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Looking back at 2017, Inside The Box conducts its first-ever best-of season recap series. In the final installment of this five-part feature, we reflect on the Riverhounds’ best moments. 

April 8: Charleston Battery Victory

The Hounds won their first game of the season in dramatic fashion. In extra time, Kevin Kerr connected a cross to the head of Corey Hertzog, who scored the game-winning goal in front of the road crowd.

April 30: Watson Institute Special Kick Clinic

This past spring, the Hounds hosted the fifth annual Watson Institute Special Kick Clinic at Highmark Stadium. Allowing for special needs children to safely participate in soccer drills, the Special Kick Clinic saw the likes of pro team players Taylor Washington and Jack Thompson, among others, help provide a team-building and joyous atmosphere.

Aug. 5: Payton’s Army Night

In support of 11-year-old Payton Michele Bowling, who had been diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a rare form of brain cancer), the Hounds and the Pittsburgh community came together during the Aug. 5 home game against the Richmond Kickers. To help with medical costs as Payton recovers from successful surgery that she underwent this past May, the Hounds hosted a fundraiser with all proceeds going directly to the Bowling family. Professional teams in Pittsburgh and across the USL donated items to be bid on, and Hounds game-worn jerseys were auctioned off postgame.

Aug. 12: Keystone Derby Cup Win

For the first time since its inaugural year in 2015, the Hounds clinched the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, with a dominant 3-0 road performance against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Trey Mitchell recorded the shutout whereas Romeo Parkes (one goal) and Chevaughn Walsh (two goals) supplied the offense.

Sept. 16: Pittsburgh Spirit Night

Throwing it back to the 1980s, soccer fans celebrated Spirit Night at Highmark Stadium this past September. Honoring the previous professional indoor soccer team, the Pittsburgh Spirit, players donned special Spirit tops during warmups and former Spirit players participated in a pregame meet and greet.

Looking back at 2017, Inside The Box conducts its first-ever best-of season recap series. In the fourth installment of this five-part feature, we reflect on the Riverhounds’ best saves. Which save was your favorite? Cast your vote below.

Keasel Broome: June 22 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Pittsburgh held a 2-0 lead, but Tampa Bay made a furious rally attempt in extra time only to be stonewalled by Keasel Broome. The Rowdies sent a shot on target from atop the 18-yard box, and Broome made a leaping stop. The ball caromed in front of the net and the goalkeeper faced two additional point-blank attempts from the Rowdies, blocking them both away and preserving the 2-0 shutout.

Keasel Broome: July 15 at Bethlehem Steel FC

Broome had only a split-second to react to a shot from within the penalty area. James Chambers of Steel FC released an uncontested shot on goal, and Broome jumped and dove to his right to block the ball away from the net.

Trey Mitchell: Aug. 19 at Saint Louis FC

With the score deadlocked at 1-1, Trey Mitchell stood alone on the goal line awaiting a penalty try from Milan Petosevic. Sending a left-footed shot at the left side of the goal, Petosevic’s chance was denied when Mitchell made a spectacular diving save, which aided the Hounds in their eventual 2-1 victory.

Matt Perrella: Aug. 30 at New York Red Bulls II

Putting the ball on a rope, Dan Metzger ticketed a shot to the upper-most portion of the Pittsburgh goal. Being more than prepared, Matt Perrella soared to his left and threw up his right hand to send the shot away from danger.

Matt Perrella: Oct. 7 vs. Rochester Rhinos

With striker Jochen Graf bearing down on him, Perrella braced himself and blocked a header away to his left. The Pittsburgh goalkeeper was not finished, as Graf collected the rebound and sent another shot on target. Perrella again recorded a save, rising to his feet in the nick of time to clear away yet another dangerous ball.

Stay tuned for the final installment of Inside The Box’s best-of 2017 series on Friday, as we take a look at the best moments of this season.

Looking back at 2017, Inside The Box conducts its first-ever best-of season recap series. In the third installment of this five-part feature, we reflect on the Riverhounds’ best kits. Which kit was your favorite? Cast your vote below.

