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Ydrach named to Team of the Week

Pittsburgh Riverhounds defender Beto Ydrach was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 4 after his performance in the team's 2-0 win over Birmingham Legion FC on March 29, 2025, at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — Hounds defender Beto Ydrach was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 4 after his performance in the team’s 2-0 win over Birmingham last Saturday. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)

PITTSBURGH (April 1, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Beto Ydrach was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 4, the league announced this afternoon.

Ydrach assisted the Hounds’ second goal in their 2-0 win Saturday night over Birmingham Legion FC, slipping a well-weighted pass through the middle for Danny Griffin to apply a sliding finish. Spending most of the match at center back before moving to a holding midfield role, Ydrach also won all five of his aerial duels, claimed possession a team-high nine times and led the Hounds with nine clearances.

It is the first time in the weekly best 11 for Ydrach, a first-year pro who has started all four matches this season for the Hounds. It comes on the heels of a busy week in which he also suited up for the Puerto Rico National Team last Tuesday to make his 13th international appearance in a midweek friendly in the Dominican Republic.

Hounds midfielder Robbie Mertz also appeared in the weekly honors for the first time in 2025 by taking a bench spot after scoring the opening goal in the win over Birmingham. The Pittsburgh native also led the team with eight crosses and two chances created, and he won possession seven times, trailing only Ydrach for the Hounds.

The Hounds are off this weekend before returning to action with a visit to their longest-running rival, the Charleston Battery, in a 7:30 p.m. match Saturday, April 12. That game can be seen on KDKA+ and CBS Sports Golazo.

Hounds blank Birmingham for 2nd straight win

Robbie Mertz celebrates scoring the opening goal in the Riverhounds' 2-0 win over Birmingham Legion FC on March 29, 2025 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC) — *Robbie Mertz celebrates scoring the opening goal in the Riverhounds’ 2-0 win over Birmingham Legion FC at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (March 29, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds made it two wins in two home matches with a goal on each side of halftime, defeating the Birmingham Legion, 2-0, tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Robbie Mertz and Danny Griffin scored for the Hounds (2-1-1), goalkeeper Eric Dick made a pair of saves for his second straight shutout, and the Hounds remained unbeaten in six matches at home against the Legion (0-2-2).

The win was the 100th Hounds win at Highmark Stadium, which opened in 2013. The team holds a 100-49-55 record at their South Shore home.

First half

As with the team’s previous three matches, the Hounds came out controlling the ball, holding 60.6 percent of possession in the first 45.

From the first corner of the match, defender Luke Biasi nearly got his first goal with a flicked header that missed just wide across the face of goal. Mertz created a chance with his work rate shortly afterward, winning the ball along the goal line and creating a shooting angle that forced a save by Birmingham’s Matt Van Oekel.

In the 25th minute, Mertz set up Jackson Walti with a delicate pass to a wide area of the box, and Walti struck a shot that cracked the underside of the crossbar but stayed out of the goal.

Mertz got the Hounds on the board by following the play after Bradley Sample’s shot from 18 yards was blocked. The rebound came to Mertz on the left side, and he hit a composed shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Second half

The Hounds continued to look for a second goal, but sat in a more defensive posture, allowing the Legion to have a nearly identical possession edge with 60.8 percent of the ball.

Augi Williams had the ball in the net in the 67th minute after being played through between defenders, but the offside flag was raised to negate the goal.

The flag stayed down three minutes later, however, as Beto Ydrach slipped a rolling pass between the Legion center backs. Griffin ran on to the ball and slid to put it into the net past an onrushing Van Oekel, giving the Hounds’ captain his second goal in as many games.

Dick made his only two saves of the match in the final 15 minutes, and Hounds Academy player Pablo Linzoain, a Fox Chapel High School student, entered the match as a late substitute for the 18-year-old’s third career match as an amateur player at the pro level.

Modelo Man of the Match

Robbie Mertz netted the game’s opening goal by pouncing on a rebound, the most notable of many times he was in the right place. He had a team highs of eight total crosses, five touches in the Legion box and two chances created, and he rounded out the performance by winning the ball seven times, two off the team lead.

What’s next?

