Hounds sign Casey Bartlett-Scott

Photo courtesy Columbia College

On Thursday, the Riverhounds SC  announced the signing Casey Bartlett-Scott, who most recently played for NAIA school, Columbia College (MO), leading the Cougars to the NAIA National Semifinals in 2019 and also played with the Erie Commodores of the NPSL.

👀 https://t.co/2MzZ3QBO9b

— John Krysinsky (@JohnKrysinsky) March 15, 2021

In fact, Riverhounds SC head coach Bob Lilley’s had Bartlett-Scott on his radar since the Hounds defeated the Erie Commodores in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup second round.

Hounds escape Erie with elusive Open Cup win over pesky Commodores

The Hounds signed defender Bartlett-Scott to a deal for the 2021 USL Championship season with a club option for 2022, pending USL and USSF approval.

Bartlett-Scott, 26, a native of Portsmouth, England, is joining the Hounds on his first professional deal and returning to the U.S., where he was an NAIA All-American at Columbia College (Mo.).

“Casey is a left-footed defender who is quite good in 1-v-1 matchups. He will bring pace and intensity to our group of defenders, and we are looking forward to working with him during the 2021 USL Championship season,” Lilley said.

Bartlett-Scott was twice named a first-team All-American Midwest Conference selection before earning first-team All-America honors as a senior in 2019. That season, Bartlett-Scott started all 24 games, posting two goals and four assists, as Columbia College went 23-1, losing for the only time in the NAIA semifinals to Hastings College.

During his time as an amateur in the U.S., Bartlett-Scott also appeared for the Saint Louis FC U-23s in addition to his stint with the Commodores.  Most recently, Bartlett-Scott was playing in his native England for Fareham Town, an amateur club in the Wessex League in the lower divisions of English football.

The signing brings the number of players under contract for the 2021 season to 18. Players are slated to begin reporting to Pittsburgh next weekend for the beginning of preseason.  See below for the full Riverhounds SC roster and Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s projected team depth chart.

From the ninth tier of England to the second tier in the States.

LET'S GET IT, CASEY! https://t.co/Yh4gTwiKPp

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) March 18, 2021

Takeaways from Bartlett-Scott signing

Coaches are always keeping their eyes out for talent. In this case, Bartlett-Scott had previously showed his defensive prowess in an Open Cup match against the Hounds, as the Commodores didn’t make things easy in that game.

The Riverhounds would love to build a roster mix at every position with veterans and promising young players. Bartlett-Scott could be asked to play alongside some veteran players. At 5-foot-11, he might be considered undersized as a center back, but Lilley could be looking for him to challenge for playing time in the same role as Thomas Vancaeyezeele, as a savvy, versatile defender who was very good with the ball at his feet and making decisions.

The Hounds still have more work to do and based on Lilley’s comments earlier this week, they’re still looking to sign a few more center backs.

With Alex DeJohn not part of the equation right now, this could provide an opportunity for Bartlett-Scott to make a positive impression once camp starts next week to see if he could become an impact player on the back line.

Riverhounds SC 2021 Roster & Depth Chart 

	FORWARDS
F1	Russell Cicerone (M)
F2	Albert Dikwa
F3	Alex Dixon (M)
F4	Tommy Williamson
F5	Wyatt Borso
F6	Josh Gatt (out for season)
	M- also have played in midfield
	MIDFIELDERS
MF1	Kenardo Forbes (F)
MF2	Danny Griffin
MF3	Todd Wharton (D/OB)
MF4	Anthony Velarde (F)
MF5	Louis Perez (F)
	F- also played at forward
	D- also played as defender
	OB- also played as outside back
	WINGERS/OUTSIDE BACKS
OB1	Dani Rovira (M)
OB2	Ezra Armstrong
OB3	Jordan Dover (injury)
	(M) also played midfield
	CENTER BACKS
CB1	Shane Wiedt
CB2	Mekeil Williams
CB3	Preston Kilwien (OB)
CB4	Jalen Robinson
CB5	Jelani Peters
CB6	Tom Judge
CB7	Casey Bartlett-Scott
	OB- also played at outside back
	GOALKEEPERS
GK1	Danny Vitiello
GK2	Jake Leeker
GK3	Chris Morrish