Black and Gold

Throughout the season, the Hounds sported the classic Pittsburgh Black and Gold kits, often while playing under the shadows of the Steel City at Highmark Stadium.

Road Blues

Carrying on the tradition of an older color scheme, the Hounds flashed blue and white on road trips in 2017, including a trip to Harrisburg that culminated with winning the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Military Appreciation Camouflage

For Military Appreciation Night on May 20, the Hounds threw on special camouflage kits. These jerseys were auctioned off after the match with proceeds being dedicated to local charities, such as Wounded Warrior Project Pittsburgh and Operation Troop Appreciation.

Kick for Cancer Pink

In support of breast cancer awareness, the team donned special pink kits that were autographed and auctioned off postgame with proceeds going toward Susan G. Komen® Pittsburgh to help “kick” cancer on Oct. 7 against the Rochester Rhinos.

Payton’s Army Black

Partnering with Payton’s Army, a group formed to help 11-year-old Payton Michele Bowling, who had been diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (a rare form of brain cancer) and underwent successful surgery this past May, Pittsburgh wore black-colored kits during its Aug. 5 match against Richmond. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game as part of a fundraiser for Payton’s Army.

Stay tuned for the fourth installment of Inside The Box’s best-of 2017 series on Thursday, as we take a look at the best saves of this season.

Looking back at 2017, Inside The Box conducts its first-ever best-of season recap series. In the second installment of this five-part feature, we reflect on the Riverhounds’ best goals. Which goal was your favorite? Cast your vote below.

Corey Hertzog: March 25 vs. New York Red Bulls II

Finding himself along the end line by the New York goal, Corey Hertzog went to work. The forward hit the ball up past one defender, tapped it around the goalkeeper and shot it past one more opponent into the back of the goal. The tally was the first goal on the season for Hertzog and the Hounds.

Victor Souto: May 3 vs. Toronto FC II

It was a moment worthy of the No. 2 spot on Sportscenter’s Top 10 plays. Victor Souto found himself alone on the pitch about 30 yards away from the net. The rookie then let loose a powerful shot that sailed past Toronto FC II defenders and goalkeeper into the top-right corner of the goal.

Chevaughn Walsh: Aug. 12 at Harrisburg City Islanders

Not giving up on the play, Chevaughn Walsh sprinted toward the Harrisburg goalkeeper, as he tried to collect and pick up the ball. The striker knocked the sphere from his reach and sent a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner of the net. The tally aided the Hounds as they went on to win the match and the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Corey Hertzog: Aug. 19 at Saint Louis FC

From about 25 yards out, Hertzog lined up to take a free kick. He elected to shoot, and the ball glided over the defensive wall and the outstretched hand of the Saint Louis goalkeeper. The tally served as a second-half equalizer in Pittsburgh’s 2-1 victory.

Kevin Kerr: Aug. 26 vs. Bethlehem Steel FC

Rallying from a 2-0 deficit, Bethlehem tied the game at 2-2 in the 71st minute. But just four minutes later, Kevin Kerr notched the game-winning tally. Seeing a loose ball along the Steel FC goalmouth, the captain sprinted at the net and sent the ball into the twine.

Corey Hertzog: Sept. 2 at FC Cincinnati

The nil-nil score did not last for long, as Hertzog broke the ice in the third minute. The Penn State product fended off a defender before turning and launching a left-footed shot past the diving goalkeeper in front of a hostile road crowd totaling more than 22,000 fans.

Stay tuned for the third installment of Inside The Box’s best-of 2017 series on Wednesday, as we take a look at the best kits of this season.

Looking back at 2017, Inside The Box conducts its first-ever best-of season recap series. In the first installment of this five-part feature, we reflect on the Riverhounds’ best wins. Which win was your favorite? Cast your vote below.

