Pittsburgh Soccer’s 2023 Oral History (Part II): A year filled with unprecedented milestones

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

Before we move forward into a new year, it would only be fitting that as we devoted another calendar year of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of the participants, teams and organizations on the forefront of the Pittsburgh soccer scene, we take one more look back at what was a monumental year for the game in the Greater Pittsburgh region.

Pittsburgh soccer fans were treated to a memorable year with major milestones and significant achievements — from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s remarkable regular season which they captured the club’s first-ever USL Championship Players Shield coinciding with a run to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal round to Pitt women’s soccer program taking another step forward into National prominence.

There was so much content that we gathered this season, that we have to break this up into two parts. We’ve already posted Part One — here it is in case you missed it…

Pittsburgh Soccer’s 2023 Oral History (Part I): A year filled with unprecedented milestones

Now, we take a closer look at the events and moments from the second half of the year, from July through December, as told exclusively to the contributors of Pittsburgh Soccer Now.

Also, we thank you for your continued support of our site.  Look for more exclusive content to come, so now would be a great time to become a Pittsburgh Soccer Now subscriber if you haven’t already signed up.

Subscribe

July

‘Tonight, we were poor’ 

“We all have to take responsibility. And do better. We have to play at a higher level. We know that. We’ll keep working on it. Maybe the guys have a different perspective. We had a great start, but we weren’t dangerous.”

“Tonight, we were poor. We had balls in the middle of the box, but no one there. Decision making on ball wasn’t good. Defensively we were fine under pressure. I don’t know if we did enough to win. Can’t have one or two chances a game.” ~Bob Lilley following Riverhounds’ 0-0 draw vs Louisville City FC at Highmark Stadium. 

“We just didn’t play particularly well. We didn’t connect for possession much, and we got pushed off a lot of balls. It seemed like (Louisville) was able to hold on to the ball, and we got pushed around. We were largely ineffective with our movement. We had poor crosses that got cut out and very little movement within the group when we got into the final third.”

‘It’s not a decoy thing. It’s not a forward thing.  Our midfielders are not playing the right balls at times,” Lilley explained how he wasn’t pleased with his entire team’s inability to extend possessions and raid the final third more, but expressed further concern about his midfield, which included Danny Griffin, Kenardo Forbes, Junior Etou and Marc Ybarra in this match.

“That’s the strength of our team, and we’re not controlling the tempo.  They’re not getting in the box. And that includes Kenny, Junior and Danny Griffin and some of our best players. The quality of our crosses need to be better, the movement has to be better. We have to attack the corners. We’re sitting there, waiting for the ball to bounce our way.  We’ve been saying this for a while. We have to do more.”

“Yeah, there were one or two golden moments, but to score consistently, we need to get five, six, seven of those, and seven or so chances on top of that. And we’re getting very few looks, and you’re not going to always capitalize on one or two chances every game.”

‘It’s been an unbelievable season so far’ 

“It’s been an unbelievable season so far. We have most guys back from last year. Coach (Dan) Brower has put us through good training sessions. Has us playing well and getting us ready for each match,” veteran midfielder, and Steel City FC (formerly Pittsburgh Hotspurs FC) Nicky Kolarac told Pittsburgh Soccer Now ahead of the NPSL’s Great Lakes Conference Final vs Cleveland SC.

“It’s been a fun year and the boys are loving it.”

“We have good mix with this group.  We all get along very well,”Kolarac added pointing to the club’s chemistry has grown in recent years.

“We have everyone back from previous years, and that really has helped. Everyone’s more mature.  I don’t think another team in this league goes through sessions like we do. We’re putting in three, four sessions a week.”

“Lot of guys have aspirations to do well with this group, and then their colleges, and possibly go on and play pro. I believe we have quite a few guys that can actually make it if they stick with their work effort, with their touches and staying fit. It’s possible.”

“I’m not going to be quiet anymore” 

“My issues with the federation are my issues, but I’m not going to be quiet anymore,” ~Randy Waldrum stated.

