. Ryan Perez scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Bethesda, and Owen Medved and Perez gave the Hounds a 2-1 win over FC Europa before being beaten in the knockout stage by Pickering FC (Ontario).

The Regional League sides also provided some big results, as the 2004/05 RL Boys began the weekend with a 3-0 win on Friday, the 2006 RL side was the RDA’s lone undefeated outfit at 1-0-2, and the 2008 RLs took the runner-up spot with a 2-1-0 record in their group.

At the Nation’s Capital Cup, the RDA came closest to bringing home a trophy through its youngest side, the 2014 Boys who reached the championship game before falling 5-2 against Coppermine SC (Md.).

To reach the final, the team swept through its group with a 3-0-0 record. The Hounds defeated Maryland United, 4-2, and squeezed past a very good South County Youth SC (Va.) team, 3-1, on the first day as Neal Mechling scored three in the two matches. The team secured the group’s top spot with a 5-1 win on Sunday over Arlington SA (Va.) sparked by a Stefan Gaidos hat trick.

Those events wrapped the RDA’s November schedule, as a short Thanksgiving break will give way to the return of the Riverhounds SC Three Rivers College Showcase for its second edition this December.

RDA Girls capture D.C.-area tourney success

*The RDA 2006 Girls pose for a photo with the Miami Strikers, their final opponent of the weekend in Maryland.*

The Veterans Day weekend saw the RDA’s girls sides in action at tournaments in the D.C. area, as the Hounds’ older teams took part in the Bethesda Premier Cup in Maryland and the younger squads were at the Nation’s Capital Cup in Northern Virginia.

For the older teams, it was the first action of the new competitive year after players regrouped from their recently completed high school seasons. That meant there was some rust to shake off, but many of the teams started to hit their groove, as the 2006 Girls did with a pair of wins.

After a 1-0 loss to a penalty kick by A3 Soccer, the 06s bounced back with a 1-0 win over Great Falls/Reston (Va.) on a Stephanie Tovar goal and a 2-1 victory over the Miami Strikers with Tovar and Sophia DeJesus scoring for the Hounds. The side improved through the weekend but still needs to clean things up in front of the opponents’ goal to put away games.

The RDA’s older Regional League sides also had good weekends, with the 2004/05 RL side posting a pair of victories and the 2006 RL Girls recording the only perfect 3-0-0 weekend of the bunch.

For the 04/05s, Lola Abraham put up a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Maryland Rush, and Bella Vozar had the only goal in a 1-0 win over Springfield (Va.), but the Richmond Strikers got the better of the Hounds in the finale, 3-2.

The 06 RL side started with a 3-1 win over Va. Revolution with two goals by Kate Hillegas and a volley by Kali Booker from a corner kick. Next up was a one-sided 7-2 victory over Maryland Rush with four more for Hillegas and Booker, Angie McGrath and Emily Sinton all finding the net. The perfect weekend required a scrappy 2-0 win over Deptford (N.J.), as Hillegas and Sinton each had a goal and assist after a scoreless first half, and the Hounds closed out the clean sheet.

Also at Bethesda, the 2007 RL Girls also had a strong weekend with a 1-1-1 record. Reese Phillips had a pair of goals on the weekend for the Hounds, who showed their toughness by making it through the three matches playing without any substitutes.

*The 2012 RDA Girls captured their third consecutive tournament title at the Nation’s Capital Cup in McLean, Va.*

At the Nation’s Capital Cup, every team in action picked up at least two wins, but it was the 2012 Girls who brought home the trophy by defeating the Western New York Flash in the final, 2-0.

The defense of Bailey Watts, Madison Szmyd, Emerson Catchen and Natalie Corbin combined to lead the team to three clean sheets in their four matches as they adjusted to playing on a bigger field. Mia Salsi and Danika Brummett scored in the championship game, while Addison Carpenter finished the weekend with three goals for the Hounds.

The 2013 Girls also reached the final, where they were topped by the host club, McLean, but clinching their group title came with some drama. The Hounds and Great Falls/Reston finished with matching 2-0-1 records after a 2-2 draw, so it was straight to penalty kicks, where the Hounds advanced to the title game. The 2011 and 2014 sides, meanwhile, each finished second in their group at 2-1-0.

After the busy girls weekend, this weekend will be the boys’ turn, as the Hounds’ teams head to the second weekend at the same two events.

Waite debuts for Jamaican National Team

(Nov. 9, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made his international debut, starting for the Jamaican National Team and helping them to a 1-1 draw against World Cup-bound Cameroon this afternoon at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Waite, 23, played all 90 minutes for the Reggae Boyz to add another personal milestone to his first professional season.