April 8: at Charleston Battery

In the 2017 campaign’s third game, the Hounds were in search of their first victory. Tied in stoppage time at 1-1, Charleston and Pittsburgh were seemingly destined to each come away with a point at the final whistle. However, Kevin Kerr and Corey Hertzog had other plans. During the first minute of stoppage time, the captain sent a long cross into the box, which connected with the diving head of Hertzog. The ball beat goalkeeper Alex Tambakis and the Black and Gold earned its first win of the season.

June 22: vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

All hands were on deck in Pittsburgh’s 2-0 win against Tampa Bay. On the offensive end, it was a team effort and four different players (Chevaughn Walsh, Romeo Parkes, Hertzog and Kerr) recorded a point. Matching the success on the offensive end was the Hounds defense. Leading the team to a shutout, Keasel Broome saved all five Tampa Bay shots that reached the goal.

Aug. 12: at Harrisburg City Islanders

From the opening whistle to the final minute, the Hounds put forth a dominating performance against the rival City Islanders. Parkes and Walsh powered the offense to three goals (Walsh collecting two tallies) while Trey Mitchell held down the goalmouth for 90 minutes en route to the shutout. With the 3-0 victory, Pittsburgh clinched the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Aug. 19: at Saint Louis FC

In a 2-1 road victory, Hertzog’s scoring prowess was on display. Trailing by a goal at halftime, the Hounds had an opportune scoring chance to start the second half. After being awarded a free kick from outside the 18-yard box, Hertzog shot the ball into the upper-left corner of the goal for the equalizer. The striker later posted the game-winning goal off a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.

Aug. 26: vs. Bethlehem Steel FC

The Hounds jumped out to an early lead against Steel FC. With goals from Jamal Jack and Hertzog in the match’s first 20 minutes, Pittsburgh appeared to have the game in hand. However, Bethlehem proceeded to rally to knot the score at 2-2. Minutes after the in-state rival posted the equalizer, Kerr scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal to cap off his four-point performance.

Stay tuned for the second installment of Inside The Box’s best-of 2017 series on Tuesday, as we take a look at the best goals of this season.

Fireworks launched the Riverhounds into the second half of the 2017 campaign.

Celebrating Independence Day after a Fourth of July match at Highmark Stadium, the team remained very well in the playoff hunt and earned a point in each of its four ensuing games to keep pace in the Eastern Conference.

At the height of the Hounds playoff run was an in-state clash against the rival Harrisburg City Islanders on Aug. 12. Pittsburgh came out victorious, clinching a needed three points as well as the Keystone Derby Cup.

The Black and Gold finished August with a 3-0-1 record, and it looked like the team could very well hold another celebration at Highmark Stadium when mid-October would roll around. But as the calendar flipped to September, the season wrote a different narrative.

Following a draw against FC Cincinnati at imposing Nippert Stadium on Labor Day weekend, the Hounds slowly slipped from postseason contention. Currently, Pittsburgh has lost three straight games – a rarity in a season that has seen the Hounds not lose back-to-back games until this current streak.

“I think training has been good,” head coach Dave Brandt said postgame after the club’s third straight loss. “There has been a good spirit in the group. It’s a group gets along together and all that. But I do think there’s something hanging in the air without a doubt. And I think we saw that today.”

Perhaps this lingering presence surrounding the team results from its playoffs elimination. But despite this feeling, the Hounds still aim to bounce back as the 2017 season comes to a close.

“I think it’s difficult,” Brandt said about finishing out the regular season while being eliminated from the postseason hunt. “They’re professionals and they need to. This is my job and I need to. We need to.”

The Hounds will complete their season this Saturday at Highmark Stadium against Ottawa Fury FC. This will be the second time the two teams will battle, as Pittsburgh won the first meeting north of the border this past May.

“We have one more game left,” forward Corey Hertzog said. “We can end this season on a ‘W.’ That’s all we need to look at there. It doesn’t matter about three points. It doesn’t matter about anything. We need to win this game.”

As Pittsburgh prepares for its season finale against Ottawa Fury FC, here is a look back at the best of this season’s second half.

