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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

After three solid seasons in Pittsburgh, Danny Griffin will not return to Riverhounds

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

It’s been a good news, bad news day for Pittsburgh soccer fans.

Less than an hour after the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC announced the return of all-time assists leader and long-running team captain Kenardo Forbes for a sixth season, another player who has been a mainstay in the midfield, Danny Griffin announced that he is not going to be returning to Pittsburgh in 2023, after three seasons with the club.

Griffin made his announcement on Instagram.

Playing mostly in the holding midfield spot, Griffin led the team in minutes and games played in the past three seasons.

Riverhounds SC midfielder, ironman Danny Griffin on Pittsburgh Sports Live

The former Providence Friars standout became more than a fixture for the Hounds, he’s become one of the team’s leaders and a part of one of the best midfields in the league.

Griffin did have a chance to get some looks from MLS ahead of last season, but ultimately ended up back in Pittsburgh, but signed on for an unique one-year deal without a club option year.

In 2023, Griffin showed his ability to be a solid box-to-box midfielder with remarkable durability (starting and playing in every match last season for a single-season record in club history).

The Hounds will be bringing back Marc Ybarra, Kenardo Forbes and Robbie Mertz, so the central midfiled remains one of the club’s strong suits, but Head Coach Bob Lilley will certainly be in the market to find another player or two who could fill in the number six role in 2023.

 

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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