The match between the Riverhounds and Steel City (Tuesday, March 17 -- 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium) will be the first time two teams from the Pittsburgh area will face off against each other in the proper US Open Cup tournament since 1957 -- a span of nearly seven decades and 69 years!

John and Nicky discussed an array of topics, including: 

• How the Pittsburgh soccer landscape has changed since he was a young player 
• Playing in US Open Cup with three different clubs (Michigan Bucks -- 2014 PDL Champions, Riverhounds in 2015 and Steel City FC in 2024)
• Experience of being with Riverhounds in 2015 during its Open Cup run, when current Head Coach Rob Vincent scored in three straight matches during the Cup competition 
• Being brought to Steel City FC (initially Pittsburgh Hotspurs) to help provide leadership and veteran presence, eventually helping play a key role in building successful, winning culture, which has included three straight Division championships (2023 and 2024 in NPSL, 2025 in USL League Two) 
• Significance of the first match between two Pittsburgh clubs in the Open Cup since 1957!

And much more!  

Among the topics discussed included: 

• Juggling post-collegiate life while still training and competing with Steel City FC
• How Steel City's roster evolved through Open Cup qualifying, building a strong player pool and rounding into form as the Open Cup and USL League Two season approaches 
• Thoughts on building on a successful first season in USL League Two 
• Importance of match between two Pittsburgh-area teams in the US Open Cup (First Match between two Pittsburgh clubs in USOC proper in 69 years) 
• What it will be like to have Steel City FC supporters and soccer family supporting them at Highmark Stadium 
• Importance of Open Cup friendlies against Robert Morris and Duquesne 
• Thoughts on facing the Riverhounds 

However, will the season start on time?  

The USLPA and USL Headquarters continue to negoiate in good faith, but with less than 48 hours before kickoff, there is still no new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and the league. 

 John and Mark share their thoughts on the 11th Hour negoiations, then roll up their sleeves to discuss some of the Five Burning Questions for the Riverhounds as they begin their title defense under a new, permanent Head Coach, Rob Vincent, then make their Annual predictions.  

This seemed like a great opportunity to bring back and check in with Tom Ovenden and Dan Brower, Steel City FC's owner/president and the men's first team Head Coach to discuss the match and the club's efforts to partner with the Riverhounds in hosting the Open Cup match.   

This time he comes back to the club, with a new contract, as a champion, postseason hero and even more determined to contribute in contributing to the Riverhounds' standard of success that has been part of his tenures with the team.

As the Hounds kick off the preseason, Mertz joins John Krysinsky on the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast for a revealing and compelling in-depth interview.  

Among the topics John and Robbie discuss included:

• reflections on last season's remarkable postseason run, the team's resilience in overcoming adversity, dealing with what he described as a 'shocking' coaching change, finding a way to score the biggest goal in club history after missing golden chances the previous week, then experiencing hospitalization from exhaustion
• signing a new contract and looking forward to a transition to the new season as Rob Vincent has been implemented as the permanent Head Coach and what his role will be with the team 
• the continuing efforts of the USLPA to bring higher standards for players and reach a new collective bargaining agreement with the league -- as negotiations are still at a standstill 

Mertz, 29, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of nearby Upper St. Clair High School, has been a mainstay for the Hounds since signing with his hometown club as a rookie in 2019. While he did have a short stint with Atlanta United 2 starting in 2021, he rejoined the Hounds via transfer midway through the 2022 season and will be entering his seventh season with the team.

In January, the United Soccer Coaches Annual Convention in Philadelphia, the organization honored Waldrum, along with Craig Ewing, Al Miller and Steve Sampson, as part of its 2026 Hall of Fame Class.

The U.S. Soccer coaching icon, who helped build successful women's college soccer programs at every stop, including at University of Pittsburgh, sat down with John Krysinsky for a special interview segment for Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.

In this segment, Randy shares more on recieving on of the highest honors for a soccer coach in the United States and devulges into his career and soccer journey while also sharing plenty of thoughts on the current state of women's soccer, college athletics, thoughts on VAR, advice for coaches and how he's been transitioning in his new role as Technical Director for Pitt women's soccer and much more.

The former WPIAL and club soccer standout, who went on to a four-year career at Duquesne University, played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, where he (no pun intended) was part of the team that bridged the gap playing before scarce crowds at Chartiers Valley to the inagural season at Highmark Stadium. 

Lundberg has stayed involved with the game with local amateur clubs including Tartan Devils Oak Avalon of Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League and is now one of the veteran leaders for Pittsburgh's new pro indoor soccer club, Bridge City FC.  

