Mainstay in Midfield Returns; Hounds re-sign Danny Griffin

Wasting no time to begin the New Year on a positive note, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has re-signed free agent midfielder Danny Griffin for the 2022 season, pending USL and U.S. Soccer Federation approval of the contract.

Griffin, 23, will be back for his third year with the Hounds after establishing himself as a mainstay in the center of the field for the club.

During the 2021 season, Griffin shared his thoughts about his durablity and his first two seasons as a professional in Pittsburgh with Pittsburgh Soccer Now.

“I am grateful for my time here in Pittsburgh,” Griffin said in September. “This has always been a team that guys around the league respect, and have been on top in recent years. Coach Lilley has set high standards. I’ve just been excited to be in this environment the past couple of years. We have a high standard. It’s been awesome for me. It’s been a great experience.”

Through the rigors of the long season, Griffin found a way to stay healthy in 2021.

“I am staying on top of it, treatments every day.  Cold tubs everyday,” Griffin quipped.  “Doing what I have to do to take care of my body,”

Over the past two seasons, Griffin is the only player to appear in all 49 games for the Hounds, starting 46 of those. The Connecticut native’s 2,868 minutes played in 2021 was more than 200 more than any other Hounds player, as he started all 32 matches and played the complete game in 31.

“Danny is a versatile midfielder who gets better every time he steps on the field,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “His mentality and growth as a player has been integral in our success these past two seasons, and he continues to emerge as a leader for our group. We are excited to welcome back Danny for the 2022 USL season.”

The third-year pro was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the second round (49th overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of Providence, but he went unsigned out of camp. He then joined the Hounds during their 2020 preseason and signed his first pro deal on March 3, 2020.

With the Hounds, Griffin has established himself as an energetic, box-to-box player. He has four goals and three assists, including scoring in just his second professional game against Philadelphia Union II, and also has racked up 83 tackles and 69 interceptions in his holding midfield role.

Thrilled and blessed to be back in the steel city🖤💛 Absolutely buzzing to get started! Vamos por mas🙏🏻 #Unleash #Hounds @RiverhoundsSC @SteelArmy https://t.co/w3K9dFAVwU

— Danny Griffin (@DannyGriffin04) January 3, 2022

 

By re-signing Griffin as a free agent, the Hounds add to their returning core of players from 2021 that carried the team to a 17-8-7 record.

Back to the Drawing Board: A New Year to bring more Riverhounds SC player signings

He is the 10th returning player announced under contract for 2022 with more signings soon to be finalized and announced.

 

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RIVERHOUNDS SC 2022 ROSTER (as of 1/3/2022) 

Player	Primary position(s)	2021 Club	Contract Status
Kenardo Forbes	central/attacking MF	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Russell Cicerone	winger / forward	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Alex Dixon	winger / forward	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Shane Weidt	center back	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Mekeil Williams	center back	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Jelani Peters	center back	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Todd Wharton	central MF	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Ezra Armstrong	outside back / winger	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Dani Rovira	outside back / winger	Riverhounds SC	club picked up one-yr option for 2022
Danny Griffin	central MF	Riverhounds SC	Signed one-yr deal w/club w/ club option for 2023