After signing with the Hounds as a free agent out of the University of Connecticut this spring, Waite worked his way into the starting role and finished 2022 with eight shutouts in 25 games across all competitions. He also played the hero role with seven saves and three additional stops in a shootout to advance the Hounds past Birmingham Legion FC in this year’s USL Championship Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

The match in Cameroon was the African nation’s first of two final tune-up matches for the FIFA World Cup. But Waite and Jamaica — ranked 64th in the world in the latest FIFA World Rankings, and playing their final match of 2022 — came prepared. Jamaica took the lead in the 60th minute on a goal by Justin McMaster before the hosts — ranked 43rd — tied the match in the 74th minute through a Djawal Kaiba strike that was redirected off a defender’s leg.

The Hounds are currently beginning preparations for the 2023 USL Championship season, starting with the team’s preseason camp to commence in late January or early February. The 2023 regular season is scheduled to begin in March.

Ribbon cutting officially opens AHN Montour facility

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (Nov. 2, 2022) — Representatives of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), Highmark Health and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC joined community leaders and elected officials today in Coraopolis to officially unveil the new AHN Montour Health + Sports Medicine Center. One of the largest sports complexes of its kind in the U.S., the 78-acre development includes multiple indoor and outdoor athletic fields conjoined with a 20,000-square-foot medical facility that will serve as a premier destination for sports performance training and medical care.

Located at 2419 State Ave., the new facility is expected to open to patients on Monday, Nov. 7.

Developed in collaboration with the Hounds, the AHN Montour Health + Sports Medicine Center currently features three turfed, FIFA regulation-sized soccer and multi-purpose fields, including one full-size indoor field for year-round use. Seven additional outdoor fields are under construction with completion expected in 2023. The new campus will be utilized as a practice site for th Riverhounds and home base for the Riverhounds Development Academy, which annually trains more than 5,000 athletes ranging from 4-18 years old.

Leading clinicians from the AHN Orthopaedic Institute will provide onsite orthopaedics and sports medicine services to patients and athletes of all ages at the Montour site, including physical/occupational therapy, sports performance training, a physician-led concussion diagnosis and management program, and more.

Patients will also have access at the sprawling campus to AHN primary care, pediatric care, laboratory services and diagnostic imaging, including X-ray and MRI.

“As part of AHN’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of patients across Western Pennsylvania, we are so pleased to bring this incredible new resource to the community, and country, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds,” said Patrick DeMeo, MD, chair, AHN Orthopaedic Institute. “Our exceptional team of caregivers looks forward to meeting the needs of patients and athletes at every level from this outstanding facility for decades to come.”

From the AHN Orthopaedic Institute, the facility will be staffed by sports medicine primary care physician Ravi Ved, DO, as well as adult reconstruction surgeons Alan Slipak, MD, and Jeffrey Sewecke, DO; sports medicine surgeons Sam Akhavan, MD, DJ Phillips, MD, and Aaron Burgess, MD; foot and ankle surgeon James Sferra, MD; and orthopaedic spine surgeon Ryan Sauber, MD.

A key component of the new facility’s offerings will be AHN’s sports performance services led by Frank Velasquez, director of AHN sports performance and a nationally recognized specialist in sports performance training. AHN’s comprehensive sports performance program includes personalized strength training and conditioning programs designed for active adults and athletes of any age and level, advanced injury prevention and recovery regimens s for individuals and teams, and detailed sports performance evaluations.

Participants in the sports performance program will have access to state-of-the-art sports performance and recovery equipment such as the Alter G Anti-Gravity Treadmill; a Cryo-Sauna designed to promote faster healing of injuries; a Dynavision Visumotor System designed to enhance reaction times and coordination; a Vibration Drum and Platform used to assist with warm-up, exercises and cool down during workouts; and Recovery Pump Compression Boots that promote circulation and shorten injury recovery times.

The facility’s Sports Science Lab — a first of its kind in the region — features advanced technology used to identify restrictions or areas of weakness within an athlete’s body by capturing in-depth metrics and analytics. Trainers will use this information to aid them in building out an athlete’s strength training template and progression plan.

AHN Pediatric and Primary Care Institutes will also offer services at AHN Montour, providing a full spectrum of comprehensive care from the earliest years on. Patients, and families, will be able to schedule annual visits, wellness checkups as well as seek acute care five days a week. AHN pediatrician Howard Topol, MD, and primary care physician Sarah Shinn, MD, are available for appointments beginning Nov. 7.

AHN has been the official medical provider of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC since 2008. The new facility is another testament to the value of the organizations’ long partnership, said Tuffy Shallenberger, owner of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and developer of the complex.

“We’re grateful that Allegheny Health Network has been the longest-running partner of the Riverhounds organization, and a lot of work from everyone involved has gone into making this complex a reality,” Shallenberger said. “This facility is going to be second to none, and it will provide terrific benefits to our organizations, the Coraopolis community and athletes from all around the region.”