On the first episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast of 2026, Lundberg took a few moments to catch up with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky, sharing more about his soccer journey and the new experience playing indoor soccer with a team that has been a very interesting collection of young and veteran players, and much more.

If there was one overriding theme in this conversation with Griffin, it was about how the team banded together and remained a close-knit group regardless of what ever adversity it faced, eventually finding a way to pull off an improbable run through the playoffs without allowing a goal and bringing home Pittsburgh's first-ever professional soccer Championship in the modern era.  

"In all my years here, we've always had a close-knit locker room and the guys demanding more from each other," Griffin shared.  

"Guys would get on each other. Get after each other about what we needed to do. There's struggles in every season, but in those little moments, there are guys that really stepped up and had each other's back.  That went a long way for everyone." 

Joining PSN's John Krysinsky includes Matthew Baldwin, who has covered the Riverhounds for the past two-and-half seasons with multiple outlets including previously with Pittsburgh Soccer Now and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Keith Barnes.

Today, John Krysinsky caught up with Riverhounds' All-USL Championship First Team defender Sean Suber as the third-year pro

• Thoughts on experience playing before Pittsburgh fans for three straight playoff matches
• How team has adjusted to each opponent through the playoffs and what have been the biggest challenges
• How Sean's soccer journey brought him to Pittsburgh and being teammates with Danny Griffin in each of the past three years
• How team is feeling and thoughts on the match-up vs Tulsa

Then, John is joined by Steel City FC's Nolan Hutter, who's been helping lead Pittsburgh's USL League Two makeshift squad through 2026 US Open Cup Qualifying:

Among the topics John and Nolan discussed include: 

• Steel City's quest to get into the US Open Cup proper tournament by way of qualifying with a makeshift roster
• What it means to represent Steel City FC
• Thoughts on his alma mater Robert Morris's chances in the Horizon League playoffs

Together, John and Joe breakdown the match-up and discuss the many, many storylines for the first Hounds home playoff match since 2023 and only the second this decade.  

Among the topics discussed with Day include: 

• Can this Pitt MSOC squad still be a Top 10 caliber 
• What improvements can they be making to not just be ball dominant but more dangerous in attacking third? 
• How have injuries affected this team so far this season and how much do they miss a fully healthy Casper Svendby?
• Incredibly difficult and challenging schedule is always part of what Pitt HC Jay Vidovich has done to build his program

David Day previously was the head coach of the La Roche University Men’s Soccer Team where he built, led, and coached a team of talented players at the NCAA Division III level. Day took over the program in 2009 and led the men's soccer team to AMCC Tournament appearances in all ten seasons at the helm. His teams advanced to the AMCC Tournament Semifinals five times and never had a conference losing record. He twice led the Redhawks to program-bests 7-2 conference records.  In his final season, Day became the men's soccer all-time winningest coach at LaRoche. Under his watch, men's soccer had the AMCC Player of the Year, AMCC Newcomer of the Year, 2 All-Region performers, and 34 All-Conference honorees.

“That was an exciting. cool thing that provided great moments. Hopefully, we can create some more good memories this fall,” Potter told Pittsburgh Soccer Now early this week as his team is preparing for Thursday’s season opener at Mercyhurst.

Talk about a tough act to follow.

Listen here to the full interview with Potter, as his team was selected third in the Horizon League preseason poll.  

Among the topics Devin breaks down include: 

• Riverhounds attacking line still trying to find solutions
• Assessing Bob Lilley and his value to the Riverhounds' franchise 
• Can the Hounds find some quality wins?  
• Pitt has only one thing on their mind at this time every year -- having sights on a National Championship run  

And much, much more! 

About Devon Kerr

Devon has quickly become one of the most respected analysts in the sport. 

He has called MLS matches for the FOX Sports family of networks and continues to be the only lead analyst across four different entities - The USL Championship, the NCAA Men’s College Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup. He played collegiately at Stetson University and competed in the Germany’s Regionalliga with Altona 93. He currently resides in Delray Beach, Florida with his wife and three kids.

This week, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky caught up with Mertz to discuss this milestone and many other topics on the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, including:

• His evolution as a player from when he came into USL Championship in 2019 to now  
• The differences in the league since he began his pro soccer journey
• Carrying tradition of local players who have been with the club and the relationships he has with some of the past players who had an influence on him 
• Thoughts on this year's team and the importance of finishing strong 
• His role in generating chances, scoring goals and the team's approach
• How has the club evolved and prospered under the direction Head Coach Bob Lilley since 2019
• Looking at this week's match-up vs Orange County SC and opportunities that lie ahead, including home matches vs Charleston and Louisville 
• Adjusting to becoming a new father in the middle of the season and whirlwind in the days leading up to and after his child's birth 

And much more.  

