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RDA Weekend Recap – April 30-May 2

A light weekend for RDA matches still had some big league encounters, none more so than a trip north for the ECNL Boys sides to face the Western New York Flash in Buffalo, N.Y.

The 2002/03 Boys left it until late, but they captured a thriller of a win over the Flash, 2-1. TJ Cherry and Sam Farner got the goals after the Hounds initially trailed, while Gabe Norris and Anthony Shin were hailed by the coaches for top performances in the comeback.

Another win was picked up by the 06 Boys, who claimed the only clean sheet of the weekend by stopping the Flash, 2-0. JJ Simms picked a big moment to get his first ECNL goal of the year to open the scoring, and Johnny Krug added the second to put the result firmly in the Hounds column.

Nearly completing a comeback of their own were the 05 Boys, whose rally came up short, 3-2. A slow start resulted in the Flash grabbing a 2-0 halftime lead and adding a third despite the Hounds coming out in control after the break. Patrick Lopresti and Oliver Daboo got the Hounds close, but a third goal wasn’t there on the day.

Outside of ECNL play, the 06 RDA II Boys battled to a tough 2-2 draw with FC Alliance (Ohio). James Jayomahan scored a rebound goal, and Drew Vescio smashed a potential goal of the year, a full volley at the back post from a set piece that smacked the bottom of the crossbar before going in.

For more from the RDA action each weekend, visit the Live Results page at www.riverhounds.com.

Riverhounds strike deal to air matches locally on 22 The Point

PITTSBURGH (May 5, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and WPNT-22, The Point, have reached a broadcasting agreement for the 2021 season, which once again will bring Hounds matches to the local airwaves across the Pittsburgh television market.

22 The Point will air 21 regular-season matches live during the season, beginning with the season opener Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The team’s next two matches, May 15 against Hartford Athletic and May 22 against Charlotte Independence in the home opener at Highmark Stadium, also are part of the package.

“We are pleased to team up once again with 22 The Point to ensure fans in the Pittsburgh area will be able to see the Hounds in what we expect to be an exciting USL season,” Riverhounds President Vic Gregovits said. “The Point has been a great partner to us with their coverage in the past, and we look forward to working with them to bring more Hounds content directly to our local fans.”

This will be the second consecutive season Hounds matches will be shown locally on 22 The Point, which aired 11 matches last year in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. In addition to game broadcasts, 22 The Point will be the home for other Hounds-related programming, including the return of the Hounds Player Profiles series that debuted last season.

The televised games are Saturdays and Sundays through the season, and they include highlights such as the team’s first-ever meetings with Western Conference foes Austin Bold FC (June 6) and San Antonio FC (Sept. 4).

The run-in to the playoffs will be fully shown on 22 The Point, as well, as all five of the Hounds’ matches in October will be shown, culminating with the season finale Oct. 30 vs. Hartford.

The Hounds also have a nationally televised match on ESPN Deportes, June 15 against Indy Eleven, and all Hounds matches can be viewed as part of the USL’s streaming agreement on ESPN+.

Meet the Division: Tampa Bay Rowdies

Our final Atlantic Division foe to preview is the first one we’ll see when the season kicks off Saturday, the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The Rowdies got off to a flying start to their season with a 3-0 victory over Charlotte Independence, and the reigning Eastern Conference champs might have as good a chance as anyone to claim that title in 2021. The team went 10-3-3 a season ago, and their +14 goal difference was third in the East behind only the Hounds and Louisville.

Since the installation of Neill Collins as head coach midway through the 2018 season, Tampa Bay has trended steadily upward, and the group he retains leads one to believe the club will battle to be at the top once again.

The backbone of the Rowdies remains mostly intact with defender Forrest Lasso, a Hounds nemesis previously in Charleston and Cincinnati, coming off a USL Championship Defender of the Year season. Goalkeeper Evan Louro also is coming off a career year, and team captain Sebastian Guenzatti returns off a 10-goal total in the shortened 2020 season.

A familiar face to Hounds fans, Steevan Dos Santos, was the team’s biggest offseason acquisition — literally and figuratively — but midfielder Laurence Wyke also will be a major addition to the side.

As the trendy pick to remain atop the East, the Rowdies will be a tough assignment for the Hounds to deal with in their season opener when the teams play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Hounds have yet to win at the Rowdies’ home, going 0-1-2 there, while the club also has yet to beat them under Bob Lilley in four meetings, drawing three of the four.

But as with all their division foes, the Hounds will get plenty of cracks at Tampa Bay, meeting again in the Sunshine State on June 19 before hosting them at Highmark Stadium on Aug. 18 and Oct. 10.

