USL News

Mertz named USLC Player of the Week

PITTSBURGH and TAMPA, Fla. (June 10, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC midfielder Robbie Mertz was named the USL Championship Player of the Week, presented by Konami eFootball, for Week 13/14, the league announced this afternoon.

Mertz was exceptional in the Hounds’ 2-0 victory over Detroit City FC on Saturday, a feat made more remarkable coming less than 48 hours after the birth of his first son late Thursday.

Mertz assisted the opening goal of the game with his long diagonal pass to the head of Perrin Barnes, who joins Mertz on the Team of the Week. In the second half, Mertz fought through contact to knock home the team’s second goal on a back-post run, securing three points in a battle of teams jockeying for playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

On top of the goal contributions — Mertz now has eight career matches with multiple goal contributions — Mertz hit a pair of milestones with his 20th goal in a Riverhounds uniform while playing his 150th match in all competitions for the club.

Over the course of his 69 minutes on the field, Mertz connected on 80 percent of his passes overall (24 of 30), and his accuracy was the exact same on passes in the attacking third of the field (12 of 15). He also led the team with seven total crosses and three chances created playing the attacking midfield role in the Hounds’ formation.

It is the first time Mertz has been named Player of the Week in his USL Championship career and the first time a Hounds player has won the honor in 2025. He won the honor with 54 percent of the vote by the USL National Media Panel, besting joint runners-up Kyle Edwards of Hartford and Dariusz Formella of Phoenix.

Barnes, meanwhile, is honored with his first Team of the Week placement after scoring his first professional goal on Saturday.

Playing a wing back/outside midfield role on the right side, the first-year Hound also won 7 of 10 duels for the ball, took possession three times, won three free kicks and created a pair of chances himself. He also struck the cross that led to Mertz’s goal, though the assist on the play went to Danny Griffin for his header to flick the ball onward to the back post.

More about this week’s complete Team of the Week can be found at uslchampionship.com.

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.

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.

Riverhounds announce 2025 schedule

PITTSBURGH (Dec. 19, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s 2025 schedule was announced this afternoon, unveiling a 34-game slate that includes both USL Championship regular season and — brand new this year — USL Jägermeister Cup group play matches.

The Hounds have reached the playoffs in all seven seasons under head coach Bob Lilley, and his eighth year at the helm in Pittsburgh will begin with two straight road matches: Saturday, March 8 at North Carolina FC and Saturday, March 15 at San Antonio FC.

The 17-match home schedule will kick off on the final two Saturdays in March with two familiar Eastern Conference foes. Hartford Athletic will kick off the Hounds’ 13th season at Highmark Stadium on March 22, and Birmingham Legion FC will be the opposition on March 29.

Other highlights on the regular-season schedule include the return of the Hounds’ traditional Independence Day home date, a Friday, July 4 contest against New Mexico United before the City of Pittsburgh’s fireworks light up the sky. That falls in the heart of a summer loaded with action, with three home matches in each of June, July and August.

The schedule winds down with the Hounds alternating away and home matches on Saturdays through September and October, wrapping up with an Oct. 18 road trip to Monterey Bay FC and an Oct. 25 regular-season finale hosting Phoenix Rising FC.

Mixed into the schedule are four Jägermeister Cup group play matches, as USL Championship teams participate for the first time in the inter-league cup competition. The Hounds will visit Detroit City FC (April 26) and host Rhode Island FC (May 31) in their first two matches before meeting a pair of USL League One teams for the first time, hosting Westchester SC (June 28) and visiting Portland Hearts of Pine (July 26).

Additional matches will be added to the schedule for the Hounds to compete in the U.S. Open Cup and if the Hounds advance to the knockout rounds of the Jägermeister Cup. Match times, TV schedules and home game promotions will be announced at a later date.

Riverhounds season tickets for 2025 are on sale now, and single-game tickets are set to go on sale in late January. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit riverhounds.com or contact the Highmark Stadium Box Office at 412-865-GOAL.

To see the full 2025 schedule, visit riverhounds.com/schedule.

Championship teams to enter 2025 Jägermeister Cup

TAMPA, Fla. and PITTSBURGH (Dec. 12, 2024) — The United Soccer League (USL) announced today the expansion of the USL Jägermeister Cup, uniting clubs from the USL Championship and League One in a groundbreaking interleague competition. The 2025 tournament represents a significant milestone for domestic soccer, as it marks the first time a U.S. soccer league has established its own interleague cup.

Entering its second year after a successful launch exclusively with League One clubs last season, the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup will feature all 38 professional men’s clubs, including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, competing in a World Cup-style tournament throughout the regular season. Adding more meaningful matches to the annual calendar, the USL Jägermeister Cup includes fan-first modifications to encourage attacking soccer, such as penalty shootouts to determine match winners during the group stage and goals scored as the first tiebreaker in the group standings.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jägermeister to expand the competition to include both our men’s professional leagues and create more matches of consequence,” said USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough. “This new approach highlights the vision and commitment of our owners to explore innovative ways to adapt our structure, delivering a more compelling and entertaining format. This first-of-its-kind cup will give fans additional opportunities to support their teams and celebrate their communities in an exciting tournament.”

