The Howler

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.

Kenardo Forbes announces retirement

PITTSBURGH (March 13, 2025) — Kenardo Forbes, the most decorated player in Pittsburgh Riverhounds history and holder of multiple USL Championship and club records, has announced his retirement from playing and will move into a coaching role with the Riverhounds.

Forbes, 36, completes a professional career spanning nearly two decades, beginning as a teenager in his native Jamaica and appearing three times for the Jamaican National Team. He then came to the United States, originally to play indoor soccer, before eventually becoming one of the most recognizable players in the USL Championship.

He made his announcement official with a statement posted today to social media:

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A post shared by kenardo forbes (@kenardoforbes_11)

Forbes retires as the all-time record holder in the USL Championship for regular-season assists (66), matches played (295) and minutes played (22,224), accomplishing those feats in 10 seasons with the Rochester Rhinos (2015-17) and Riverhounds (2018-24). He was also named either First Team or Second Team All-League seven times in his career, more than any other player. With the Rhinos, Forbes won the league title in 2015 on an extra time goal in the final that, fittingly, was assisted by Forbes.

With the Riverhounds, he steps away as the team’s all-time leader in assists (55) and matches played (226). In 2019, Forbes was one of the three finalists for USL Championship Most Valuable Player after leading the team to the best record in the Eastern Conference. And in his final season as the team’s captain, 2023, he became the first player to post consecutive double-digit assist seasons in league history while guiding the Hounds to their first official trophy, the USL Championship Players’ Shield.

Forbes’ tenure in Pittsburgh coincides with the Riverhounds’ most successful run in team history. The club amassed a record of 118-54-67 with Forbes on the roster, putting together a club-best run of seven consecutive seasons both reaching the playoffs and having a winning record.

“For all of his accomplishments, and they’re too many to count, Kenny has always put others first. For 10 years, and the last seven in Pittsburgh, he has championed his teammates, entertained the fans and cherished the club and people associated with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said.

“He has been loyal, but more importantly, invested; consistent, but more importantly constant; and of service to all those around him in an effortless and humble manner. We have all been blessed to share our journeys with King Kenny, and I can assure you the bar has risen because of him.”

Forbes’ unmatched playing career will be honored with a special pre-match ceremony before the Riverhounds home opener at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, March 22 at 7 p.m. against Hartford Athletic.

Hounds announce 2025 TV schedule

PITTSBURGH (March 4, 2025) — Fans will have plenty of ways to watch all the action of the 2025 Pittsburgh Riverhounds season, as renewed partnerships with KDKA+ and SportsNet Pittsburgh — coupled with the Hounds’ national TV matches — will have all 34 regular-season matches airing live locally.

KDKA+ will enter its third season as the over-the-air home of the Hounds’ by showing 18 matches, including marquee home meetings with Eastern Conference champ Rhode Island (May 31) and Detroit (June 7). Their coverage will stretch all the way to the team’s season finale on Oct. 26 against Phoenix, and Hounds coverage and interviews will be carried on KDKA newscasts throughout the season.

SportsNet Pittsburgh is on board for a second year of Hounds action, starting with the season opener at 7 p.m. this Saturday at North Carolina FC. Also the cable home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates, SportsNet Pittsburgh will carry 13 Hounds matches on its channels, utilizing their SNP+ alternate channel to ensure every minute is carried live where overlap could occur with Pirates baseball coverage.

“We are proud to announce the return of KDKA+ for a third season and SportsNet Pittsburgh for a second season as our official broadcast partners for the 2025 Riverhounds season. These partnerships are instrumental in expanding our reach and making Riverhounds soccer more readily available to fans across the region,” Riverhounds Director of Corporate Partnerships Zack Kaminski said.

“Both KDKA+ and SportsNet Pittsburgh share our vision of fostering a vibrant soccer culture in our community. Their commitment to quality coverage not only brings our matches into the living rooms of dedicated fans but also introduces new audiences to the excitement and passion of Riverhounds soccer. We are excited to continue working together to enhance the experience for our supporters and to build a strong connection with the Pittsburgh community as we embark on another thrilling season.”