Meet the Division: New York Red Bulls II

Next up in our look at the Hounds’ Atlantic Division opponents for 2021 is a team very familiar to Hounds fans but with very few familiar faces, New York Red Bulls II.

The Baby Bulls actually rank second behind Charleston for the most matches played against the Hounds by an Atlantic Division opponent with 14 meetings since New York joined USL in 2015. The Hounds are 6-7-1 in those matches, but are 5-2-0 in the past three seasons under Bob Lilley.

Despite massive roster turnover, the one unchanged thing is head coach John Wolyniec, who has been in charge of Red Bulls II since its inception. He again will be tasked with the development of the young players provided to him while also fielding a competitive side — something the 2016 USL Cup winners have a history of doing, despite missing the postseason for the first time a year ago with a 5-11-0 record.

The cast of returning players is small, but forward Omar Sowe, who led the team with seven goals in 2020, is one of the three returning starters. Forward Jake LaCava and midfielder Kyle Zajec also are back, while the team added forward Jeremy Rafanello, most recently of Indy Eleven. LaCava scored in their season opener, a 3-2 loss to Hartford Athletic, while Sowe and Rafanello both started.

The youth movement is alive and well in New York, as 15-year-old defender Curtis Ofori became the club’s youngest signing ever to a professional deal. Ofori trained with the team a year ago and was an unused substitute in NY’s season opener, so his debut seems imminent.

After playing last season back at Red Bull Arena due to the pandemic, Red Bulls II has returned this year to to the MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. as their home field. The Hounds will make their first trip to the Garden State on Friday, May 28, and the teams will take turns playing host, as they meet in Pittsburgh on June 25, in New Jersey on July 23 and to close the season series at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 1.

Big second half sends Hounds past Union II in preseason finale, 4-2

PITTSBURGH (May 1, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC brought its preseason to a high-scoring end, as the team rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Philadelphia Union II, 4-2, at Highmark Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Dixon scored twice, while Tommy Williamson and Albert Dikwa also found the net for the Hounds, who finish the exhibition schedule with a 3-1-2 record. Jack Jasinski and a non-rostered trialist scored the two first-half goals for Philadelphia.

With preseason completed, the Hounds will have a recovery tomorrow and return to training Monday in preparation for their 2021 USL Championship opener, which will be on the road at the reigning Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Rowdies. That match at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., is a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, May 8.

First half

The Hounds began the match looking for goals, having scored just once in their past two preseason matches.

Jordan Dover had the first good look at goal in the 10th minute, after receiving a back-heeled pass from Williamson just inside the penalty area. Williamson seemed to want the ball returned to him in space, but Dover elected to shoot and missed to the right of goal.

Union II started the scoring in the 23rd minute, after the Hounds failed to track back on a second ball into the box after clearing an initial corner kick. Mani Diop sent the ball back toward the goal from the left flank, and the pass fell to the feet of a non-rostered player, who finished from close range.

Jack Jasinski doubled the Philadelphia lead in the 41st minute when the Hounds again struggled to deal with a cross from the left side, this one sent in by Anton Sorenson.

Dixon nearly scored with the final kick of the first half, but his shot from close range didn’t have enough power, and former Hounds goalkeeper Anthony Mwembia dove and scrambled to keep the ball out of the corner of the net.

Second half

Dixon got his first goal of the preseason just three minutes into the second half after Anthony Velarde sent a high, diagonal pass from midfield behind the Union defense. The new Hounds striker got a little touch on the bouncing ball as goalkeeper Mwembia charged off his line. Dixon flicked the ball over the goalkeeper to get around him and passed the ball into the unguarded net.

Williamson tied the match in the 57th minute with an excellent free kick that found the top right corner of the net from 20 yards away. It was Williamson’s first preseason goal since joining the Hounds on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS, and it was set up by an overlapping run by Dover, who was fouled as he cut toward the middle from the right side.

Dixon’s second goal put the Hounds ahead in the 65th minute, as he calmly finished with an open shot from the top of the box after being picked out with a long, low pass from Louis Perez in the left corner.

Dikwa, who came on as a late substitute, ends as the top scorer in preseason for the Hounds after netting his third goal in stoppage time. The striker received the ball about 40 yards from goal, and seeing the goalkeeper well off his goal line, ripped a long, looping shot that found the net.

All 22 Hounds players in uniform were used during the final preseason match, as head coach Bob Lilley will have one week to decide who will be the 18 to travel to Tampa Bay.