To learn more about sports medicine and performance at AHN, visit https://www.ahn.org/services/orthopaedic/specialties/sports-medicine.

Kenardo Forbes named to All-League Second Team

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 1, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC midfielder Kenardo Forbes was named to the USL Championship All-League Second Team for the 2022 season, the league announced this afternoon.

Forbes, 34, already the all-time leader in assists in USL Championship and Riverhounds history, added to those records in another outstanding season for the club. He had 10 assists in the regular season, a career high and one off the league lead, to go with three goals while he helped guide the Hounds as one of two players to appear in every league match for the team this year.

In addition to his scoring, Forbes completed 79.8 percent of his passes overall and was credited with a team-leading 78 key passes — passes that lead to scoring chances or would-be assists. He also remains a steady two-way player, finishing third on the team with 51 tackles and winning the ball on 25 of those challenges.

The Hounds’ captain and longest-tenured player has been a steady presence since arriving in Pittsburgh prior to the 2018 season. He has been selected to the All-League first or second team in all five seasons with the Hounds, including being one of the three finalists for Most Valuable Player in 2019.

Forbes’ arrival in Pittsburgh coincides with the most successful five-year stretch in club history. The team has reached the playoffs and had a winning record each year starting with the 2018 season; this year, they finished 16-9-9 in the regular season and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second time in four years.

The complete All-League teams can be seen at uslchampionship.com.

Hounds suffer shootout heartbreak in semis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC saw its season come to a close after falling on penalty kicks top-seeded Louisville City FC, 5-4, after playing to a 2-2 draw in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Semifinals tonight at Lynn Family Stadium.

Russell Cicerone scored twice in regulation time to give the Hounds a two-goal lead, but Louisville pushed back into the game with two goals in three minutes from Manny Perez and Cameron Lancaster to force extra time and, eventually, a shootout.

It is the third time in the past four seasons the Hounds have been knocked out of the playoffs by Louisville — two of those in games that lasted beyond regulation. The Hounds finish the season with a 16-9-11 record in USL matches, their fifth straight winning season and fifth straight in the playoffs.

First half

The Hounds shocked the home crowd by taking the lead on their first shot on goal in the 14th minute.

Robbie Mertz got free down the right flank and struck a cross that was just too high for his teammates and the defenders in front of the center of goal. That allowed the ball to drop for Cicerone at the far post, and the Hounds’ leading scorer took a touch before slotting home a shot inside the near post.

Most of Louisville’s threats in the first half came from corner kicks, and the Hounds defended well enough to hold the hosts without a shot on goal in the first 45.

Second half

Things looked even better for the Hounds when Kenardo Forbes slotted a pass through the Louisville back line to send Cicerone in on a 47th-minute breakaway, and Cicerone finished the chance with a calm finish for his 15th goal of the season. With the goal, Cicerone joined Neco Brett as the only Hounds players to have consecutive 15-goal seasons (all competitions), while Forbes got his career-best 11th assist of the year.

The Hounds continued to create chances on the break while focusing on protecting the lead, and Albert Dikwa nearly added another goal on the break in the 76th minute, only to be denied by Louisville goalie Danny Faundez. While Louisville finished the match with 66 percent of possession, shots on goal was only 7-6 in the hosts’ favor, and even the advanced xG metric (expected goals finished 1.62-1.56 Louisville.

Things went sour for the Hounds in the 83th minute on a Louisville free kick. Jahmali Waite made an excellent stop on Josh Wynder — one of four saves in the match for Waite — but he couldn’t stop Perez’s rebound finish.

Barely a minute later, Shane Wiedt was whistled for a foul challenging Elijah Wynder in the box, and Lancaster converted the kick to tie the match in the 85th minute.

Extra time

The extra time periods went end-to-end, and Waite kept things level with an outstanding stop on Sean Totsch‘s volley from a corner kick in the 98th minute.

A minute later, Edward Kizza, the hero of the conference quarterfinals, had the ball in the net for another extra time goal and a potential winner, but a dubious offside flag negated the strike.

With their winning goal disallowed, the Hounds headed to penalties for a second straight game, and the decisive play was made by Faundez on the Hounds’ first kick, as he dove to his left to make a strong stop on Danny Griffin. Neither team missed for the remainder of kicks from the mark, and the Hounds’ season ended when Carlos Moguel Jr. converted for Louisville.

Hounds Man of the Match

Russell Cicerone completed his second year as a difference-maker for the Hounds with a two-goal contest, and he also finished the match with a team-best 88 percent passing completion rate.