Speaking on another podcast ‘On the Whistle’, Waldrum tasked the Nigeria Football Federation to give an account of the $960,000 FIFA paid the federation for the Falcons preparations for the World Cup.  The 66-year-old stated that the NFF owed him seven months salaries while some of the Falcons players were still owed match bonuses spanning two years, which also led to potential boycott of World Cup match from players, which eventually did not happen.

Lauren Gregg, who has been the assistant coach of the Nigerian women’s national team, spoke exclusively with PSN contributor Rachael Kriger for the The Equalizer about being unable to travel with the team to the World Cup and her own fight with the Nigerian Football Federation.

Weeks before the #FIFAWWC, the Nigeria women’s national team is in turmoil. The story involves two coaches sticking up for their players and their equal rights and pay. Our @RachaelKriger tells it in a subscriber-only #longread.

🔒✍️: https://t.co/DxWco78pzw pic.twitter.com/DJL82qjZWH

— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) July 8, 2023

Gregg was ousted from her role as Waldrum’s right hand by an ultimatum from the NFF.

Waldrum was in a dispute with the Federation after he made final selections for the 23-player squad, which included two veteran backup goalkeepers: one (Tochukwu Oluehi) who was banned from the team after speaking out about previous concerns at last year’s AFCON tournament. Waldrum cited that it stated in his contract that he would have final say on player selections, as he opted to keep the three goalkeepers he had on the roster through AFCON and the most recent playing windows.  The NFF wanted Waldrum to select a young keeper they felt was highly touted.  Unfortunately, the Federation also canceled Waldrum’s plans to host a training camp that would have taken place prior to player selections.

“It’s not that we have anything against her — we just haven’t worked with her,” Gregg said of the young goalkeeper.

“[The NFF] made a comment in the paper that we have other local players going to the World Cup, but they’ve been at camp,” Gregg told Kriger.

“There isn’t one player on the roster that hasn’t been in camp with us. It would be an aberration to suddenly bring a player to the World Cup that you’ve never had in — even just for chemistry. God forbid, if something happens to the first two goalkeepers, then you need your third goalkeeper. We felt, as did all the coaching staff, that Yewande (Balogun) was our best pick at the time.”

“Because I’m willing to challenge him, willing to put my opinion out there, willing to speak my mind, it’s seen as threatening,” Gregg said in her interview with Kriger, Gregg spoke more about her experience in assisting Waldrum and coaching the players, and how they had to overcome a lot of adversity, especially in AFCON last year, when playing down to nine players. Gregg stated that the Nigerian Federation used the young goalkeeper as a way to get Gregg off the national team staff. She alleged that the retaliation all comes back to Nigeria’s loss at WAFCON.

“They don’t understand that Randy is fully capable and will filter any advice from me or anyone else and make his own decisions. He’s his own man, he’s his own coach, but I have an obligation to point out whatever I can to make us better. And I will continue to do that, in this role, for the betterment of the team. That’s important background to this. It didn’t come out of the blue. They were looking for someone to blame for not being as successful as they thought we should have been.”

“We had qualified for the World Cup, which was our goal,” Gregg continued. “It is harder and harder each cycle to do that. It should have been celebrated … The critical dialogue is what helps us grow — how we, as a staff, can get better, and how the NFF can get better — but that didn’t happen. We wanted to work with them to ensure we, Nigeria, remained the dominant country in Africa and ultimately a World Cup contender.”

Furthermore, when Waldrum spoke out, Gregg (and Waldrum) said the retaliation also came in the form of punishing players who have benefited from Gregg’s coaching and expertise.

“We never exposed the federation, never undermined them, even when we show up 24 hours before a game in Japan,” Gregg added in the exclusive interview.  “We … tried to keep it between us and them. But it’s crossed a line where it’s retaliatory.”

A few days after the podcast aired, as Waldrum had made his way to Australia, when following up on a post-interview message, the straight-shooter from Texas remained steadfast.

“It’s part of fighting for what is right and for your players to be treated with professionalism and respect,” Waldrum said.