The Hounds have a week off before heading to the Lowcountry to face the Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 12. The team will also find out its opponent in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup next week after Second Round games conclude Wednesday.

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Eric Dick; Junior Etou (Max Broughton 74’), Sean Suber, Beto Ydrach, Luke Biasi; Jackson Walti, Bradley Sample (Illal Osumanu 64’); Robbie Mertz (Pablo Linzoain 89’), Danny Griffin, Aidan O’Toole (Jason Bouregy 64’); Augi Williams (Brigham Larsen 89’)

Birmingham Legion FC lineup (4-1-4-1) — Matt Van Oekel; Moses Mensah (Tyler Pasher 82’), Ethan Kos (Ramiz Hamouda 46’), Jake Rufe, Santiago Suarez; Enzo Martinez; Tabort Etaka Preston (Danny Trejo 74’), Roman Torres, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Dawson McCartney; Ronaldo Damus

Scoring summary

PIT — Robbie Mertz 36’
PIT — Danny Griffin 70’ (Beto Ydrach)

Discipline summary

PIT — Aidan O’Toole 15’ (caution – reckless foul)
BHM — Ronaldo Damus 72’ (caution – reckless foul)

Game Day: Hounds vs. Birmingham Legion FC

Pittsburgh Riverhounds players form a huddle prior to their 1-0 win over Hartford Athletic on March 22, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Pittsburgh Riverhounds players form a huddle prior to their 1-0 win over Hartford Athletic last Saturday at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

Match info

Riverhounds (1-1-1) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (0-1-2)
Date: Saturday, March 29
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds -150 / Draw +260 / Birmingham +370 at FanDuel
TV: KDKA+
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: SiriusXM FC, Channel 157 (national), Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvBHM and #Grittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (March 29, 2025) — The Hounds will be out to make it two wins from two home matches in 2025 when they host Birmingham Legion FC this Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

Fresh off a 1-0 win over Hartford, the Hounds home to keep their momentum against a team that has never beaten them in Pittsburgh in five attempts, but nothing will be easy against a team that already has drawn against Louisville and Detroit, putting the only blemish on the records of both the early Eastern Conference leaders.

The Hounds are getting healthier after the return of Bradley Sample in a substitute appearance last week, adding more depth to the center of the park. His return and the versatility of Beto Ydrach, who played as a holding midfielder last week, allow Hounds captain Danny Griffin to play in a higher position on the field, and that paid off when Griffin accounted for the game-winning goal with his 75th-minute header against Hartford.

Junior Etou, who assisted Griffin’s goal, and Luke Biasi both earned bench spots on the league’s Team of the Week this week, as the left and right backs in the back four deployed by the team contributed to the first clean sheet of the season for the Hounds and goalkeeper Eric Dick.

Birmingham, for its part, hasn’t had trouble scoring goals with four on the young season, including a pair by Ronaldo Damus. Along with their captain, longtime playmaker Enzo Martinez, the Legion have the ability to hurt opposing defenses, and the Hounds will want to clean up some of the uncertain moments that they were able to escape from against Hartford.

On the back end, the Legion has given up six goals, more than any Eastern Conference team except Miami, and the Hounds will want to continue that trend. That would give plenty for the Highmark Stadium crowd to celebrate on what is expected to be a day with perfect weather, with temperatures in 70s predicted the Saturday forecast.

From a historic perspective, a win would be the 100th Riverhounds win at Highmark Stadium, the team’s home since 2013. In 203 matches to date, the club has a 99-49-55 record on their current home turf.

Off the field, fans at the stadium will have a chance to meet the first celebrity guest of the team’s Spotlight Series for 2025, as former Dance Moms star Melissa Gisoni — the mother of Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler — will be the team’s special guest with a VIP meet & greet before the match and taking part in pregame ceremonies.

Saturday’s game broadcast will be the first of the year on KDKA+, and streaming will be available in-market through the KDKA website and nationally on ESPN+. The match is also the national radio broadcast on SiriusXM FC, Channel 157, and all Hounds home matches have a Spanish-language broadcast on Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2.

