After busy offseason, Riverhounds getting acclimated to new teammates

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are just over a month away from their first regular season game of the 2021 season and are looking to use every day to come together after a busy offseason.

After a covid-19 shortened season, where they finished 11-5-1 and lost to Louisville City FC in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season, the Riverhounds roster underwent a massive transformation. Only seven players from last year’s team remain on the roster.

Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Ryan James and Pittsburgh native Robbie Mertz were among the most notable departures, but veteran coach Bob Lilley is sure the Hounds will be able to fill the holes left accordingly.

“That’s always a challenge (to replace those guys), but I think we had a good offseason,” Lilley said. “We lost some talented guys, but we feel good and we brought in a number of talented guys and experienced guys who, at this moment, are still getting acclimated to our team, but we brought in a lot of players into this group with a ton of upside. We aren’t struggling for capable players in this group right now.”

Among Pittsburgh’s signings were veteran forward Alex Dixon, who played under Lilley during his time with the Rochester Rhinos, as well as forward Russell Cicerone and nine others who will look to help the Riverhounds return to the playoffs.

The Riverhounds signed 11 new players leading into their first day of training earlier this week, and with their season opener against the Tampa Bay Rowdies set for May 8, Lilley is looking to get his new players acclimated to his style of play.

They will have plenty of help in doing so.

Captain Kenardo Forbes, who became the USL Championship all-time assists leader last season, is back in the center for Pittsburgh, along with defender Jordan Dover, goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, midfielders Dani Rovira and Danny Griffin, and forwards Albert Dikwa and Anthony Velarde.

Forbes and Dover have been with the Hounds for the past three seasons and also can provide a veteran voice in the locker room. But, as one of the leaders of the team, Forbes is taking it upon himself to bring his new teammates along in order to be prepared for the season.

“It’s up to me, Jordan and even Alex Dixon, who played with Bob in Rochester and knows the system, to relay the message to the new guys,” Forbes said. “Sometimes Bob gives you a lot of information so it’s our job as players to help the guys understand the system and show them ways to think about what Bob is teaching. It’s just our job to help them process the information quickly.”

Having a group of returning players from their previous season is a tactic that Lilley has always used when building his teams from year to year. He brings back a core group of players and builds around them with players that fill the needs they are looking for and that’s been crucial to their success over the past few seasons.

“Sometimes that foundation has been a little bit more in terms of numbers but we always try to bring foundational pieces back that we trust and not are only good players, but are good in the locker room, good work ethic, good personalities,” Lilley said. “We have some good pieces foundationally that will help lead and guide the next group in here. They train well and they are sharp.”

In the past two seasons, the Riverhounds have made early exits from the playoffs, losing to Louisville City FC both times. In 2019 they captured an Eastern Conference title and last season they fell after punching their ticket to the playoffs.

As the Riverhounds prepare for another season though, Forbes said this team already has a different feel. With a number of veterans, mixed with the youth and talent, the Riverhounds might have the right mixture to get over the hump.

“The biggest thing is experience because in the playoffs it takes experience,” Forbes said. “That’s guys who have been there and done it. Over the past couple of years, we’ve had kids who were just coming out of college and they were good soccer players, but when you get to the playoffs against a Louisville or against an Indy you need experience. So, I think that’s a good thing that Bob has recruited a lot of guys with experience.”