“We will see where it all goes.”

‘This is what happens when you bring all the talent in Pittsburgh together’ 

“It’s a big, big night for the club.  It takes more than the 18 that were on the pitch, but they were phenomenal,” ~ Dan Brower, Steel City FC Head Coach said following his club’s 2-0 Great Lakes Conference Championship clinching win at Founders Field.

“We have a wide range of talent, and age groups, with players from 16, 17 years old, to 33 years old. It’s a major accomplishment for our club to be able to win the conference.”

“We wanted to put them on their back foot from the start,” ~Gabe Norris, a rising junior at Robert Morris, added.

“Having a veteran like Nicky (Kolarac) to kind of notice, when they drop off, and we can start building, playing the way we want to play. As a young guy, I am listening to everything Nicky says. Having a captain on the field with that kind of experience is huge,” Norris added as it felt as if it would be a matter of time for Steel City which kept bringing pressure with veteran Kolarac leading the attack.

When the opportunity came, Norris smashed his one-time shot into the back of the net, setting off a celebration as he ran to the near side corner flag.

“I knew that the late run would finish it off,” Norris explained.

“I am a pretty defensive (holding midfielder) six.  I saw Nicky kind of jogging, and maybe I thought I could give him a break on this one because I knew I could get there. I looked at him, and he said get on your horse. I started going 100. Ran off the back shoulder to beat my defender and find out if I could seek the ball out, and I got lucky enough to get a foot on it.”

Ryan Landry’s header in the second half capped the victory.

“I keep saying, this is what happens when you bring all the talent in Pittsburgh together,” Norris exclaimed.

‘We appreciate the support’ 

“Keep supporting us. We appreciate the support. All of the messages I’ve gotten from Nigeria. And the Nigerians here in Australia, they were really great,” ~ Randy Waldrum told Pittsburgh Soccer Now following Nigeria’s FIFA Women’s World Cup opening draw versus highly ranked Canada. In that match, incoming Pitt freshman midfielder, Deborah Abiodoun made her WWC debut, but was sent off late in the match for a second yellow card following a dangerous tackle attempt.

“Just keep sending positive vibes to this team, because we’re in this all together.”

‘Gene was a special guy’

“Heartbreaking news. Gene Klein was a Pittsburgh soccer icon, and was an even better person. Extending my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those in our community who Gene touched — and there were many.” ~ John Krysinsky, Pittsburgh Soccer Now, following the passing of Gene Klein, following his battle incurable brain cancer — glioblastoma.

Memorial tributes pour in from Pittsburgh soccer community for Gene Klein, Riverhounds, WPIAL Hall of Famer

“The entire Riverhounds organization sends its condolences and best wishes to Gene’s wife, Anne, and all of his surviving family and loved ones.” ~ Riverhounds SC Club Statement.

“Gene was a special guy,” ~ Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley, also a Pennsylvania native who met Klein in the late 1990s when coming to Pittsburgh to help with youth clinics in Sewickley, stated last Wednesday.

“I always saw Gene as a big part of what they did here in Pittsburgh. Not only for all the hats he wore and how many lives he touched.  You’re not going to find anyone here who wasn’t touched by Gene in some way. What he did to start the (Riverhounds Development) Academy, he was a big influence.  John Rotz and Scotty Gibson, he brought them in 12 years ago. He put them on these projects, and said ‘let’s get the academy started’. All these building blocks that were here.  That’s the foundation which I walked into when I got here (in 2018).  A lot of those things, Gene played a big part. First as part of the coaching staff, then as General Manager (and Technical Director).  He was always supportive from the time I got here, and would always check in and if there was ever anything we needed, he was there.”

‘When it bounces your way, you can get away with it. When it’s not bouncing your way, you don’t get away with it’

“In the 13 (game unbeaten streak) we underperformed in some of those games. We’ve talked about it right up here (in press conferences). Things we know we had to fix,” Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley explained following his team’s second straight humbling loss, this time on home turf, to Indy Eleven, following a 3-1 loss at Charleston the previous week.