With the FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico less than one year away, Mike and John discuss the state of USMNT along with more on FIFA's Club World Cup. 

Then shifting gears, they also tackle another column that Mike wrote about this week, which is one of the greatest debates that extends to all sports fans, Michael Jordan vs LeBron James -- and what is soccer's equivalent. 

For the first time since the transition took place, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky had a chance to visit Pitt's Peterson Sports Complex and sit down with the father and son duo who have led Pitt women's soccer to its most successful era and has reached its greatest heights since they arrived in 2018.

In this exclusive, in-depth interview, among the topics discussed -- IN PART II -- included:

• Final thoughts on last season and the program's make-up in what will also be a transitional season with many new faces along with some key returnees
• What are three qualities that stand out to Randy and Ben about each other

and much more.

For the first time since the transition took place, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky had a chance to visit Pitt's Peterson Sports Complex and sit down with the father and son duo who have led Pitt women's soccer to its most successful era and has reached its greatest heights since they arrived in 2018.

In this exclusive, in-depth interview, among the topics discussed — IN PART I — included:

• Has anything changed since the transition was made official, even as Ben Waldrum had been serving as de facto Head Coach for the past couple of years
• Impact of House Settlement (*), as the settlement establishes new rules governing student-athlete NIL rights, compensation, scholarships, and roster sizes
• State of women's soccer and College game's role in its growth along with how it can be relevant in its changing landscape

And more!!

Two key members of the squad, Nathan Prex (Seneca Valley HS/Lebanon Valley) and Josh Lane (Leicester, England/Robert Morris), sat down for an interview on the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky.

Prex, a former standout with Seneca Valley who has excelled at Lebanon Valley College (30 goals in his first three college seasons), has scored one goal and added two assists in nine appearances and logging a total of 534 minutes with Steel City.  

Lane, who helped lead Robert Morris to Horizon League Championship in the Fall, has made six appearances with a total of 671 minutes in goal since making his debut with the club.

Having been there to help foster the start and as a constant in the incremental growth and ascension of the Riverhounds Development Academy, Gibson was tabbed to take the role as the first-ever coach of W League League squad that would play at Highmark Stadium and generate a new level of excitement for women's soccer. 

Among topics Gibson discusses includes: 

• Whirlwind first season at helm 
• Ups and downs of first-ever campaign 
• Building a team identity and style of play as Gibson cites: "You build culture, you build identity, and that kind of bleeds into how you play" 
• Roster Building 
• Thoughts on upcoming postseason match vs Minnesota Aurora and hosting Central Conference Semifinals and hoping to reach Sunday night's final 

and much more...   

On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, Shearer, DiMatteo and Glorioso join Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky to share more details about the new Major League Indoor Soccer franchise: Bridge City FC.    

After years of playing Division I collegiate and professional indoor soccer in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), with teams like the Baltimore Blast and Harrisburg Heat, the trio is launching a new franchise, Bridge City FC, in the Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS).

Focusing on this  match-up, many players on both rosters are from in and around the Greater Pittsburgh area.  Many of the players on both sides know each other very well.  There are many current college teammates, former high school and club teammates, along with each club having players from their respective current Academy teams.  

Chances are, many of the players will be looking over at the other side, seeing a good friend or longtime teammate.  

However, there are two players from these opposing clubs who know each other best: Robin Reilly and Regan Reilly.

On a very special episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, PSN's John Krysinsky catches up with the former Latrobe High School standouts and siblings who have gone separate ways with their Academy and Club careers -- and now compete for each of Pittsburgh area's clubs in the USL W League.

Regan is the older of the two, but is the middle sister of the family (oldest sister Morgan, attends Duquesne).  Regan, currently at Bowling Green University, lines up for Steel City FC.  Robin, who is a recent high school graduate who completed her degree early so she could attend West Virginia University this past Spring semester, wears the Riveters' Black & Gold and previously was with Riverhounds Development Academy.

With the Riveters, Robin has played five matches (started one) in 142 minutes of action, while Regan has started six matches in seven appearances, logging 453 minutes.

In the first match between the clubs, a 3-1 Riveters victory at Founders Field, Regan, and outside back/defender, started for Steel City but came off in the 66th minute, while Robin, an attacking winger, subbed on for the Riveters in the 80th minute, so the sisters avoided doing actual battle.

In this in-depth interview, Regan and Robin discuss numerous topics including their respective soccer journeys, what it's been like growing up with each other and during a time when Pittsburgh womens/girls soccer has seen an explosion of talent, how each found their own pathway to play soccer at higher level, what's it been like to train and compete with their respective clubs, they discuss each other's playing style and attributes and much more.  

