Pittsburgh native and former Riverhounds midfielder Robbie Mertz returns to team

Robbie Mertz once again will suit up and play for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

The Hounds announced Wednesday that the midfielder, Pittsburgh native, and Upper St. Clair graduate is returning through a transfer agreement with Atlanta United II.

The transfer must meet USL and U.S. Soccer Federation approval before it is finalized, but Mertz is eligible to play at Hartford Athletic on Saturday and at home against FC Tulsa at Highmark Stadium on July 30.

“I’m grateful to the club. They graciously allowed me to pursue the opportunity in Atlanta, and while I didn’t reach my goal of making it to the MLS team, I learned some things down there as a person and as a leader with Atlanta United II,” Mertz said.

“When I was given the opportunity to leave Atlanta, I just felt there was some unfinished business back in Pittsburgh. I have a lot of friends, fans, people in Pittsburgh, and I felt some loyalty to the club. Sometimes in this game, it’s too much of a business, and people forget the humanity of it. It’s good to be back around my friends and family, and we’re going to pursue a championship really hard.”

Mertz, 25, spent a year and a half with Atlanta after signing with the club as a free agent before the 2021 season.

In 48 matches with Atlanta, Mertz scored four goals and added 11 assists. He led the team with five assists last season and already has six in 2022, good for a tie for fourth in the USL Championship.

The Michigan graduate joins new teammates Kenardo Forbes (seven assists) and Alex Dixon (six) who also rank in the top five in the league.

Mertz was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the fourth round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

He came to the Riverhounds upon his release by the Rapids and enjoyed a pair of productive seasons in Pittsburgh. He had six goals and four assists as a rookie in 2019 as the team won the Eastern Conference.

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Mertz helped Pittsburgh again reach the playoffs with five goals and four assists in 16 games.

“Robbie was a very important player for us during the 2019 and 2020 seasons and has continued to develop into one of the more versatile and complete midfielders in the league,” coach Bob Lilley said.

“He’s competitive, technically gifted and understands our system. His energy and ideas make him dangerous in attacking moments, and we are excited to have him back with the team representing the Steel City.”