In addition, three Hounds matches have already been selected for national TV broadcasts as part of the USL Championship’s league-wide deal, starting with a home match against Loudoun on July 13 at 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. After being picked up by ESPN2, the Hounds’ road match at Detroit was moved a day earlier to July 18 at 7 p.m., and ESPN2 also will have the broadcast when the Hounds host Miami on July 29 at 7 p.m.

Fans will also be able to catch matches on the go, with ESPN+ and CBS Sports Golazo streaming all 34 matches throughout the season, in addition to a stream on the KDKA website for in-market fans during KDKA+ telecasts.

The Hounds will be in the national focus even more for their home opener against Hartford Athletic on March 22 with the 7 p.m. match being broadcast nationally on the Spanish-language TUDN network in addition to the local SportsNet Pittsburgh coverage.

Two Hounds matches also have been picked up for national radio broadcasts on SiriusXM FC, Channel 157 — March 29 vs. Birmingham and May 10 at Louisville.

Broadcast schedules and match times are subject to change. For the latest information, visit Riverhounds.com or follow the team @RiverhoundsSC on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter.

Downloadable 2025 TV schedule Download

2025 Hounds kits unveiled & on sale

PITTSBURGH (Feb. 27, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, in collaboration with their exclusive kit provider, CHARLY USA, is excited today to introduce brand new home, away and goalkeeper kits for the 2025 USL Championship season.

Keeping the resilience and toughness that are identified with the City of Pittsburgh front of mind, the Hounds enlisted help from some of the city’s brave first responders — the firefighters of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire’s Station #4 in Uptown — to unveil new kits that are both traditional while having bold, new flair to create uniforms that are undoubtedly Made for Pittsburgh.

Joining the Hounds players and firefighters in the special launch video were children who represent the next generation of fans and the connections that have grown between the city and its professional club in more than a quarter-century of Hounds soccer.

Fans will see some familiar design elements when they see the 2025 kits, as well as some new additions. Among those are the distinctive “412” and “PGH” markings on the back collar, and a visual nod the checkered pattern in the municipal coat of arms featured on the city’s flag, which served as a launching point for this year’s designs.

About the kits

The team’s home Hounds Heritage jersey is a throwback to the black-and-yellow hoops worn by the team during some of their most successful seasons, most recently their 2023 Players’ Shield-winning campaign. But more than simple stripes, the jerseys carry a subtle checkered pattern on both the front and back, with two tones of yellow and black meshing to form a uniquely Pittsburgh look.

The away kit maintains the yellow and gray coloring of recent seasons, but now those shades are incorporated into a full-jersey checked pattern that is unique to any kit of the Hounds’ previous 25 seasons.

The goalkeeper kits boast the most Pittsburgh-exclusive element — actually picturing the city itself in the form of an aerial map that provides the decorative lines on the front. The Hounds’ goalkeepers will sport the map designs on red, blue and green kits during the 2025 season.

All of the kits are made with CHARLY’s DRYFACTOR technology with micro-vent side panes for breathability and ease of movement. They feature the Hounds logo on a raised, full-color silicone badge on the chest, a “1999” pawprint silhouette on the bottom right side, and the authentic, licensed product verification with QR code on the bottom left.

On-sale now

To celebrate the release of the 2025 kits, the Highmark Stadium Team Store will be open for special 12-8 p.m. hours on Thursday with the home, away and red goalkeeper jerseys available. Along with the chance to purchase the new kits, fans in attendance with have the opportunity to register for giveaways, receive discounts on tickets for the upcoming season and enjoy a Pop-Up Happy Hour in the Corona Cantina from 5-7 p.m.

The 2025 kits will also be available for purchase online through the team store starting at noon Thursday; visit Riverhounds.com and click “SHOP” at the top of the page.

The Hounds will kick off the 2025 season in their new kits next Saturday, March 8, when they travel to face North Carolina FC in a 7 p.m. match.