Riverhounds SC lineup — Danny Vitiello (Jake Leeker 45’, Chris Morrish 80’); Preston Kilwien (Dani Rovira 63’), Shane Wiedt (Jelani Peters 45’), Mekeil Williams (*Jalen Robinson 63’), Jordan Dover (Ezra Armstrong 75’); Kenardo Forbes (Todd Wharton 61’), Danny Griffin; Anthony Velarde (Louis Perez 61’), Russell Cicerone (Albert Dikwa 75’), Alex Dixon (Wyatt Borso 75’); Tommy Williamson (Josh Gatt 57’)

* — denotes trialist not under contract

Philadelphia Union II starting lineup — Anthony Mwembia; Anton Sorenson, Brandon Craig, Mani Diop, Nathan Harriel; Dante Huckaby, Jack Jasinski, Anthony Ramirez, Paxton Aaronson; non-roster trialist, Shanyder Boreglin

(Substitution info not available)

Scoring summary

PHI — non-roster trialist 23’ (Mani Diop)

PHI — Jack Jasinski 41’ (Anton Sorenson)

PIT — Alex Dixon 48’ (Anthony Velarde)

PIT — Tommy Williamson 57’

PIT — Alex Dixon 65’ (Louis Perez)

PIT — Albert Dikwa 90’+1

Discipline summary

PIT — caution, Anthony Velarde 36’ (dissent)

PIT — caution, Russell Cicerone 36’ (dissent)

PIT — caution, Louis Perez 88’ (unsporting behavior)

Meet the Division: Miami FC

Nearly 1,200 miles separates us from the only Atlantic Division opponent that the Hounds have yet to face, Miami FC.

In its inaugural season in the USL Championship, the Miami FC finished third in Group H with a 4-8-4 record. The club posted a 3-3-2 record at home, including wins over Charlotte Independence and Charleston Battery. Romario Williams led the team with eight goals, tied for the seventh-most in the Eastern Conference.

Head coach Paul Dalglish remains in charge of the team, having moved back to the bench from the front office after an 0-3 start by the team last season. Lance Rozeboom and Sean McFarlane headline those returning to the club, but what is perhaps more noteworthy is the club’s incoming group.

Miami added an influx of scoring to its roster, led by 2020 all-USL selection and former Robert Morris University standout Devon “Speedy” Williams. The club also added Billy Forbes, who tallied seven goals in 16 matches, and former Riverhounds forward Christiano François, who notched six goals last season. The club also re-signed Ariel Martinez, who originally played for Miami for three seasons in the North American Soccer League.

Miami bolstered its defense, as well, signing three-time all-USL selection Paco Craig, who returns to the U.S. after a Covid-shortened stint in England with Wycombe Wanderers in England’s League One.

The clubs meet for the first time on June 12 at Highmark Stadium and will play in Pittsburgh again on Aug. 11. The Hounds travel to Miami twice in the final month of the season, on Oct. 2 and Oct. 17, where they will play at the largest venue in the division, the 20,000-seat Riccardo Silva Stadium.

Hounds ink defender Shane Wiedt to deal for 2021

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has signed defender Shane Wiedt to a one-year deal for the 2021 season with a club option for 2022, pending USL Championship and USSF approval.

Wiedt, 25, is a native of Akron, Ohio, and he is making a return to the Steel City after finishing his college career in 2018 at the University of Pittsburgh.

“Shane sees the game well from the back and is comfortable on the ball under pressure,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “He has shown consistency during our preseason and will bring quality to our defensive group for the 2021 season.”

Wiedt came to Pitt and started 16 games as a graduate transfer after playing the first three years of his college career with the University of Akron. In 2017, his Zips team reached the NCAA semifinals before losing 2-0 to eventual champion Stanford.

After finishing at Pitt, Wiedt entered the pro ranks midway through the 2019 USL season, signing with Loudoun United. Over the next season and a half, Wiedt made 20 appearances, and he scored his first professional goal for Loudoun during the shortened 2020 season.

Wiedt has been with the Hounds as an invited trialist throughout the preseason. He has appeared in all five preseason matches thus far, starting two, as he earned his way onto the roster.

Defender Jelani Peters signed to one-year deal with Hounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has signed defender Jelani Peters to a one-year deal for the 2021 season with a club option for 2022, pending USL Championship and USSF approval.

Peters, 27, is a 6-foot-4 center back and native of Trinidad and Tobago who has been with the Hounds since the beginning of preseason as a trialist, earning a roster spot after starting in four of the five preseason matches to date.

