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Riverhounds SC sign goalkeeper Jake Leeker

From Riverhounds SC report

Riverhounds SC has signed goalkeeper Jake Leeker to a one-year contract with a club option for 2022, pending USL and USSF approval. Leeker, 25, comes to the Hounds for his fourth pro season after debuting in the USL Championship in 2018 with Real Monarchs and spending the past two seasons with Portland Timbers II.

“We look forward to bringing Jake into our team for the 2021 USL Championship season. He is a very capable shot-stopper with athleticism and length that we feel will grow in our system,” Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley said.

“Along with Danny Vitiello and Chris Moorish, our goalkeeping group is young and talented and will continue to develop during the course of the season.”

A native of St. Louis, Leeker played his college soccer at the University of Memphis, where he recorded ten shutouts in his 47 matches for the Tigers from 2014-17.  Undrafted out of college, he signed with Real Monarchs as a free agent and had a successful rookie campaign with six shutouts in 17 starts, as he split time in net and helped the Utah club to fourth place in the Western Conference and a playoff berth.

Leeker then made the move to Portland, where he was a teammate for one season of newly acquired Hounds midfielder Todd Wharton. During his two years in the Pacific Northwest, Leeker made 25 appearances, recorded two shutouts, and made 90 saves for a Timbers 2 side that missed the playoffs both years and especially struggled defensively in 2020. In addition to his USL experience, Leeker has a big asset in his size at 6-foot-5, which makes him the tallest player on the Hounds’ roster currently.

Riverhounds Roster and Depth Chart (2021 Season) 

  
FORWARDS
F1Russell Cicerone (M)
F2Albert Dikwa
F3Alex Dixon (M)
F4Tommy Williamson
F5Wyatt Borso
F6Josh Gatt (out for season)
M- also have played in midfield
MIDFIELDERS
MF1Kenardo Forbes (F)
MF2Danny Griffin
MF3Todd Wharton (D/OB)
MF4Anthony Velarde (F)
MF5Louis Perez (F)
F- also played at forward
D- also played as defender
OB- also played as outside back
WINGERS/OUTSIDE BACKS
OB1Dani Rovira (M)
OB2Ezra Armstrong
OB3Jordan Dover (injury)
(M) also played midfield
CENTER BACKS
CB1 Shane Wiedt
CB2Mekeil Williams
CB3Preston Kilwien (OB)
CB4Jalen Robinson
CB5Jelani Peters
CB6Tom Judge
CB7Casey Bartlett-Scott
OB- also played at outside back
GOALKEEPERS
GK1Danny Vitiello
GK2Jake Leeker
GK3Chris Morrish

 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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