Time, venue change for Pitt preseason match

(Updated 4:05 p.m. — As a result of the venue change, fans will not be able to attend the match)

PITTSBURGH (Feb. 20, 2025) — Due to expected wintry weather and below-freezing temperatures, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ preseason match tomorrow against the University of Pittsburgh has been moved to a 9:30 a.m. kickoff at the Pitt Sports Dome on the school’s Oakland campus.

As a result of the venue change, fans will not be able to attend.

Updates and a recap of the preseason match will be provided though the Riverhounds’ social media channels, the Riverhounds app and on Riverhounds.com, as the Hounds and Panthers play an exhibition match for the fourth straight year and the eighth time in the past nine years.

For further media inquiries, please email media@riverhounds.com.

Players take part at Beth Shalom charity luncheon

On Sunday, Feb. 16, Riverhounds players and AMO were honored to once again be special guests at the Annual Sports Luncheon hosted by the Beth Shalom Men’s Club at the Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom in Squirrel Hill.

The annual luncheon, which has been held for more than six decades, is a charity event benefitting more than a half dozen organizations that help adults and children with special needs and drew nearly 500 people to the ballroom on a snowy afternoon. The event provides an opportunity for those groups and their guests to meet and mingle with pro and college athletes, while enjoying a lunch served by some of the college athletes volunteering their time to be at the event, representing Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Carnegie Mellon, Carlow and Point Park.

This year was the third year the Riverhounds have been represented at the luncheon, and Robbie Mertz, Sean Suber and Luke Biasi took part on behalf the club. The trio sat on the dais alongside Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein; Ryla Jones and Bre Kelley from Pitt’s Final Four women’s volleyball team; members of the Pittsburgh Passion women’s football team; and the emcee for the afternoon, WTAE-TV Sports Director Andrew Stockey.

The Hounds were thrilled to once again be guests supporting the special needs community in Pittsburgh, and our players and AMO had a great time signing autographs and taking part in the day’s festivities.

Hounds’ Garner, Rudy honored with front office awards

List of 2024 USL Championship Starting XI Award winners

Each season, the USL Championship honors front office members who significantly impact their organizations with the Front Office Starting XI awards. And once again in 2024, members of the Riverhounds’ staff were recognized as the best in their field.

This year’s Starting XI recognized the Pittsburgh Riverhounds by naming Team President Jeff Garner as the recipient in the Leadership category, and Senior Director of Ticketing Nicole Rudy was honored in the Ticketing category. Garner, who became the Hounds’ President during the 2022 season, was honored for the first time, while Rudy earned the Ticketing award for the second consecutive year of her three full seasons with the organization.

For the first time, the league office selected the nominees for the 2024 awards across 11 categories, while the individual teams remained responsible for the voting, as they had been previously. This honor reflects the Riverhounds’ outstanding performance in the front office, highlighting significant achievements that have spurred the club’s growth.

“The USL Starting XI Leadership Award is truly a reflection of the incredible dedication and hard work of our ownership, staff, players, coaches, partners and fans,” Garner said. “Over the past two years, we’ve built something special together, and this recognition belongs to all of them. Success in leadership is about surrounding yourself with great people, and I’m fortunate to work alongside an amazing team that is committed to growing the game and making a lasting impact in Pittsburgh.”

The Riverhounds’ Ticketing Department introduced new initiatives in 2024, including two-year season ticket plans designed to help establish a longer-lasting base. The Riverhounds averaged 5,048 fans per game last season, achieving 101 percent of their seating capacity.

“It is a huge honor to be considered among the top with such a great group, the best there are. Some of the people I was nominated against are people I admire and look up to,” Rudy said. “To do it two times in a row wasn’t something I thought would be possible, but I am grateful for the work that we are doing here, and the growth is being recognized among the league. The growth would not be possible without my staff.”

This season marks the second consecutive year the Riverhounds won two awards out of the 11 categories, as the team was honored in both Ticketing and PR/Communications for 2023.

