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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Forbes, Cicerone and former Hound Robbie Mertz earn USL Championship Team of the Week honors

Former Riverhounds SC midfielder and Pittsburgh area native, Robbie Mertz, picked up USL Championship Team of the Week honors for week 17.

In addition, fresh off their 3-0 win on Friday at NY Red Bulls II, the Hounds also landed a few weekly honors for the first time in a while, as Kenardo Forbes was named to the Team of the Week, while Russell Cicerone was on the bench.

Mertz recorded both assists on Tristan Trager’s goals against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night and completed 31 of 32 passes while winning 7 of 10 duels in the 2-2 draw at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Forbes became the first player to reach 50 regular season assists in the USL Championship’s history and played a role in the Hounds’ second goal as well while making five interceptions and seven recoveries in Pittsburgh’s 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.

Cicerone earned his spot on the bench for a two-goal performance that catapulted him into the team lead for goals (with seven).  At the halfway point in the season, Cicerone is back on track and appears to be primed to make a run at coming close to last year’s career high and team leading 16-goal output.

Atlanta United 2 forward Tristan Trager voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after bagging a pair of goals in each of Atlanta’s outings during the week as the side claimed four points out of six.

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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