After the Indy loss, Lilley resorted to keeping his players on the field as he had a had a lot to get off his chest to pick apart his team’s failures while they were fresh on everyone’s mind — especially his. Following his talk with the team and a pit stop with team officials, he made his way over to meet with the media

“When it bounces your way, you can get away with it. When it’s not bouncing your way, you don’t get away with it.”

“We’ve had a lot of shutouts recently, Now, we give up three goals the other night. Three goals tonight. It caught us.  We were not able to change the momentum of the game, the energy.  I am disappointed we didn’t get in their face at that moment.We had good enough group out there.  We’ve overcome injuries all season, so that’s no excuse,” Lilley stated in response to the Hounds having three of the team’s center backs (Illal Osumanu, Nate Dossantos and Mike DeShields) not in the 18 due to injuries.

We have to start games better,” Lilley added. “I said that after the Charleston (3-1 loss) game too. It’s not like us. “You know, I would like to think that, especially at home, that our response would be more emphatic to them scoring. After they scored, we didn’t create a lot. We created very, very little in the first half, until the very end. I don’t think we responded well to that. Look, a goal happens. Lets get on with it. Get pressure. Do the things we talked about before the game.”

“You can go back to the beginning of the year, and we talked about this. We’re not getting enough balls across the line. It has to get better.”

“For me, the second half was better.  Was a little disappointing that 10 minutes in, we had a great start, but they start stringing together a few passes, and we back off. Then the clock is running and the clock is running. I would have liked to have seen them sustain it. I am struggling with the fact that we can create chances, but the minute something doesn’t go our way, we’re backing off.”

“We’re giving a lot of respect. We’re not winning a lot of balls and we’re doing a lot of chasing because our pressure is not together.  It’s something we’ve talked about.”

‘They are still singing and dancing in there’ 

“I think they are still singing and dancing in there (the dressing room) now, I can’t get in there to get in a word! So many people didn’t believe in them, didn’t believe in me,” ~Randy Waldrum, said after his Nigerian Super Falcons pulled off the upset of the Women’s World Cup to that point, defeating host Australia, 3-2, in an exhilarating match that needed 11 minutes of stoppage time to play out. 

Randy Waldrum shutting up a few football Einsteins with these results. pic.twitter.com/Mk5pFioJir

— Tayo Salaam (@TY_Slajam) July 27, 2023

‘They never gave up. But they continued to believe’ 

“We could have won the match and so it almost seems disappointing that we didn’t get the three points,” ~Randy Waldrum said after the match Nigeria pushed for the go-ahead goal, especially in the second half after Ireland played on the front foot in the first 45 minutes. Still, the Super Falcons advanced to the Women’s World Cup knockout round with the result.

“Two years ago when we started this journey, so many things went well, So many things didn’t go well. But they never gave up. But they continued to believe.  I don’t think that anybody, before we got here thought we’d get out of this group, and go through it without losing a match. I am so proud of them, for the effort that they put in. That they can get to experience this and move on to the next round.

‘This is such a storied franchise’ 

“It’s amazing. This is such a storied franchise. So many great players have walked through these halls and walked on this pitch and worn our colors. Just to get one small goal that happened to be the thousandth is truly amazing.” ~ Joe Farrell, following scoring the Riverhounds SC franchise’s 1000th goal in 4-2 win on July 29 before yet another sellout crowd at Highmark Stadium.

“What was great about it was not only was it the 1,000th goal in Riverhounds history,” Farrell stated after the match.  “But it was in front of 30 of my family members.”

The Joe Farrell Army is out in force.#Houndtahn @pghsoccernow pic.twitter.com/Pz6f4FmUkc

— Soccer Rabbi (@soccer_rabbi) July 29, 2023

August 

‘It’s All About Communication’ 

“It’s all about communication,” ~ Albert Dikwa said after scoring the lone goal in the Riverhounds 1-0 win vs Tampa Bay which helped the club build its first-place lead in the Eastern Conference. Dikwa was all about giving credit to the teamwork that led to the goal.

