Hounds sign another former USL title winning Rhino, Christian Volesky

The Riverhounds SC want more goals this season.

They want to win a championship.

So, why not pick up a player that has been a consistent goal scorer in the USL, has played under current Hounds coach Bob Lilley, helping win a league title in 2015 with the Rochester Rhinos and has played with two other key players that will likely feature in the team’s attack this season?

That’s exactly what the Hounds announced on Thursday, as forward Christian Volesky has been signed to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2020 season, pending USL Championship and USSF approval.

Volesky, 26, arrives in Pittsburgh after splitting time between Saint Louis FC and Oklahoma City Energy FC in 2018, as he was traded to Energy FC at mid season.

Before arriving at Saint Louis in 2017, the striker previously played under head coach Bob Lilley with the Rochester Rhinos from 2015-16, including the squad’s 2015 USL Cup championship campaign in which he led the team with 19 points.

“Christian has exceptional movement, great pace and knows how to get behind defenses,” Lilley said. “He’s always active in attacking areas and knows how to score goals. We feel his best soccer is still in front of him.”

Before being traded to Energy FC, Volesky scored one goal in seven games for Saint Louis FC in 2018. Arriving in Oklahoma City on May 8, 2018, he then totaled nine goals in 22 appearances to finish the campaign. During the 2017 season, playing solely for Saint Louis, he finished second on the club with eight tallies.

Volesky’s had some success in Highmark Stadium as well, scoring the game winner in Saint Louis FC’s 2-1 win over the Hounds in April 2017.

.@CVolesky9 scores his 3rd goal of the season with this sweet touch to put @SaintLouisFC ahead 2-1. #PGHvSTL pic.twitter.com/p8679xyDoV

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 13, 2017

The Henderson, Nevada native began his USL Championship career with the Rhinos in 2015, when he tied for the team lead with eight goals in 26 games played. He followed up this season with another stellar campaign, leading the club with 10 goals and 23 points.

During his four-year career at the USL Championship level, Volesky has totaled 115 games played, 36 goals and 81 points. He has never recorded less than eight goals or 18 points in a single campaign.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville product was drafted by the Portland Timbers in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft during the second round with the 32nd overall selection. He did not sign with the Timbers.

Volesky reunites with Kenardo Forbes and Steevan Dos Santos, who are also both members of the 2015 Rochester Rhinos USL Cup team. Riverhounds SC now has 14 players under contract heading into the 2019 season.

Roster breakdown for 2019 season

Forwards (3): Neco Brett, Steevan Dos Santos, Christian Volesky

Midfielders (6): Mouhamed Dabo, Kenardo Forbes, Noah Franke, Kevin Kerr, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Anthony Velarde

Defenders (4): Tobi Adewole, Jordan Dover, Joe Greenspan, Ryan James

Goalkeepers (1): Kyle Morton