The club is incredibly proud of Garner and Rudy for their dedication and the positive impact they have had on its growth. With strong leadership and passionate fan support, the Riverhounds continue to build momentum off the field as they look toward the future.

USL takes bold step forward with launch of Division One men’s league

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2025) — The United Soccer League (USL) announced plans to launch a Division One men’s professional league in 2027-28, bringing the highest level of soccer to more communities across the country. This groundbreaking initiative builds on the USL’s commitment to grow the game at all levels, provide new opportunities for players, teams, and fans, and strengthen the foundation of American soccer at a time when the sport is experiencing unprecedented momentum.

“Today is a defining moment for the USL and the future of soccer in the United States,” said Alec Papadakis, CEO of the United Soccer League. “Creating a Division One league is a bold step forward, expanding access to top-tier competition, deepening the connection between our communities and taking another step in aligning with the structure of the global game. By uniting people through soccer and bringing Division One to more cities, we’re not just growing the sport — we’re creating lasting opportunities while building a more sustainable and vibrant soccer ecosystem in the U.S.”

A Division One league — defined by the sanctioning standards of the U.S. Soccer Federation as the highest level for professional soccer in the United States — represents the next evolution in the USL’s structure, establishing a fully integrated pathway for clubs and players. With the USL Championship (Division Two) and USL League One (Division Three) already providing a strong foundation for player development and competition, the new league completes the system, ensuring seamless progression for talent at all levels.

“The USL has long been committed to creating a structure that drives growth, opportunity, and long-term success in American soccer,” Papadakis added. “The USL model empowers clubs with greater autonomy and fosters a dynamic, interconnected system — one that allows them to compete at the highest level while remaining deeply rooted in their communities. Around the world, top-tier clubs thrive in cities of all sizes, and we believe the same is possible here. The demand and infrastructure are in place, and the potential for growth is immense.”

The new league will serve as a platform for both rising and established players to compete at the highest operational professional standards in the U.S., further elevating the quality of play within the USL and the level of the domestic player pool for international competitions.

Interest in soccer in the United States is at an all-time high, fueled by rising participation rates, increased media exposure, and growing anticipation for major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. As North America prepares to host these global tournaments, the sport is at a pivotal moment, creating unparalleled opportunities to invest in its long-term future.

Hounds announce 2025 Promotional Schedule

PITTSBURGH (Feb. 6, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC unveiled its 2025 Promotional Schedule this afternoon, continuing the team’s commitment to creating an unforgettable entertainment experience for all at Highmark Stadium around the centerpiece of the Hounds’ USL Championship action.

This year’s 17-match home schedule will feature many of the staple promotions Hounds fans have come to love, such as fireworks nights, postgame concerts, celebrity appearances and unique giveaways. In addition to those experiences, every game will feature the Hounds’ on-field autograph session, bringing fans young and old closer to their favorite players.

Single-game tickets for 2025 will go on sale to the general public Thursday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m., so fans can start planning their nights out at Highmark Stadium to be part of a season filled with excitement and unmatched value. Highlighting this year’s promotions:

Fireworks Frenzy — Join us on the field after the match for four dazzling postgame fireworks shows, starting with the season’s home opener March 22 against Hartford Athletic. The pyrotechnic fun will also run on June 21, July 29 and Oct. 11, with the Downtown skyline providing the perfect backdrop.
$1 Beers and Bands — Start the pregame festivities early with the always-popular $1 Beer promotion from 5 p.m. until kickoff, and wind down with a live postgame concert on the field. May 31, June 28, Aug. 9 and Sept. 27 are the dates to mark for our fan-favorite beverage special.
FamFest — Bring the whole family on these dates with extra, interactive fun for our youngest fans. Mascot Mania returns on May 3, “Be Our Neighbor”/Changemakers Community Impact Night falls on July 4, Touch-a-Truck comes to Highmark on July 13 and Community Heroes Night on Sept. 13.
Spotlight Series — Don’t miss another great series of special celebrity guest and nationally touring entertainment acts. This year’s goes lineup includes WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts on Aug. 16, actor Efren Ramirez (Pedro from “Napoleon Dynamite”) on Aug. 2 and “Dance Moms” star Melissa Gisoni kicking off the series on March 29. Highlighting the halftime show lineup is the high-energy performance of Bucket Ruckus, who will take the field at Highmark during the team’s annual “White Aht Night” on June 7.