“We have been training together for a long time. I always tell Tola that we have to be moving inside the box. He made a good run. I waited for his movement and went to the opposite side. He gave me a good pass, and I just tried to hit the target. Luckily, I found the goal.”

“The crowd helped, they brought a lot of energy,” ~ Bob Lilley added in reference to the 5,490 patrons that witnessed Pittsburgh improve its overall home record in league play to 9-3-1.

“You have to decide if you want to play with fire or not. All the talk will be we can’t have a let down. If you want to win the East, finish on top of standings, you can’t give points away. Sometimes I remind the guys how many points we gave away this year. You can’t get caught up in talk.  Our guys worked hard. There’s a maturity in our group, and tonight they showed they didn’t want to back off.”

‘I think we made the country proud’

“The players are in tears. It’s a big disappointment to them. We just tried to console them and let them understand it’s part of football,” Waldrum said in the post match press conference following Nigeria’s thrilling exit from the Women’s World Cup in a penalty kick shootout, after taking England to the brink.

“I hope the people in Nigeria hope they appreciate the job that they’ve done. I think we made the country proud.”

“We’ve not lost a game. I’m so proud of them,” Waldrum added.

“There’s such a bright future for this group. The players came together in an unbelievable way for this tournament. I’m so proud of each and every one of them. They played their hearts out.”

‘By far the most talented group of players in my tenure here’ 

“It’s by far the most talented group of players in my tenure here,” Robert Morris’ women’s fourth-year head coach Chris Shaw said of his 2023 squad to PSN’s Matt Popchock, ahead of the squad’s season opener.

“I think our on-field chemistry is really good, and our off-field chemistry has been great as well. All the pieces are in place to have a successful year.”

“We need to have more grit all over the field, offensively and defensively. When we’re right in front of the goal, we need to be on the ball, and then, defensively, doing everything we can,” Kristi Kania said. “My high school coach always used to say, defend for your lives, so that’s what I try to do when I’m back there.”

“The past few years, we’ve conceded too much. We’ve got to be more determined and more resilient in defending. Every game in the Horizon League is a grind and a nail-biter, and it’s just about being a little bit mentally tougher.”

“If you put in the work over the summer, it’ll be just a little bit easier when you come back the fall,” Senior Haliegh Finale said. “That’s what it takes to get this team to where it wants to be. Everyone needs to put in the work in the off-season.”

“Summer is definitely hard because you have to get in the mindset of training on your own. You don’t have all the other girls around to motivate you. But it seems like, from day one, everyone went out and did what they could in the summer, and we were ready to go. I’m excited to see what this team can do this year.” Kania added.

“It means I’ve been here a while’ 

“It means that I’ve been in Pittsburgh a while,” ~ Riverhounds HC Bob Lilley on winning his 100th match with the club he took over in 2018, a 2-0 win vs Hartford Athletic.

“It’s nice to have some stability here.  I’ve had some other stops as well, but I’ve enjoyed my time here.  I’ve had a lot of good players here, and it’s more for them. As coaches, we don’t actually play the games.  We coach them. Try to get the most of out them. They go out and do the work.  I feel fortunate to have the set up we have here, and the players we have here. And hopefully there’s a few more (wins) while I am here.”

‘It’s a great group of kids and they’re fun to be around’

“They’re a group that takes a lot of pride and responsibility in what they’re doing. Very rarely are we having to pull them in and read them the Riot Act. They know what’s expected of them, they know what the goals are, they know what the standards are. I think we’re in a good spot. The young team that we have has the year of experience and a full spring where we played a lot of games so we’re in a place now where I think we can take the next step.” 

“It’s a great group of kids and they’re fun to be around,” said Duquesne University Women’s Soccer Head Coach Al Alvine.

“The relationship between the coaches and players is really good. It’s a close-knit group which is something you have to have if you want to be successful. You can be talented and athletic but if you don’t have players that want to go out there and play for each other day in and day out, there’s only so far you can go.”

“Obviously, our goal is to win the conference, finish in first place and worst-case scenario, host a playoff game,” concluded Alvine.