Head Coach Tom Ovenden jumps on with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky to talk about the season to this point, this Friday's high-stakes match-up vs Riveters at Highmark Stadium as both teams are vying for Great Forest Division top spot and more.  

In this episode, John and Chloe discuss the Riverhounds and Riveters Play for Change Initiative, Chloe's post-graduate work and return to playing soccer in her hometown, how she got involved in establishing the fund in memory of her former classmate, Haley Weiss, and much more.

More about Play for Change and Chloe Kuminkoski Glioma Research Fund

Riveters Play for Change is a ticketing program that allows fans to enjoy their favorite events while supporting charities chosen by Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Pittsburgh Riveters SC players.

With every ticket purchase, $5 is donated to the charity selected by the player you choose to support.

For the first year of the Pittsburgh Riveters and Riveters Play for Change, the team is supporting a single charity organized by one of their own: the Chloe Kuminkoski Glioma Research Fund.

The Research Fund raises money to support pediatric brain cancer research and is a deeply personal cause for Chloe. She established the fund in memory of her former classmate, Haley Weiss, who lost her battle to brain cancer in 2021, and Chloe now is taking this opportunity to help others by combining her passions for soccer and medicine.
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To purchase tickets for upcoming matches and have a portion of the proceeds go toward the Chloe Kuminkoski Glioma Research Fund visit RivetersSC.com 

John and Matt -- who were both there on that memorable night -- discuss what stands out now -- 10 years later from that match and how Pittsburgh soccer's landscape has been shaped since that time.

More on the 'Miracle on the Mon'

Those who have been following the Riverhounds, Pittsburgh soccer and our site closely over the years -- you probably know and have read all about it -- but for those who are new to our site, the Riverhounds and Pittsburgh soccer in general -- this was Pittsburgh soccer's equivalent of the 'Immaculate Reception'.

On May 29, 2015, Pittsburgh Riverhounds battled back to defeat in-state rival, Harrisburg City Islanders, in dramatic fashion, overcoming 3-0, 4-2 and 5-3 (at start of stoppage time) deficits to pull off remarkable and unprecedented 6-5 victory.

It was such a stunning finish.

We'll probably never see something like it again.

And 10 years later, it's safe to say, we haven't seen anything close to a match or a comeback like that.

The Riverhounds' incredible comeback victory and the series that season the club had with its in-state rival, Harrisburg City Islanders, became the inspiration for my book, aptly named Miracle on the Mon, which was published and released five years ago this week.

This book not only chronicles the events leading up to and from this remarkable soccer match, but also shares the backstory of the struggles and challenges of a lower division soccer club during a time when the professional soccer landscape in the United States was experiencing unprecedented transition and expansion.  The match took place only a few years after the opening of Highmark Stadium, as the Riverhounds were fighting for survival and relevance.

Steel City FC will kick off their 2025 campaign this coming week, when they travel north to take on Erie Sports Center on Saturday (6 p.m.).

Looking ahead to a new season, co-captains Emily Graeca and Helena Locateli along with Head Coach Tom Ovenden joined John Krysinsky on the latest episode of the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.

This match-up provides an excellent opportunity for the two managing editors and site founders, John Krysinsky from Pittsburgh Soccer Now and Matt Ralph from Philadelphia Soccer Now to come together on a special edition of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast to preview the match between two teams going in different directions in their respective leagues.

John and Matt take a look at the match-up and discuss a number of topics: 

• Finally -- a Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh pro soccer match-up 
• Taking a look at Pennsylvania's soccer landscape and various professional rivalries that have come and gone 
• Throw out records and where teams stand in their respective leagues
• Another facinating tactical match-up between Bob Lilley vs MLS coach who's relatively new to his club
• Thoughts on lineup selections for both squads
• Can the Hounds navigate their way against Philadelphia's high press

Steel City FC kick off a new campaign coming off winning back-to-back NPSL Great Lakes Conference Championships, bringing back many key contributors, but also having said goodbye to some others who have either retired (Nicky Kolarac and Garret Watson) or have moved on to even higher levels (Michael Sullivan with MLS's Toronto FC)

Among the topics covered and discussed include: 

• John breaks down the Hounds current form -- which has not been good -- as they head into this midweek Open Cup clash at Highmark Stadium
• Pittsburgh's short history of success against MLS clubs in Pittsburgh -- and how this current Hounds group which is struggling -- can draw inspiration from past, positive results vs MLS clubs 

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2025/05/05/struggling-riverhounds-can-find-inspiration-from-short-history-of-solid-home-performances-vs-mls-clubs-in-us-open-cup/

• Mark, who also hosts the Colorado Rapids podcast, Holding the High Line, jumps on to take a closer look at NYCFC and breaks down their squad.  
• The pair also discuss the challenges for coaches in lineup selections, the importance of depth and how young players can make an impact in Open Cup matches
• Impact that the crowd at Highmark Stadium can have in a match like this

With the shortened regular season, the Hounds are nearly at the quarter mark of the league schedule -- and a few members of Pittsburgh Soccer Now's team coverage team, Colton Coreschi and Mark Goodman joined John Krysinsky for a couple of segments of the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast to share their thoughts on the Hounds after the first four matches.