Several special giveaway nights add value to the schedule in 2025 and give fans a piece of their experience to take home. Leading the way is the Robbie Mertz Bobblehead promotion on July 13, celebrating the midfielder with more than 130 Hounds appearances and more goals than any other Pittsburgh-raised player in Hounds history. The giveaways start with the March 22 home opener with a special Eric Dick “Golden Glove” giveaway — a handy take-home oven mitt designed in the style of a goalkeeper glove signed by the reigning Championship Goalkeeper of the Year. Fans can also snag a limited-edition, Highmark Stadium-modeled coaster set to take home from the anticipated June 7 match vs. Detroit.

As always, the regular-season wraps up with the annual Fan Appreciation Night on Oct. 25, with bonus giveaways and special thanks for our dedicated supporters as they cheer the team toward an eighth consecutive USL Championship Playoff berth.

Promotional and Theme Nights are subject to change, and more will be added in the run-up to the 2025 season. Fans are able to purchase special Flex Packs with tickets for every game of the Fireworks, FamFest or $1 Beer series by using this new special offer available HERE.

Full-season tickets and additional multi-game Fan Flex Packs are also available now at riverhounds.com/tickets.

2025 Riverhounds SC Promotional Schedule

March 22 — Firework Frenzy; Eric Dick “Golden Glove” giveaway
March 29 — Spotlight Series: Melissa Gisoni
May 3 — FamFest: Mascot Mania
May 31 — $1 Beers and Bands; Military Appreciation Night
June 7 — “White Aht” & Stadium Coaster giveaway; Spotlight Series: Bucket Ruckus halftime show
June 21 — Firework Frenzy; Soccer is for Everyone Night
June 28 — $1 Beers and Bands; “Puttsburgh” Night
July 4 — FamFest: “Be Our Neighbor” Night & Changemakers
July 13 — FamFest: Touch-a-Truck; Robbie Mertz Bobblehead giveaway
July 29 — Firework Frenzy
Aug. 2 — Spotlight Series: Efren Ramirez
Aug. 9 — $1 Beers and Bands; Throwback Night
Aug. 16 — Spotlight Series: Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Sept. 13 — FamFest: Community Heroes; Wearable Flag giveaway
Sept. 27 — $1 Beers and Bands
Oct. 11 — Firework Frenzy; Kick Out Cancer Night
Oct. 25 — Fan Appreciation Night

Pittsburgh teams gather for Girls & Women in Sports Day event

Staff from the Riverhounds and Riveters joined representatives from Pittsburgh’s other professional teams, the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, on Wednesday, Feb. 5 for a special event celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day hosted by the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore.

Pittsburgh’s teams partnered with Operation Warm and their FLY:FWD program to provide essentials to Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Girls Flag Football teams, and volunteers from the pro teams at the event took the time to prepare and box the care packages for delivery.

Operation Warm discovered that the absence of sports bras is hindering young girls from actively participating in football, thus, the FLY:FWD program was created, which is aimed at addressing disparities and equipping young girls from diverse backgrounds with the gear they need to participate in sports.

In response to this issue and in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, volunteers met at Acrisure Stadium on Feb. 5, to package 500 sports bras that were distributed to young female athletes 250 from Allderdice, Brashear, Carrick, Obama and Westinghouse girls flag football programs.

Players chosen by their program from each school were on-site to receive the gifts, and remarks were made by representatives from each professional sports program to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day and inspire these young athletes by recognizing that sports is a space for women and girls.

Below are some of the images from Wednesday’s event, a celebration of girls and women in sports. (Photos by Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers and Mallory Neil/Pittsburgh Riverhounds.)

The Howler

About the kits

On-sale now

2025 Riverhounds SC Promotional Schedule

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