Clinching the Cup – at Harrisburg on Aug. 12

The Hounds got the best of the rival City Islanders in 2017, winning the Keystone Derby Cup this past August. Pittsburgh dominated the cup-clinching game both offensively and defensively, recording a shutout in its 3-0 victory. Romeo Parkes started the scoring in the first half, and Chevaughn Walsh put the game away with two tallies in the second stanza.

O Captain, My Captain – vs. Bethlehem on Aug. 26

Taking the reigns of the Pittsburgh offense, Kevin Kerr steered the team to victory against Steel FC. Early in the game, the midfielder collected a couple of assists to help provide the Hounds with a 2-0 lead. But when Bethlehem rallied to knot it up at 2-2 in the 71st minute, Kerr once again added to the score sheet – this time with a goal of his own, knocking a loose ball on the goal line into the back of the net. The captain’s efforts and four points led the Hounds to a 3-2 win.

Hertzog passes Vincent – at Bethlehem on Sept. 24

Corey Hertzog has stuffed the score sheet this season, and the forward reached a career milestone in the team’s second trip to Bethlehem. In the process of recording his third multi-goal game, the Penn State product tied and passed former Hounds great Rob Vincent for third all-time in the statistic. Hertzog currently has 26 tallies in his Pittsburgh career and only trails David Flavius (56 career goals) and Thiago Martins (30 career goals).

Perrella’s spectacular performance – at New York on Sept. 30

Serving as a bright spot in a tough road loss, Matt Perrella had one of his best games for the Hounds against the high-powered New York offense. The goalkeeper tied a club single-game high six saves in the contest. Perhaps his best stop came late in the game, when he dove to his left to punch the ball up overtop of the crossbar.

Forwards: Corey Hertzog and Chevaughn Walsh

In the second half of the season, it was a rarity to see a Hounds goal without Corey Hertzog or Chevaughn Walsh not involved in on the scoring. The duo has scored 11 of Pittsburgh’s 17 goals and combined for 25 points since the start of July. On three of these goals, the duo accounted for both the tally and the assist. With these second half numbers, both forwards rank first (Hertzog with 28) and second (Walsh with 12) on the team in points for the year.

Midfielders: Kevin Kerr, Romeo Parkes, Victor Souto and Stephen Okai

Kevin Kerr set the tone for the Hounds throughout the season and was strong in the second half, recording six of his 11 points from July onward. The captain logged 1,373 of a possible 1,440 minutes in this timeframe heading into the season finale. On the opposite wing of Kerr, Romeo Parkes has provided the Hounds with another consistent scoring threat, and he has one goal and three assists in the second half. Victor Souto and Stephen Okai have solidified the center of the midfield. Souto leads Pittsburgh with 64 tackles this season, and Okai scored his first goal (assisted by Souto) of the 2017 campaign in its second half.

Defenders: Taylor Washington, Jamal Jack, Tobi Adewole and Ritchie Duffie

Mainstays on the Hounds backline since the season opener, Taylor Washington and Jamal Jack have pieced together a successful second half. On the season, both players lead the team in a key defensive statistic as Washington paces Pittsburgh with 96 interceptions and Jack heads the club with 153 clearances. Tobi Adewole, Jack’s center back partner, has had an impactful rookie campaign. All 15 of the George Washington product’s caps have come since the start of July and he has averaged 6.67 clearances per game. Like Adewole, Ritchie Duffie has seen an uptick in playing time in the second half. In five appearances, Duffie has totaled six tackles and 17 clearances in this timeframe.

Goalkeeper: Matt Perrella

Starting and winning his Hounds debut against Bethlehem Steel FC on Aug. 26, Matt Perrella has held down the goalmouth in the second half after goalkeepers Trey Mitchell and Keasel Broome underwent season-ending surgeries. Perrella has made a total of 17 saves on the season, including tying a club-best six saves in a single game on Sept. 30 against New York.

As the 2017 campaign comes to an end this Saturday, the process of looking back at the season that was has begun for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Though the Hounds will miss the playoffs, there were many exciting storylines this year, perhaps none more compelling than the success of forward Corey Hertzog.