Among the topics tackled by Colton, Mark and John, included:

• Early season takeaways
• Biggest surprises
• Biggest disappointments
• What to expect as Hounds will be on the road for almost all of April (pending US Open Cup match )

Listen to both segments here and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.

This week, Michael joins John Krysinsky to talk in more depth about his experience and shares more of this thoughts on the ups and downs of overseeing a club and much more -- including his thoughts on if he were to return to Pittsburgh -- about the possibility of a second pro soccer team in our region.  

In more than two years, Monsour has the club positioned in a good place.The club, which  followed the lead of Monsour's Pittsburgh City United by mandating protective headgear for its players, subject to approval from the Gibraltar Football Association. As part of the takeover, the club filmed a documentary and continues to promote the impact of protective headgear on head injuries and partner with the Concussion Legacy Foundation.  By January 2023, one of the most iconic football clubs in Gibraltar’s storied football history, became the first top flight European football club to have all 10 outfield players wear protective headgear in a professional match in an effort to promote concussion awareness and safety in the beautiful game.  

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2025/03/15/final-riverhounds-sc-vs-san-antonio-fc/

Shortly after the match, PSN's John Krysinsky was joined by Colton Coreschi to break down the Hounds' first loss of the season.  

You can catch the post match reaction show on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast and on PSN's YouTube Channel.  

"Once I knew I didn't have the fitness to go full 90 minutes," Forbes told Pittsburgh Soccer Now last week in an exclusive interview, after the Hounds training session at AHN Montour Sports Complex.

PSN's John Krysinsky has more from Kenardo on his retirement and transitioning to becoming a part of the club's coaching staff.

PSN's John Krysinsky and Colton Coreshi have the immediate post match reaction and share their takeaways.   

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2025/03/08/final-north-carolina-fc-1-riverhounds-1/

PSN’s John Krysinsky was joined by Mark Goodman 'Soccer Rabbi' and La Mega Media‘s Amadeo Eichberg, as they took turns making their predictions for the season ahead.

These predictions included:

1. Predict following Hounds’ results this year:
   1. How Many Points in Regular Season?
   2. Where do they finish in Eastern Conference standings?
   3. How far can the Hounds advance in Jagermeister Cup and US Open Cup?
2. Who will be the Riverhounds’ leading scorer?
3. What new player are you most interested in seeing this year?
4. Which team comes out of the Eastern Conference this year to play in USL Cup Final?
5. Each panelist shares a HOT TAKE (or two) for the upcoming season!

Together John and Racheal discuss the following:

• As Pittsburgh Riveters SC prepare to kick off its inaugural campaign, will the excitement and momentum result in paving the way toward women's pro soccer team in Pittsburgh?  
• More from Rachael's interview with Amanda Vandervort, USL Super League President, and her feature story on Super League for Equalizer Soccer 
• Thoughts about Riveters and Steel City FC entering the W-League
• Pitt alums and Pittsburgh-area natives making their mark in the pros
• Can USL Super League find its place on the U.S. Soccer landscape
• Thoughts on potential development of US Women's Open Cup
• College women's soccer programs face challenges in building rosters with NCAA rules changes
• USWNT: SheBelieves Cup and more

• USL announces plans for Division One league to launch in 2027.  Will the Riverhounds SC be one of the teams considered?  
• Pittsburgh contrasting W-League clubs -- what each bring to the table as there's an added level of excitement coming with Riveters SC inaugural campaign and Steel City FC's first year in new league
• Improvements to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule and participants in 2025 along with what to be watching for in the early rounds along with Riverhounds' prospects as they'll enter the tournament in the Third Round.  
• Added thoughts on Riverhounds roster and preseason 

and much more! 

-- Looking back at the organization's biggest accomplishments since taking over in mid-2022 
-- Timetable on Highmark Stadium renovations 
-- Excitement is high, and tickets are selling for debut of Riveters SC  
-- Importance of community partnerships 

and much more.

Schupansky signed a two-year deal, through the 2026 NWSL season with a club option for the 2027 season, with Gotham FC.  