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-2-3) — Jahmali Waite; Dani Rovira (Angelo Kelly 58′), Mekeil Williams (Jelani Peters 58′), Arturo Ordóñez, Shane Wiedt (Edward Kizza 91′), Alex Dixon (Toby Sims 82′); Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin; Russell Cicerone (Marc Ybarra 82′), Robbie Mertz (William Eyang 91′), Albert Dikwa

Louisville City FC lineup (3-4-3) — Danny Faundez; Josh Wynder, Wes Charpie (Corben Bone 46′), Sean Totsch; Amadou Dia, Paolo DelPiccolo (Eli Wynder 69′), Tyler Gibson (Carlos Moguel Jr. 69′), Manny Perez; Enoch Mushagalusa, Wilson Harris (Cameron Lancaster 69′, Oscar Jimenez 91′), Ray Serrano (Napo Matoso 69′)

Scoring summary

PIT — Russell Cicerone 14′ (Robbie Mertz)
PIT — Russell Cicerone 47′ (Kenardo Forbes)
LOU — Manny Perez 83′
LOU — Cameron Lancaster 85′ (penalty)

Discipline summary

PIT — Dani Rovira 45+2′ (caution – persistent infringement)
PIT — Mekeil Williams 54′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
LOU — Josh Wynder 62′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT — Shane Wiedt 84′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
LOU — Manny Perez 88′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT — Albert Dikwa 90+4′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT — Russell Cicerone 103′ (caution – dissent)
LOU — Amadou Dia 115′ (caution – unsporting behavior)

Kicks from the Penalty Mark summary

LOU (Goalkeeper: Faundez) — Totsch, J.Wynder, Jimenez, Matsoso, Moguel Jr.

PIT (Goalkeeper: Waite) — Griffin (miss), Forbes, Sims, Dikwa

Playoff Game Day: Hounds at Louisville City FC

Match info

#5 Riverhounds (16-9-10) vs. #1 Louisville City FC (22-6-6)
Date: Saturday, October 29
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Ky.
Odds (90 minutes): Hounds +400 / Draw +320 / Louisville -190 (FanDuel)
TV: 22 The Point
Streaming: ESPN+
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on Twitter
Match hashtags: #LOUvPIT, #HOUNDTAHN and #HuntAsOne

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2022) — For the third time in four seasons, the playoffs have brought together the Hounds with Louisville City FC, and a spot in the Eastern Conference Final is on the line Saturday night.

Louisville got the best of the Hounds as an underdog in 2019, stealing a 2-1 extra time win at Highmark Stadium, and they also came out 2-0 winners in 2020 when the teams met in the postseason at Lynn Family Stadium. This year, Louisville is the top seed in the East, but the Hounds have hopes of returning the favor from 2019 after having played a 0-0 draw with Louisville barely more than a month ago.

The Hounds are 3-1-3 in the regular season against Louisville under Bob Lilley, but while postseason success has eluded the Hounds in two tries, Lilley has taken down Louisville in the postseason. On the way to the 2015 USL title, his Rochester Rhinos team — one that featured current Hounds Alex Dixon and Kenardo Forbes — scored a 1-0 win over Louisville in the Eastern Conference Final.

With all that in mind, Louisville is clearly the team to beat in the East with home field assured in conference play and a plus-37 goal difference in 34 games. Former Hounds goalkeeper Kyle Morton has been one of the league’s best, and the home team has no shortage of attacking options with Wilson Harris (15 goals), Enoch Mushagalusa (10 goals) leading the way. Louisville also has an ace in the hole with veteran Cameron Lancaster on the bench; the lethal striking threat has three goals in six games since returning from a long-term injury.

Louisville likes to pin its opponents deep and keep up the pressure, so the Hounds will need to make sure they get on the front foot and counter with scoring of their own, which will fall to the energy of Russell Cicerone (13 goals) and Albert Dikwa (11 goals). Robbie Mertz joined Kenardo Forbes with his 10th assist of the year in last week’s playoff win at Birmingham — though six of Mertz’s came with Atlanta — and the Hounds got their most important goals off the season from the bench last Sunday from on-loan and suddenly in-form Edward Kizza.

Should the Hounds manage to advance on the road for a second straight weekend, it would be notable for more reasons than knocking off the East’s No. 1 seed. It would bring the Hounds two wins from a league title for only the third time in 23 seasons, and it would be the first appearance in a conference final since the USL Championship went to a geographically split alignment in 2015.

Those eager to watch the game with their fellow Hounds fans in Pittsburgh are encouraged to head to Mike’s Beer Bar on the North Shore, the official watch party location of the Hounds. The game will be aired live on 22 The Point and streamed via ESPN+.

Game Notes at Louisville – Eastern Conference Semifinal Download

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USL Championship Comeback Player of the Year, presented by Shift4

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