Tickets for the match are available through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes vs. Birmingham, 3/29/25 Download

Griffin heads Hounds to home opening win

Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin scored the game winning goal in the team's home opener against Hartford Athletic on March 22, 2025 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin scored the game winning goal in the team’s home opener against Hartford Athletic on March 22 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (March 22, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin made it a memorable home opener for the team when his late, headed goal gave the Hounds a 1-0 win over Hartford Athletic tonight at Highmark Stadium.

The goal came on a special night for the Hounds organization, as Kenardo Forbes, the club’s all-time leader in appearances and assists and a holder of multiple USL Championship records, was honored before the match after retiring as a player earlier this month.

The win is the third time the Hounds have won their home opener in the past seven seasons, with all three of those wins coming against Hartford.

First half

Hartford had one of their best chances of the match in the opening minute, as Mamadou Dieng pounced on a turnover and drove toward goal, but his shot from the top of the box sailed high.

The Hounds had a good early chance, as well, and it was a signal of things to come. Junior Etou broke down the left flank to cross to the penalty spot, where Griffin rose to head the ball cleanly but wide.

Late in the half, the Hounds nearly broke through on the counter after Eric Dick blocked away a low cross by Michee Ngalina. The Hounds went quickly the other direction, and Beto Ydrach rose for a headed shot that forced a leaping save by Hartford goalie Antony Siaha.

Second half

The Hounds continued to have more of the ball after the break, rolling up 62 percent of the ball for the match. Etou continued to test down the left side, working to the goal line for much of the match but cutting inside in the 67th minute to fire a right-footed shot saved by Siaha.

The goal finally came in the 75th minute after the Hounds worked the ball from the right side back across to the left and Etou. He curled a cross toward the goal, and Griffin got free on a central run and headed the ball into the left side of the net for his first of the season.

Danny's got hops! ⬆️ Your @PALottery Play of the Game from last night goes to Danny's game-winning goal! 💥
#PITvHFD #Grittsburgh pic.twitter.com/BEsmIj6GSR
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 23, 2025

As the game rolled into stoppage time, the Hounds had to defend well in their box, including a late free kick where Hartford even threw Siaha forward. But the Hounds finished the job, limiting Hartford to one shot on goal for goalkeeper Dick’s first clean sheet of the season.

Modelo Man of the Match

Danny Griffin’s game winner made him the obvious choice, but the captain was involved in other ways, connecting on 21 of 26 passes, contesting a team-high 15 duels for the ball — winning six — and finishing second on the team by recovering possession four times.

What’s next?

The Hounds will try to keep the mojo going at home when they host Birmingham Legion FC at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at Highmark Stadium. Birmingham (0-1-2) was on the road this week, as well, battling out a 2-2 draw at Detroit City FC.

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Eric Dick; Junior Etou (Max Broughton 85’), Sean Suber, Illal Osumanu, Luke Biasi; Jackson Walti, Beto Ydrach; Robbie Mertz (Bradley Sample 85’), Danny Griffin, Aidan O’Toole (Jason Bouregy 62’); Augi Williams (Brigham Larsen 89’)

Hartford Athletic (4-2-3-1) — Antony Siaha; Thomas Presthus, Jordan Scarlett, Joe Farrell, Sebastian Anderson; Marlon Hairston, Beverly Makangila; Michee Ngalina, Jonathan Jiménez (Junior Moreira 78’), Deshane Beckford (Adewale Obalola 78’); Mamadou Dieng

Scoring summary

PIT — Danny Griffin 75’ (Junior Etou)

Discipline summary

PIT — Illal Osumanu 31’ (caution – tactical foul)

Game Day: Hounds vs. Hartford Athletic

Kenardo Forbes leaves the field during the Riverhounds' 5-0 win over Oakland Roots SC on July 13, 2024 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — Kenardo Forbes, the Hounds’ recently retired leader in assists, appearances and other categories, will be honored during a pre-match ceremony before the 2025 home opener against Hartford Athletic. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)

Match Info

Riverhounds (0-1-1) vs. Hartford Athletic (0-1-0)
Date: Saturday, March 22
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds -145 / Draw +250 / Hartford +370 at FanDuel
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh (local); TUDN (national, Spanish)
Streaming: CBS Sports Golazo Network
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvHFD and #Grittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (March 20, 2025) — The Hounds are home at last, and the 2025 home opener will see a familiar opponent come to Highmark Stadium on Saturday night in Hartford Athletic.