The USL Jägermeister Cup will consist of six regional groups, with six or seven teams assigned by league or conference affiliation per group. Each team will play four matches — two home, two away — in group play with home assignments being randomly drawn. The group stage kicks off April 26 and concludes the weekend of July 26. After the group stage, a draw will set the matchups for the single-elimination knockout rounds, which will begin three weeks later. The USL Jägermeister Cup will conclude with the Final on the weekend of Oct. 11.

The Riverhounds have been placed in Group 4 for the 2025 competition, pairing them with fellow Championship sides Detroit City FC, Hartford Athletic and Rhode Island FC. Filling out the group are two newcomers to League One: New York-based Westchester SC and Portland Hearts of Pine from Maine.

The addition of the Jägermeister Cup gives the Riverhounds three distinct competitions to contest in 2025. The new tournament will be played concurrently with the USL Championship season and the U.S. Open Cup, giving the Hounds multiple opportunities to add to their trophy collection. The schedule for Jägermeister Cup matches will be announced concurrently with the forthcoming announcement of the USL Championship schedule.

The Jägermeister brand has been a pioneer in sports business and soccer. In 1973, Jägermeister became the first company to place a logo on a Bundesliga club’s jersey with the sponsorship of Eintracht Braunschweig. Jägermeister is committed to crafting some of the best nights in sports and will be working with partners in local USL communities to host special events announced at a later date.

In addition to the clubs and players being highlighted throughout the tournament, fans will also have their own shot at glory in the “Shot at Glory Bracket Challenge” which will launch ahead of the first match day.

More information about the USL Jägermeister Cup will be shared in the coming months leading up to the competition and throughout the tournament on our dedicated social media channels at USL Jägermeister Cup on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

2025 USL Jägermeister Cup Groups

GROUP 1	GROUP 2	GROUP 3	GROUP 4	GROUP 5	GROUP 6
AV Alta FC	Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC	Birmingham Legion FC	Detroit City FC	Charlotte Independence	Charleston Battery
Las Vegas Lights FC	El Paso Locomotive FC	Chattanooga Red Wolves SC	Hartford Athletic	Lexington SC	Greenville Triumph
Monterey Bay F.C.	New Mexico United	Forward Madison FC	Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	Loudoun United FC	Miami FC
Oakland Roots SC	Phoenix Rising FC	Indy Eleven	Portland Hearts of Pine	Louisville City FC	FC Naples
Orange County SC	San Antonio FC	One Knoxville SC	Rhode Island FC	North Carolina FC	Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sacramento Republic FC	Texoma FC	FC Tulsa	Westchester SC	Richmond Kickers	Tormenta FC
Spokane Velocity FC	Union Omaha

Eric Dick named Goalkeeper of the Year

Pittsburgh Riverhounds Goalie Eric Dick being named Goalkeeper of the Year

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 19, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC goalkeeper Eric Dick was announced this afternoon as the USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year, the league’s top annual honor for the position.

Dick was outstanding in his first season with the Riverhounds after signing as a free agent. The shot stopper was first in the Championship with a 0.69 goals-against average and a .791 save percentage, while also tying for the league lead with 14 shutouts.

The Hounds’ goalkeeper received 49 percent of the vote for the award, voted upon by club officials and media members, to finish ahead of fellow finalists Danny Vitiello of Sacramento Republic FC and Renan Ribeiro of Hartford Athletic. By winning Goalkeeper of the Year, Dick swept the league’s postseason honors for goalkeepers in 2024 — Goalkeeper of the Year, Golden Glove (lowest GAA) and First Team All-USL.

“I’m honored and grateful to receive this award. First, I must congratulate Danny and Renan for outstanding seasons and all of the goalkeepers that make up one heck of a talented USL Goalkeepers’ Union,” Dick said. “I truly give all the glory to God, for it is through him and for him that I play the game.”

Dick came to the Riverhounds after spending the past two seasons under contract with Minnesota United FC of MLS. A former first-round MLS draft pick by Sporting Kansas City, Dick also spent time with the Columbus Crew, but this season represented his first run as a regular starter since 2018-19 when he was on loan with former USL Championship club Swope Park Rangers.

He shined with the opportunity, starting 26 matches and making 68 saves — the most by a Hounds goalkeeper since 2012 — also setting the club’s single-season shutouts record and helping the Hounds allow a league-low 28 goals.

According to advanced metrics by Opta, Dick also had a league-best 10.44 Goals Prevented with just 18 goals allowed while facing an Expected Goals on Target Conceded mark of 28.44. That helped the Hounds clinch their seventh consecutive USL Championship Playoffs berth, extending the longest such run in club history.

“My name may be on the award, but it should simply read ‘Riverhounds.’ The front office, coach Bob Lilley and the rest of the coaching staff took a chance on me. My GK coach, Jon Busch, along with Jacob (Randolph) and Gabriel (Perrotta) made up the best dang GKU in the league,” Dick said. “I’m also thankful to the athletic training staff and strength staff for keeping myself and everyone healthy and strong.”