Sarah discusses her soccer journey and much more, including the hectic past couple of months transitioning from completing her senior season and college career at Pitt to taking part in the process of signing on with an agent and earning her first pro contract as a free agent as NWSL eliminated all drafts, collegiate and expansion, last summer upon the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement. **  

Schupansky is coming off a collegiate season where she led the entire NCAA with 15 assists. Throughout five seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers, she scored 32 goals and was the all-time leader in assists with 43. In 2023, she was named to the All-ACC First Team, making her the first-ever Panther to be named to the list.

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/12/23/sarah-schupansky-signs-gotham-fc-nwsl/

Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky caught up with Sullivan for an interview in the latest edition of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast. 

The Pittsburgh area native who is from Tarentum and starred at Deer Lakes High School along with Steel City FC (previously Arsenal and Century United), then for four years at Pitt, shared more about his journey and growth as a player and person and discussed the experience of wrapping up his senior season, then quickly turning around and going through the MLS combine and getting drafted.

Among the topics discussed include: 

• Steel City's ascension and growth as a club 
• Men's team's move from NPSL to USL League Two, thoughts on US Open Cup experience and continuity with players, coaches and Academy program's contributions
• Women's team natural move to W League and having a close, geographic rival in the new Pittsburgh Riveters SC

And much more  

John is joined by ACC Network / ESPN+ broadcaster Jason Earle, who was on the call for Pitt's NCAA tournament win on Sunday (3-2 extra time thriller vs Kansas City) and has called many Pitt men's and women's soccer matches in the past few years.

In addition, John also shares his thoughts on Riverhounds SC's first roster signing announcements (and Edward Kizza's departure) that came last week and what to expect as the Hounds work toward building 2025 roster.

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/11/18/robert-morris-mens-soccer-captain-gabe-norris-hc-jonathan-potter-look-forward-to-ncaa-tournament/

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2024/11/02/battery-1-hounds-0-final/

Ahead of the match, PSN's John Krysinsky caught up with USL Championship broadcast analyst, Ricky Lopez-Espin, who will be on the call for Saturday's match.  

Together, John and Ricky break down the match between the second place Battery, who made a run to and hosted the USL Cup Final last season, while the Riverhounds come into the match red hot having lost just one match in its last 16 to clinch its seventh straight postseason berth under Head Coach Bob Lilley.  

Plus, John is joined by PSN's busiest contributor, Griffin Floyd, who's been covering both Riverhounds and Pitt men's soccer home matches, to talk about the atmosphere at both Highmark Stadium and Ambrose Urbanic Field as both teams are peaking at the right time.  

Team Captain and midfielder Danny Griffin joined Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky at midweek, as the team is preparing for yet another 'do-or-die' match -- this time at home (Saturday, 7 p.m.) against Western Conference last place team, El Paso Locomotive, as if they win that match, they'll clinch a postseason spot. 

Griffin discussed a number of topics including: 

• Last weekend's win at Loudoun United FC
• The importance of getting off to good start and weathering storms in each match 
• Executing 'Lilleyball' and playing on front foot even when being outpossessed 
• Impact of attacking unit with the addition of Bertin Jacquesson 
• Does he watch other games around the league that impact the playoff race
• What to expect when facing frisky El Paso 
• and more! 

With the Riverhounds in the thick of USL Championship playoff race, with five matches remaining, they currently are two points behind the playoff line despite a strong second half season push that has included many strong performances from the veteran keeper, who is second in the Championship with 11 clean sheets.  
 

Among the topics covered in the interview include: 

• What its going to take for the Riverhounds to make a successful late season push to get over the playoff line 
• Navigating the ups and downs of what's been a roller coaster season to this point. 

In this interview, Coach Waldrum talks about the challenges he has faced personally and the team's start to the season.

Waldrum will not be making the trip, as he tends to his wife, who recently had heart surgery.

The veteran head coach also discussed among other things:

• Following success of previous season, playing as a team with a target on its back
• Importance of making adjustments to teams loading up the box to slow down Pitt's attack
• Dealing with what appears to be some injuries and knocks sustained by a few key players

The former Upper St Clair, University of Michigan standout joins Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky to talk about the Riverhounds' challenging 2024 season, the ups and downs, and how he's and the team have persevered.

John and Michael preview what both describe as a match of two desperate teams in search of points, at one point the play-by-play broadcaster pointing out "It's as much of a must win as you can possibly have in the middle of July"

Among the topics discussed included:

• Managing and importance of delegating responsibilities with Pitt's program and the Nigerian National team duties
• Keeping Pitt women's soccer program momentum going as a new season kicks off in August, with more on challenges that lie ahead from schedule, travel and replacing departed players
• Year of growth for Pitt rising sophomore, Deborah Abiodun, who is one of the roster selections made by Waldrum for Nigeria's squad headed to France
• Attributes to being successful as a National Team Coach
• Biggest difference between last year's World Cup, and this year's Olympics, for Waldrum's Nigeria's Super Falcons squad, who will face Brazil, Spain -- world champions, and Japan in a six-day span beginning July 25.  
• And more!  

