Hertzog signs with Saint Louis FC, reunites with Pulis

Saint Louis FC is now making a habit of signing former Riverhounds leading scorers.

Last season, it was Jose Angulo.
For this coming year, it’s Corey Hertzog.
STLFC announced the signing of three-time USL All-League selection Hertzog for the 2018 season. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

Can’t wait for 2018 with @SaintLouisFC and scoring goals in front of @StLouligans and cheering in the corner the right way!! Who wants a #stlouisleap into the stands?! ???? ⚽️ https://t.co/VJIGbZDKEC

— Corey Hertzog (@Hertzog_Corey) December 11, 2017

Here in Pittsburgh, 27-year old Hertzog recorded 27 goals over the past two seasons for the Riverhounds, earning USL All-League Second Team honors both years, including this goal against Saint Louis FC in August.

“Once I heard Coach [Anthony Pulis] was getting the job at Saint Louis FC, it was a no brainer to join the club,” said Hertzog. “I played against him and with him as a player – and played against him as a coach – so I’m more than excited to join his team and score some goals for the great fans in St. Louis.”

After the season ended in mid-October, the Riverhounds were forced to hire a new head coach, Bob Lilley, after Dave Brandt was ruled to be ineligible without a USSF ‘A’ license.
Lilley and the Hounds announced that they were declining options for all returning players, opting to restructure contracts.
Despite being the Hounds leading goal scorer in 2016 and 2017, the Hounds announced the signing of three returning players last week, including forwards Romeo Parkes and Kay Banjo along with Tobi Adewole. Another forward, Chevy Walsh, was already signed through 2018.
Selected in the First Round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls, Hertzog has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Orlando City SC, where he played alongside current STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis and helped the Lions earn the 2014 USL Regular Season Championship. Hertzog has scored 40 goals in his USL career, having surpassed 100 appearances in the league for his career at the end of the 2017 season.

“I’m absolutely delighted to sign Corey as he is proven to be one of the most dangerous forwards in league,” said Pulis, through the team’s statement on Monday. “He is very good technically, but more importantly, he is a good kid off the field that will fit well in the culture we are building here.”

Prior to his professional career, Hertzog featured for Reading United AC in the PDL and for Penn State University, where he led NCAA Division I in goals in the 2010 season and was named to the NSCAA All-America Second Team.
The Hounds are expected to announce the signings of more returning players, and based on my in-depth conversation with Lilley in late November, free agent signings, including some of his former players from Rochester in the coming weeks.