Dick continued: “My teammates, who were the ones doing the hard work, running around, cutting out far more chances than those that ever got to me. They made my job so easy by being the best defense in the USL. I am an extension of them all. And a final thanks to our amazing fans who stood by us all year. You made Highmark Stadium a party all season long!”

Eric Dick chosen for All-League First Team

Riverhounds goalkeeper Eric Dick takes the field ahead of the team's match against San Antonio FC on Aug. 10, 2024, at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC) — *Riverhounds goalkeeper Eric Dick takes the field ahead of the team’s match against San Antonio FC on Aug. 10, 2024, at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Mallory Neil/Riverhounds SC)*

(Updated with league awards information on Nov. 14)

PITTSBURGH (Nov. 13, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC goalkeeper Eric Dick was selected to the 2024 USL Championship All-League First Team, the league announced today.

Dick, who completed his first season with the Riverhounds in 2024, was also the winner of the league’s Golden Glove award with a 0.69 goals-against average, the lowest in the league. He also finished the season with a .791 save percentage that was second amongst qualified goalkeepers, and his 14 shutouts tied for the league lead and set a new Riverhounds’ single-season record.

After coming to the Hounds as a free agent from Minnesota United of MLS, the 30-year-old native of Roeland Park, Kan., started 26 of the Hounds’ 34 regular-season matches. He allowed only 18 goals in those games, as the Hounds allowed a league-low 28 goals total in 2024.

Dick becomes the first Hounds goalkeeper to earn First Team honors in the “modern” USL Championship era (2011-present), and only the second in club history after Hunter Gilstrap took First Team honors in the 2010 USL Second Division. Dick is also the 14th All-USL honoree in the past seven seasons under coach Bob Lilley, and the seventh First Team pick during that time.

(Updated 11/14) Dick also was named Thursday as one of the three finalists for the USL Championship’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award, one of the league’s five individual postseason awards. He is joined by former Hounds shot stopper Danny Vitiello of Sacramento Republic FC and Hartford Athletic goalie Renan Ribeiro on the candidate list for the award.

The winner will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 19, as part of the awards week that leads into the USL Championship Final on Saturday, Nov. 23, airing live on CBS.

To see the complete USL Championship All-League Teams, visit uslchampionship.com.

Picture of Eric Dick with his nomination to the 2024 USL first team All- League

Kizza nominated for Player of the Month

Pittsburgh Riverhounds forward Edward Kizza celebrates after scoring a goal against Hartford Athletic on July 20, 2024, at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh — *Edward Kizza is one of four finalists for USL Championship Player of the Month in October. (Photo: Steven Smith/For Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 31, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC striker Edward Kizza is one of four finalists for the USL Championship Player of the Month for October, the league announced this afternoon.

Kizza is the first Hounds player to be up for the award in 2024 after scoring a goal in all four of the Hounds’ matches — victories over Miami, Charleston, Loudoun and El Paso — during the month. The scoring outburst brought Kizza’s season total to a career-best 12 goals, and it helped propel the Hounds from 10th in the Eastern Conference at the start of the month to a seventh consecutive USL Championship Playoffs berth as the No. 7 seed.

Other finalists for the award are Danny Barrera of Hartford Athletic, Evan Conway of North Carolina FC, and JJ Williams of Rhode Island FC.

Fan voting — as well as a vote by the league’s Technical Committee and National Media Panel — will run through noon Monday, Nov. 4. The winner will be announced after voting has concluded.

Hounds fans can vote for Kizza by visiting USLChampionship.com or by clicking the button below!

VOTE EDWARD KIZZA FOR PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Eric Dick wins USL Championship Golden Glove

2024 Golden Glove winner and Pittsburgh Riverhounds goalkeeper Eric Dick during a Home Game at Highmark Stadium — *Riverhounds goalkeeper Eric Dick (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 27, 2024) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC goalkeeper Eric Dick is the winner of the 2024 USL Championship Golden Glove, presented by Select Sport America, awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-against average across the league.

Dick was confirmed as the winner of the award after the conclusion of the regular season Saturday. He ended the regular season having allowed 18 goals in 26 matches, good for a league-best 0.69 goals-against average.

Dick, 30, signed with the Riverhounds as a free agent prior to this season. Having spent time as a backup in MLS with Sporting Kansas City, Columbus Crew and Minnesota United, this season was his first opportunity to be a regular starter since a 2018-19 loan spell with former USL side Swope Park Rangers.

The Roeland Park, Kansas, native made the most of that chance, recording a Hounds-record 14 clean sheets on the season and stopping 68 of 86 shots on goal for a .791 save percentage, which goes down as the fourth-best single-season percentage in club history.

Dick is the second Hounds player to win the Golden Glove after Danny Vitiello, who earned the award in 2020.

Charly

USL News

2025 USL Jägermeister Cup Groups

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