While the game remains the night’s main event, the pregame ceremony will be a special moment when Kenardo Forbes, the Hounds’ most decorated player and the holder of multiple club and USL Championship records, is honored for his recently announced retirement. Fans are encouraged to be at their seats by 6:50 to celebrate the career of the team’s longtime captain.

Hartford has been the Hounds’ most frequent opponent since joining the USL Championship, and though the Hounds hold an 11-2-2 advantage in 15 meetings, the visitors boast one of their strongest rosters during that time with veteran defenders Jordan Scarlett and former Hounds center back Joe Farrell on the back line, and dangerous forwards in Michee Ngalina and Mamadou Dieng leading the way.

Hartford dropped its season opener at league newcomers Lexington SC, but then they picked up a first win on the season Tuesday by dispatching the amateur New York Shockers, 3-0, in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup. Both Dieng and Ngalina found the net in the win, and with both having scored against the Hounds last season, the Hounds’ defense knows they will need to keep an eye on that pair.

On the Hounds’ side, coach Bob Lilley has pressed his team to make last week’s 2-0 defeat at San Antonio an outlier, pointing to the better performance in the season opener at North Carolina as a better example. But in both cases, he wants to see the team be more efficient with passes in the final third of the field, as even the superior possession in the opener only yielded a single Augi Williams goal and a handful of other chances.

The team is slowly getting healthier, and the added depth should help the attacking group. Bradley Sample returned to full training this week, while Perrin Barnes was back on the field in a limited capacity.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the week will be the return to Highmark Stadium and the support of a Pittsburgh crowd for the team’s 13th home opener in their South Shore home. The Hounds are 9-9-6 all-time in 25 previous home openers, but just 3-6-3 in home openers at Highmark Stadium. Those last two wins, however? Both came against Hartford in the home openers of 2019 and 2022.

Fans at the stadium will be able to enjoy a post-match fireworks show, the first of four in the team’s Fireworks Frenzy series this season. In the stadium, the opening month’s food specials take on a St. Patrick’s Day theme, with the train grill on the East End offering Guinness burger — topped with cheddar cheese, bacon and Guinness caramalized onions — and special “Irish nachos” (aka loaded potato skins).

Tickets for the match are still available through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Fans catching the game from home will have no shortage of places to follow the action. SportsNet Pittsburgh will air the match live locally, and CBS Sports Golazo Network will carry the free stream online.

There are also major boosts for the Spanish-speaking audience, as for the first time, the Hounds will have a Spanish-language national broadcast with the match being carried on TUDN. And all season long, as part of the club’s new partnership with Las Palmas Pittsburgh, home matches will be broadcast live in Spanish on Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes vs. Hartford, 3/22/25 Download

Etou, Osumanu balance fitness & faith during Ramadan

Riverhounds defender Illal Osumanu dribbles the ball in the team's 1-1 draw at North Carolina FC on May 8, 2025 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC) — Illal Osumanu is one of the Hounds’ players currently observing the month of Ramadan, making sure he remains match fit while maintaining his obligation to fast during the day. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC)

Professional athletes put strenuous demands on their bodies year round to compete at the highest level. But this month, Junior Etou and Illal Osumanu are taking extra care to stay fit while, at the same time, practicing their faith.

This March largely coincides with the month of Ramadan on the Islamic Calendar, a time for reflection, self-discipline and devotion for people of the Muslim faith around the world. Ramadan is considered a month for charitable acts and increased time devoted to worship, and a major part of the month’s observance is fasting from dawn to sunset, an obligation Etou and Osumanu adhere to while playing for the Hounds.

Fasting requires no eating or drinking of anything during the daylight hours, which means preparation is key for those players ahead of the team’s daily practices.

“You wake up early in the morning, and you need to get the best foods and eat something more, because you know you have training at 10 a.m.,” Etou said. “But for me, I feel like it’s not hard right now with water, because there’s not as much sunshine, and it’s not as hot. You just have to prepare and get more rest for games and training.”