This week, as part of our series of interviews with area college soccer coaches as we look ahead to the Fall 2024 season, Potter joins PSN's John Krysinsky on the latest edition of the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.

With a largely retooled roster, Potter led the Colonials to a 5-6-5 overall record in his first campaign in Moon Township.  

Among the topics discussed on this podcast included:

• Getting fully acquainted to Pittsburgh
• Looking back at his first season
• Numerous RMU players on NPSL (namely Steel City FC) and USL League Two rosters this Spring/Summer
• How Transfer Portal has changed recruiting and roster building
• Looking ahead to 2024 season

and much more!

In some respects, it might be considered a bold move in hiring such a young coach without Division I head coaching experience -- as Rick joins RMU after spending the previous two seasons at the University of Findlay, a Division II school in Findlay, Ohio, where she had a 22-11-7 overall record and back-to-back berths in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals.

PSN's John Krysinsky had a chance to catch up with Rick this week, to discuss her transition to her new role in Pittsburgh and much more.  

It was a far from ideal start from the Riverhounds, who have been shut out in consecutive matches to begin the 2024 season.  It's the first time the Hounds have been shut out in back-to-back contests since mid-2022.  

PSN's John's Krysinsky is joined by Matthew Baldwin,  who was at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, as they look back at the match, and take a closer look at why the Hounds have come up short against what appears to be two of the tougher Western Conference clubs to start the season.   

Photo Credit: Ed Thompson

PSN's John Krysinsky was joined by Matt Popchock, Colton Coreschi and La Mega Media's Amadeo Eichberg, as they took turns making their predictions for the season ahead. These predictions included: 

1. Predict following Hounds' results this year:
   1. How Many Points in Regular Season?
   2. Where do they finish in Eastern Conference standings?
   3. Starting in Round of 32 -- how far can the Hounds advance in US Open Cup?
2. Who will be the Riverhounds' leading scorer?
3. What new player are you most interested in seeing this year?
4. Which team comes out of the Eastern Conference this year to play in USL Cup Final?
5. Each panalist shares a HOT TAKE (or two) for the upcoming season!

Rob and John discuss his adjustment from coaching with the Academy to now being back with the pro team, this time as Bob Lilley's assistant.

Other topics tackled included:

• Importance of the process of open and invitational tryouts in building roster
• On playing against (nearly a decade ago) and now coaching Kenardo Forbes
• Assessing Hounds' midfield from veterans to the young players
• thoughts on the current US Open Cup format/situation and importance of the tournament in growing excitement for the game at all levels in the U.S.
• looking ahead to schedule ahead early in the season -- and more on the week one match-up at New Mexico
• and more!  

John, Colton and Matthew address the Hounds' biggest question marks as the club looks to keep the momentum going from an ultra-successful 2023 campaign.  

Additionally, John is joined by Pittsburgh businessmen Roger Loughney and David Grim, who are exploring an opportunity to invest in IK Start, a prominent soccer club in Kristiansand, southern Norway. Learn more about this group that they've headed up, is confident that their combined expertise and capital can usher in a new era of success for the 118-year-old club. 

In his new role, Visser will work in tandem with head coach Bob Lilley, guiding the pro team’s scouting and player recruitment efforts to build a championship-caliber team next season and beyond. He also will work directly with the Riverhounds Academy as the club continues to build a direct pathway for its players to rise through the development program to the professional level, both with the Hounds’ First Team and to opportunities in the global soccer market.

Visser took time out of his busy schedule in his first few days in this position to talk to PSN's John Krysinsky for the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer.  

La Mega Media's Amadeo Eichberg there in St. Petersburg on Saturday -- and shares more on his experience covering the match, from taking the same flight with the team to the Hounds' ability to clamp down and defeat the Rowdies and what it was like to be in the joyous locker room.

Mirkovic is one of the best midfielders in the country, especially with his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He posted 12 assists in 2022, a program record  in a single season, and his .60 assists per game finished as No. 7 in the nation.

He placed on the First Team All-ACC and All-South Region Team thanks to his great play last season, and has been named to the United Soccer Coaches Midfielders to Watch List for 2023.

Mirkovic played a large role in helping Pitt reach their third straight Elite Eight and their second ever College Cup appearance in 2022, and has been an instrumental figure for the program since his arrival in Oakland in 2020. In total, he has made 59 appearances and 55 starts in his Pitt career, producing 19 assists and scoring nine goals.