During his first season in Pittsburgh in 2016, Hertzog led the team with 13 goals in 30 matches. This year, Hertzog has matched that total through 31 matches and most recently moved up to third place on the club’s all-time goals list after he scored twice on Sept. 24 at Bethlehem Steel FC.

Right from the season-opener, it was evident that Hertzog was on his way to a special season. He scored two goals against the reigning-USL champion New York Red Bulls II in a 3-3 tie, marking the first of three times that Hertzog would tally a brace in a single match.

His scoring prowess was reflective of the team’s success overall, as the Hounds were 5-2-3 when he scored. Hertzog’s seven right-footed tallies have produced the majority of his goals, but he’s also found the back of the net with four headers and two left-footed scores – pacing Pittsburgh or tying for the team lead in all three categories.

Two of those right-footed goals have come on penalty kicks, where Hertzog is two-of-three this season compared to no attempts in 2016. 

Finding Consistency

At the end of July, Hertzog led the Hounds with seven goals through 21 games.

Nonetheless, he felt he wasn’t scoring regularly enough.

Hertzog said a two-goal match in a 2-1 victory over Saint Louis FC in mid-August was a turning point, most notably a free kick in the 47th minute to knot the score at one. Taking the kick from about 30 yards out, the forward struck the ball into the upper-left corner of the net.

“The middle of the season, I wasn’t scoring goals and the confidence went down a little bit,” Hertzog said. “I would say that the free kick against Saint Louis really picked up the confidence a lot.”

Including his brace, Hertzog scored six goals in 10 matches since the start of August. He has accounted for just more than 46 percent of the team’s total goals scored.

Settling in Pittsburgh

Hertzog’s success in Pittsburgh is personally meaningful to the striker. Since being drafted No. 13 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls, he played with six different professional teams, including New York, across three different professional leagues prior to joining the Black and Gold.

Hertzog said it’s never fun changing teams that often, but joked that the traveling has been a plus. However, as he gets older, the forward hopes to find more stability.

“Now that I have a family and all that, I just want to get something concrete,” Hertzog said. “It’s part of the game, we chose that when we signed up for this. You’ve got to get used to it and move on.”

Being back in Pennsylvania has been enjoyable for Hertzog for a couple of reasons. For one, he is a Reading, Pennsylvania native and said his family has made the four-hour drive for every home match.

“Playing in Tampa and Vancouver and all that, you don’t get to see [your family] very often,” Hertzog said. “So, it’s nice being around and seeing family.”

The in-state ties extend collegiately as well, as Hertzog made his mark at Penn State from 2008-10. He led the NCAA with 20 goals, 46 points and 2.09 points per game during his junior year and went on to forego his senior campaign to turn pro.

Team-first Attitude

That success in college was just a precursor to Hertzog’s professional success once he found his footing with the Hounds.

Hertzog is third in the USL Eastern Conference with 13 tallies in 2017, but he hasn’t just been a goal-scorer in his time with the Hounds. Last season, Hertzog’s four assists led the team and he’s added two more this year. Additionally, Hertzog is second on Pittsburgh with 51 chances created in 2017, which also ranks No. 12 in the East.   

During the current era of the USL, Hertzog has scored the most goals in a two-year period by any Hounds player. During the time he has suited up in a Black and Gold kit, Hertzog has left his mark in Pittsburgh with his scoring touch and his team-first mentality.

“Scoring goals is always good,” Hertzog said, “but you just want to win games.”

Despite the increased acclaim, Hertzog is most focused on team success rather than personal accolades. Hertzog said climbing the record books is enjoyable, but his personal success is not the ultimate goal. And this humility is a testament to Hertzog’s competitiveness and his desire to keep getting better.

“Yeah, I mean it’s for anybody to score a lot of goals, but the last two years, we haven’t made the playoffs,” Hertzog said. “If I could give up 10 goals and we would make the playoffs, I’d do it.”