“You wake up at 4:30 or 5 to eat and just try to get a lot of fluids and electrolytes in,” Osumanu said. “It’s not bad because we train at 10, so it’s only about five hours from the time you start your fast. It’s much more difficult when training is later in the day because that’s a long time between then and the last time you had food.”

While the Hounds’ training schedule is favorable for the players observing Ramadan, the match schedule is not quite as forgiving.

One step the USL Championship took, beginning last season, was the introduction of a short break during matches when sundown occurs, allowing observant players and officials the chance to break their fast. That occurred in last week’s match at San Antonio — a match that started at 7:30 Central Time — at the official sunset time in San Antonio of 7:47.

“That’s definitely helpful for me. Even if it’s 30 minutes into the game and they stop, I feel like it’s good for me to get a quick drink,” Osumanu said.

But after a complete day of fasting, the players still have to be mindful not to overdo it when given the chance to eat during a match, usually opting for fresh fruit or something light.

“You just get some quick snack, because you don’t want to eat too much and then your stomach is too full,” Etou said. “For me, it’s better to get food after the game. I just have a snack bar or a banana, and it’s good.”

Etou and Osumanu have appeared in both matches for the Hounds this season, and they have done well to prevent the fasting from affecting their performance during Ramadan, which continues this year through March 29.

But the sacrifice required to uphold their obligation to fast is a small thing, in their minds, as they reflect on the meaning behind the fasting.

“It’s one of the pillars of being a Muslim, so observing that is one of the most important things you have to do. It’s one month out of the year when you can get closer to your faith and what you believe in,” Osumanu said. “It’s a good time of reflection and to be appreciative of life and just get closer to the things that matter.”

“You have so many people in the world who don’t have food, anything, all year. For me to not eat in the day for one month is nothing,” Etou said. “It’s important to keep doing this every year and to stay focused, mentally and physically.”

Riverhounds midfielder Junior Etou receives a pass in the team's 1-1 draw at North Carolina FC on May 8, 2025 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC) — Junior Etou expressed that fasting during Ramadan serves as a reminder that there are those less fortunate in the world, and that the month provides an important chance to focus on faith. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC)

USL to adopt promotion and relegation system across leagues

TAMPA, Fla. (March 19, 2025) — The United Soccer League (USL) announced today that a supermajority of club owners voted to implement a promotion and relegation system, marking a groundbreaking decision that will reshape the future of professional soccer in the United States.

The USL becomes the first professional sports league in the U.S. to adopt this global model, creating an interconnected three-tiered men’s professional soccer system, where teams earn promotion to a higher division or face relegation to a lower division based on their performance during the season. With this historic step, the USL aligns with the world’s top leagues—including the English Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga—where promotion and relegation raises the stakes of every match, drives fan engagement, and elevates the overall competition of the game.

“A new chapter in American soccer begins. The decision by our owners to approve and move forward with this bold direction is a testament to their commitment to the long-term growth of soccer in the United States,” said Alec Papadakis, CEO of the United Soccer League. “This is a significant milestone for the USL and highlights our shared vision with our team ownership to build a league that not only provides top-tier competition but also champions community engagement. Now, just as it is in the global game, more communities in America can aspire to compete at the highest level of soccer. It’s time.”

Last month, the USL announced plans to launch a new Division One league in 2027-28, a pivotal step in its vision to establish a fully integrated three-tier professional system. As defined by U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioning standards, Division One is the highest level of professional soccer in the United States. With the USL Championship (Division Two) and USL League One (Division Three) already providing a strong foundation for player development and competition, the addition of a Division One league completes the structure. All three leagues will be interconnected through a structured promotion and relegation system, where more matches matter, rewarding performance and unlocking new opportunities for clubs, players, and fans.

“Promotion and relegation transforms the competitive landscape of American soccer,” said Paul McDonough, President and Chief Soccer Officer of the USL. “With the 2026 World Cup and other major international events approaching, we have a unique opportunity to build on that momentum and create a sustainable future for the sport in the U.S. Fans and stakeholders have been clear—they want something different. They’re drawn to the intensity of high-stakes competition, where more matches have real consequences—just like we see in European leagues. This shift challenges the status quo and brings a level of excitement and relevance that can elevate the game across the country.”

