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Pittsburgh City United FC set to name Scottish soccer icon Barry Smith as coach

Barry Smith is a member of Dundee FC Hall of Fame and has coached numerous clubs in Scotland. Photo Courtesy Alloa Athletic FC

Pittsburgh Soccer Now has learned that Pittsburgh City United FC, a new club which will be playing in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), making their debut this Fall, will be hiring former Scottish soccer standout Barry Smith to lead the team in its inaugural season.

Smith is most known for his center back and midfielder roles for Celtic, Dundee, Valur, Partick Thistle, Greenock Morton and Brechin City. Smith was admitted into Dundee’s Hall of Fame having made 400 appearances for the club.  After retiring, Smith has since held manager roles with Dundee and a number of other teams.

At the helm of Dundee, Smith led the team to a club record 23-game unbeaten streak in the league. He has since managed Alloa Athletic, Aldershot Town, East Fife, Raith Rovers and Brechin City.

We have also learned that the gaffer is involved — virtually — with the club’s private tryouts for players being held this weekend.

Pittsburgh City United FC is the new soccer franchise in Pittsburgh, PA, playing in the Premier Division of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) The team is set to debut in the Fall Season of this year. The organization has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association in a charity-focused approach specifically on supporting the Alzheimer’s Association through community outreach and fundraising.

Driven by cause-related initiatives Pittsburgh City United FC introduced as newest UPSL club

Pittsburgh City’s owner Michael Monsour told Pittsburgh Soccer Now last week that his has high aspirations for his club — as bringing in Smith will also be followed by announcements of player signings — many who will have experience playing in leagues abroad — mostly in Europe.

Last week, PCUFC formally announced that they have agreed to initial terms with Rome based player scout and agent Nicola Martini to join the team in the role of Director of Scouting.

Martini started his career playing for the AS Roma Academy among other teams and working his way to his current position as a scout intermediary for multiple agencies throughout Europe. Nicola Martini began his career as an intermediary with the acquisition and transfer of Davide Petrucci from Turkey to Ascoli Calcio and Federico Maccheda to Novara Calcio. His most recent responsibility includes facilitating in the transfer of AS Roma’s newest player, Bryan Reynolds, a USA National Team player from FC Dallas.

“As an organization dedicated to making a difference on and off the field, it is important that we provide our incoming players an environment to grow, not only as genuine human beings, but as players as well. This acquisition provides the opportunity for our players to have the necessary exposure to European clubs that their talent deserves. Nicola Martini provides a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest levels of European football that will help both our young players and veterans improve from the moment they choose to represent the Pittsburgh City United FC crest. We are taking the potential success of this upcoming season and the 2022 US Open Cup very seriously and we hope this is a first step to proving just that.” –   Michael Anton Monsour Owner, PCUFC

  “I am very excited to be a part of Pittsburgh City United FC and its promising future. I look forward to adding my experience to the team and working alongside Michael in order to grow the team and fulfill its mission. This team is different from any other team that I have worked with and I can’t wait to be in Pittsburgh to start being of service to the club!” – Nicola Martini

Look for more from Mansour as we will have an exclusive in-depth interview with the owner of Pittsburgh’s newest soccer team coming this week.

 

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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