Those 19 assists and his 0.32 assists per game are both fourth best in program history.

In addition, Mirkovic, who grew up in New York City, played for NYCFC Academy and attended Lab High School for Collaborative Studies. This offseason Mirkovic trained and competed with the Long Island Rough Riders of USL League Two -- and had the opportunity to play with the famed Wrexham AFC Red Dragons squad in the 7v7 The Soccer Tournament played in Cary, NC, earlier this Summer.

Mike and Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky talk about the U.S. Women's National Team's chances for a three-peat, what are the most intriguing storylines at the World Cup, a few of his feature stories on the most compelling USWNT players Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe and young forward Sophia Smith.

Plus, John and Mike also take a few moments to discuss the veteran sports writer's recent column as part of The Sporting News' series on top athletes from each City, with his Pittsburgh sports Mt. Rushmore.

Steel City FC men's soccer team have completed an unbeaten regular season (10-0-2), and will now await the winner of Cleveland SC-Michigan Rangers in the NPSL's Great Lakes Conference Final on Saturday at Founder's' Field. A veteran midfielder for the club, and one of the club's original players going back to Fort Pitt Regiment and Pittsburgh Hotspurs days, Nicky Kolarac joins the pod to share more about his team's success this season and the excitement leading up to Saturday's big match.  

A total of 44 players (plus one) were taken.

Listen to here to find out which Riverhounds players from the past decade were selected...

Lilley also shares his thoughts on a few topics including penalty kick shootouts, what rules changes he would like to see and much more.  

• Favorite World Cup memory
• Messi or Ronaldo?
• Can USMNT get to KO round?
• The PSN World Cup Draft Contest (each member picked two teams from each group)
• Predictions for Groups & Final

On Monday, Pitt men learned that they've earned a fourth consecutive berth to the big dance, receiving an at-large bid.  The men will face Horizon League champion, Cleveland State, on Thursday night, at Ambrose Urbanic Field.  

The women won their first-ever tournament game on Saturday, on a very wet and cold night at Ambrose, thanks in large part to super sub Leah Pais, who converted on her chance in the 85th minute, to give the Panthers a 1-0 win vs Buffalo.  

In the latest edition of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky and Dom Campbell talk about NCAA Soccer Tournament Fever that has taken over the University of Pittsburgh. 

Mark Goodman joins John Krysinsky to take a look at the Riverhounds recent struggles including this past Saturday's 1-0 loss to Western Conference leaders, San Antonio FC. 

Then, John is joined by Dominic Campbell, who has covered the last two Pitt home matches at Ambrose Urbanic Field for Pittsburgh Soccer Now, including this past Friday's stunning 3-1 loss to Virginia.  

Klein will become the sixth member of the team’s Hall of Fame and the first to be inducted after the original class was named in 2019. The ceremony will be the highlight of the team’s Throwback Night promotion, and many of Klein’s former players from the Hounds will be in attendance for the induction.

Scheduled to introduce Klein for induction are Justin Evans, the Hounds Hall of Famer who played under Klein and was his successor as head coach, and Paul Child, the former Pittsburgh Spirit star and Klein’s longtime colleague as a coach and broadcaster.

Among the topics Devon shared his insights included:  

• Impact of Pitt's new addition have in making the Panthers a legit ACC and NCAA College Cup contender
• Pitt Head Coach Jay Vidovich's tactical foundation and ability to build around talented players 
• 21st Century College Soccer Model -- will it ever happen? 
• Looking back at Riverhounds SC disappointing draw vs Charleston and their current run of form against teams they're expected to beat 
• Does Bob Liley overthink things too much?  
• Can the Hounds finish strong against a tough schedule?  

It won't be easy. 

PSN's John Krysinsky caught up with The Daily Memphian's John Varlas, who covers the club which boasts former USMNT/EPL keeper Tim Howard as Sporting Director and part-owner, and has suddenly surged forward to become a serious contender in the USL Championship for the first time in its four-year existence, 

So are the rest of teams ahead of them in the standings.

Despite being unbeaten in its last seven matches (6-0-1), the Hounds remain in fourth place in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference standings, behind Louisville City FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies and this week's opponent, Memphis 901 FC.

John and Dan Angell talk about their current form, including their latest win at Indy Eleven.  

The Hounds (now 7-3-1 in league play) dropped to fourth place in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference standings. 

On this episode of 'Sounding Off on Soccer', Pittsburgh Soccer Now's Mark Goodman and John Krysinsky take a look as some reasons why the Hounds are struggling away from home early in the 2022 season.