More details about the implementation and structure of promotion and relegation will be shared in the coming months. For updates, please visit uslsoccer.com.

About United Soccer League

Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes four men’s leagues: the newly announced, top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.

With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country.

Ydrach receives Puerto Rico call-up

*Riverhounds defender Beto Ydrach has been called up to the Puerto Rico National Team during the March 2025 international window. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (March 18, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Beto Ydrach has been called into the Puerto Rico National Team for the upcoming international window.

Ydrach, 23, will remain with the Hounds through Saturday night’s home opener against Hartford Athletic before joining Puerto Rico for their Tuesday friendly against the Dominican Republic to be played in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

A first-year pro who signed last month with the Hounds, Ydrach received multiple call-ups to the Puerto Rican team during his college career at Central Florida and Akron. He has appeared in 12 matches total for El Huracán Azul, including qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup. Ydrach scored his first international goal in his last appearance for Puerto Rico, a win over Anguilla in World Cup qualifying on June 12, 2024.

Ydrach has started both matches this season for the Hounds, earning Modelo Man of the Match honors last Saturday in the team’s match at San Antonio FC.

This marks the fifth consecutive season — each year since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign — that the Hounds have had at least one player called up for international duty during the season.

Hounds come up empty in San Antonio

Illal Osumanu shields San Antonio FC's Jake LaCava off the ball in the Riverhounds' 2-0 loss on March 15, 2025, at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo: Darren Abate/USL Championship) — *Illal Osumanu shields San Antonio FC’s Jake LaCava off the ball in the Riverhounds’ 2-0 loss at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo: Darren Abate/USL Championship)*

(March 15, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds were dealt their first setback of the young season after a pair of second-half goals sent San Antonio FC to a 2-0 win tonight at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.

Jorge Hernandez and Luke Haakenson found the net for San Antonio on a night where a steady breeze impacted play for both sides.

The Hounds picked up an edge in possession with 52 percent after having to chase for a tying goal, but the team mustered only six total shots and just one of those was on target.

First half

Neither team created much in the first half hour, with the Hounds’ best chance coming on a free kick. The team tried a training ground move to tee up a shot for Sean Suber, but the mechanics were a little too slow, allowing the San Antonio defense to block the attempt.

San Antonio then nearly got the opening goal in the 27th minute when a cross held up in the air to find Juan Agudelo at the back post. He settled the ball and fired from 9 yards out, but Eric Dick had the angle properly covered and parried the ball wide for a corner kick.

Agudelo’s shot was the only one on target for either team in the first half, as physical play ruled the day in a match with 37 total fouls called.

Second half

The Hounds came out on the front foot after the break. Beto Ydrach got a look at goal from the top of the box that took a deflection straight to the feet of Augi Williams, but the offside flag negated a second-chance opportunity.

Somewhat against the run of play, San Antonio took the lead in the 54th minute when Jimmy Medranda clipped a long ball behind the Hounds defense for a perfectly timed run by Hernandez. Dick came off his line but was second to the ball, allowing Hernadez to touch around him and finish into the open net.

The Hounds pressed for a tying goal, and Jason Bouregy forced San Antonio goalkeeper Richard Sanchez to make a diving save to deny his dipping shot from the right side of the penalty area.

The chances dried up as the half rolled on, and in the 88th minute, San Antonio added an insurance goal when Alex Greive found room to dribble between Hounds into the box, setting up Haakenson for the close-range finish.

Modelo Man of the Match

Beto Ydrach was a strong two-way performer on the night, connecting on 44 of 55 passes (80 percent), including 16 of 20 in the attacking third. He also won all six of his aerial duels, 9 of 12 duels overall and had a team-leading seven clearances.

What’s next?

The Hounds get to kick off their home schedule next week when they host Hartford Athletic (0-1-0) at 7 p.m. next Saturday, March 22 at Highmark Stadium. Hartford did not play today but has a U.S. Open Cup First Round match before then, hosting the amateur New York Shockers on Tuesday night.