“Jelani is an athletic defender who is good in the air and strong in the tackle. He continues to get more comfortable in our system and should be a sold piece for us moving forward during the 2021 season,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said.

Peters began his career with St. Ann’s Rangers and W Connection in the TT Pro League in his home country, a tenure that included making four starts in the CONCACAF Champions League with W Connection in 2016.

In 2017, he was loaned to Toronto FC II, then in the USL Championship, which would later sign him to a permanent deal. He played for the club through the 2019 season in USL League One, but Toronto FC II did not compete in the 2020 USL season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Peters also received a call-up to the Trinidad and Tobago National Team in 2016 during qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. He was on the bench for matches against Costa Rica and Honduras in the final qualifying round but has yet to make his international debut.

RDA Weekend Recap – April 24-25

Two more trophies came home last weekend from the boys’ weekend of the Club Ohio Nike Challenge Cup, as the Riverhounds Development Academy continued its busy spring at the tournament and hosting two more days of ECNL matches on both the boys and girls side.

The 2012 East Boys, the youngest of the teams to travel, battled through some tough matches to win their championship game 2-1 over another Pa. side, Hotspurs North. The team scraped through their group with a 2-2 draw against Canton United earlier Sunday after wins of 5-3 and 7-1 in Saturday’s play. Caden Holland, Ridge Brunton and Nick Bosnic were among those with good weekends in a trophy-winning performance.

The 10 East Boys had an easier time of it claiming their division, beating Westerville United (Ohio) in the final, 4-0. That final was their closest match of the weekend, as they outscored their opponents 33-2 over the course of four matches.

Apart from those two sides, the RDA had a series of near-misses in championship matches, none closer than the 02/03 RDA II Boys falling 3-2 on penalty kicks to nearby Century United. Jacob Gardner tied the game with a headed goal, as the teams finished regulation and extra time tied 1-1.

The 08 RDA II Boys, 08 East Boys, 09 RDA II Boys and 10 Boys also reached the final of their respective divisions for a total of seven Hounds sides in championship games.

Back home, league play was in full swing for the ECNL sides, and the 05 Girls continued their impressive run to 13 matches without a defeat.

The 05s won 2-0 over Internationals SC behind two Lola Abraham goals, and they battled to a 1-1 draw with Ohio Premier with Fiona Mahan getting the Hounds’ strike. The results keep the Hounds in the top three in the Ohio Valley Conference, which puts them in position to claim an ECNL Champions League berth.

The 04 Girls did come out with a win over Ohio Premier, 1-0, on a Londynn Gonzalez goal, while the 02/03 Girls fell 3-2 in a wild finish, as Ohio Premier’s goalkeeper scored from a corner kick late in stoppage time.

On the boys side, Saturday was a productive one in matches against Pacesetter SC (Ohio), with wins by the 02/03, 04 and 05 sides, all of which recorded clean sheets on the Highmark turf.

For more from a busy weekend with more than 70 matches played, visit the Live Results page.

Meet the Division: Loudoun United FC

We’re midway through our trip up and down the Atlantic Division, and the next stop is our nearest USL Championship opponent for 2021, Loudoun United FC.

The Riverhounds have won all five meetings with Loudoun, the D.C. United affiliate, since they entered the USL Championship in the 2019 season. The most recent of those was no cakewalk, however, as an Albert Dikwa goal in the 81st minute was needed to get a 1-0 win at Segra Field in Leesburg, Va., on Sept. 19, 2020.

Loudoun United has yet to reach the playoffs, falling just four points short in their inaugural season before finishing last in Group F with a 1-9-3 record a season ago. As they did a year ago, they will rely on a bevy of younger players to fill out the lineup. That could lead to some inconsistency, but also a potential to surprise opponents.

Ryan Martin remains at the helm for a third season Loudoun, and the cupboard wasn’t completely bare for him entering the season with Nigerien 20-year-old forward Kairou Amoustapha and 19-year-old Virginia native Ted Ku-DiPietro in the midfield both returning from 2020.

The team also added midfielder Drew Skundrich, who spent the past two seasons in Sacramento, and they return defender Robby Dambrot, a player with plenty of Pittsburgh ties as a former college player for Pitt who is the son of Duquesne basketball coach Keith Dambrot.

The Hounds will see Loudoun early and often in their schedule, as they travel to Leesburg for their first midweek game of the season Wednesday, June 2.

The teams meet again June 30 in Virginia and July 17 at Highmark Stadium before the season series culminates with a Sept. 11 meeting in Pittsburgh.

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