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Eric Dick; Luke Biasi, Sean Suber, Beto Ydrach, Illal Osumanu; Jackson Walti, Danny Griffin; Junior Etou, Robbie Mertz, Jason Bouregy; Augi Williams

San Antonio FC lineup (4-3-3) — Richard Sánchez; Jimmy Medranda, Mitchell Taintor, Alex Crognale, Rece Buckmaster; Almir Soto, Jorge Hernandez, Nicky Hernandez; Jake LaCava, Juan Agudelo, Diogo Pacheco

Scoring summary

SA — Jorge Hernandez 54’ (Jimmy Medranda)
SA — Luke Haakenson 88’ (Alex Greive)

Discipline summary

SA — Almir Soto 34’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Augi Williams 42’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Beto Ydrach 72’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Jorge Garcia 87’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Danny Griffin 90+7’ (caution – tactical foul)

Las Palmas, Hounds connect in exciting partnership

PITTSBURGH (March 14, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Las Palmas Pittsburgh are excited to announce a robust new partnership connecting the popular Hispanic supermarket with Pittsburgh’s professional soccer club beginning in the 2025 season.

Highlighting the new partnership, Las Palmas will be featured on the jersey sleeve of the Hounds’ kits — home, away and alternate — putting them in the spotlight throughout the USL Championship season. They also will feature prominently on match days at Highmark Stadium in other ways, including:

• Las Palmas tacos available in the Tailgate Zone every match day.
• A DJ from Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2, providing music and entertainment at select matches
• Tickets to Hounds matches on sale at Las Palmas locations
• Las Palmas will be the presenting sponsor of Hispanic Heritage Night, Sept. 27 vs. Las Vegas

In addition, Radio Las Palmas will enhance the partnership and bring the Hounds closer than ever to Pittsburgh’s Hispanic community with Spanish-language radio broadcasts of the team’s home matches, marking the first such deal with a Spanish outlet in the team’s history.

“We are very proud that Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Las Palmas are part of this mutually beneficial partnership,” Las Palmas owner Gabriel Berumen Cruz said. “On behalf of the Las Palmas team, we welcome this collaboration that will help the growth and development of soccer and unite our Latino and American communities into one team in our wonderful City of Pittsburgh. The Berumen family and the Las Palmas group are truly excited to begin working together with the Riverhounds organization.”

“We are excited to announce our new partnership with Las Palmas, recognizing the significant opportunities it presents for both Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and our community,” said Zack Kaminski, Riverhounds Director of Corporate Partnerships. “This partnership underscores our vision of enhancing the soccer experience in our region, leveraging our unique strengths to foster growth and engagement in the sport. Partnering with Las Palmas allows us to amplify our efforts and broaden our reach within the local soccer community, and specifically with the Hispanic community, in Pittsburgh.”

Las Palmas and the Riverhounds are eager to welcome fans to Highmark Stadium when the Hounds play their home opener on Saturday, March 22 at 7 p.m. against Hartford Athletic. Tickets are on sale through Riverhounds.com and at Las Palmas’ four area locations in Brookline, Beechview, Oakland and Washington, Pa.

About Las Palmas Pittsburgh

Las Palmas Pittsburgh is a Hispanic grocery store and supermarket located in the heart of Pittsburgh. For many years, Las Palmas Supermercado has been dedicated to serving the local Hispanic community by offering a diverse array of authentic Latin American products and fresh groceries. They provide a wide selection of fresh produce, pantry staples, meats and specialty items from countries across Latin America. Las Palmas is pleased to serve customers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at any of their four locations. In 2023, they launched Radio Las Palmas, playing music from Central America, South America and the Caribbean and providing Spanish-language news and sports over the 92.9 FM HD2 frequency, radiolaspalmaspgh.com and the Radio Las Palmas mobile app.

About Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club

Established in 1999, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is Pennsylvania’s oldest professional soccer team and one of the longest-operating pro soccer teams in the United States. The team plays its home games at Highmark Stadium, which opened in 2013 as a team-owned, soccer-specific stadium in Pittsburgh’s South Shore neighborhood. The team is an original member of the USL Championship, which began play in 2011 and has grown to become one of the largest second-division pro soccer leagues in the world.

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