“From now on, our goal is going to be to win a conference championship. Easier said than done.”

‘It’s definitely rewarding being back on the field’

“At Pitt, they do it so well. We were in the pool doing water exercises, on the field doing monster walks, a lot of rehabilitation exercises,” ~Pitt’s Chloe Minas explained about the process of coming back from a season ending injury in 2022, and working with Amanda West, the program’s all-time leading goal scorer, who also missed 2023.

“We were in the training room all the time. It was super hard getting back, because you have to build that fitness up again — not just physical fitness, but also mental fitness. We would wake up early to run the Petersen Events Center stairs… It was such a rediscovery process. I have to remember how I play. I can choose how I play now, which is fun. It’s a grind. It’s definitely rewarding being back on the field.”

“I’d be lying if I said that my initial reaction, when I tore my ACL, was ‘OK, here we go, I’m going to tackle this rehab.’ I was in shock for a long time,” West added, but said having Minas with her during the recovery — and later, Ashley Moon, who tore her ACL later in the season — helped her with the rehabilitation process.

“You never think that’s going to happen to you. Then, it does. It was really hard. Having teammates to go through it with you makes it infinitely easier. We were together all day every day. I have all the respect in the world for people who go through injuries. There is so much done that is not seen. We were up every morning at 7 a.m. and we wouldn’t leave for about five hours, just doing rehab. It’s very repetitive. Once you’re at six months, you can run again. At seven months, you can touch a ball again. It’s a really grueling time, but also rewarding.”

“Once you finally reach the finish line, I felt so much stronger,” West continued. “I appreciate every little thing my body could do so much more. There was a time where I couldn’t even stand on my own. Now, I’m back, playing and cutting. I’m extremely thankful and feel a lot stronger.”

‘There is a slight chance I may not let him take charge when he gets back’

“There is a slight chance I may not let him take charge when he gets back,” Pitt Associate Head Coach, Ben Waldrum said with a laugh while his father Randy was at the Women’s World Cup coaching the Nigerian Super Falcons.

“The way we’ve done it here, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable or out of place. He’s missed some games as well. It’s not uncommon for our team or players. We really don’t skip a beat.”

‘Right now, we’re happy with where we’re at’ 

“The guys have been concentrated and focused so far,” ~ Pitt men’s soccer coach Jay Vidovich said on preseason training with a team that had to rebuild a bit after numerous seniors part of 2022 College Cup run have moved on.

“Right now, we’re happy with where we’re at and I think we’re also happy about it because the guys who were here in the spring realized how much more they have to give, the more they have to pick up on and they’ve been good at growing the culture within and that whole process of setting the culture and how we want to play.”

‘If you don’t get that first win the pressure mounts, so to get that off our back early is great’

“I was telling the guys, if you don’t get that first win the pressure mounts, so to get that off our back early is great.” ~ Robert Morris’ new Men’s Soccer Coach Jonathan Potter said after marking his debut with a 5-0 win vs VMI.

“Defending is a team game and scoring is a team game. Today, we did very well in possession too and were able to get several players involved.”

‘We learned a lot about our team’ 

“I think it was a tremendous opportunity to play a traditional rivalry, a derby, in-state clash there, so that was a great test” ~Pitt’s Jay Vidovich told PSN’s Dom Campbell after a 1-1 draw vs Penn State in the team’s season opener. “Great opportunity for us. We learned a lot about our team, what we have to work on, down a man, down a goal, just how we reacted there. They were all great tests for a very young team that we have. Hats off to Penn State who came on in and gave us a good test, a good run.”

‘It was great for our fitness’ 

“We knew it would be tough. We knew it would be challenging. It was great for our fitness,” ~ The Kiski School’s seventh year coach Jonty Loukes said after the match played after one week of preseason training, defeating defending WPIAL Class 3A Champion, Moon, in convincing fashion, 4-0.

“I was, overall happy. “We made a few adjustments in the first half,” Loukes explained.  “And that’s why we broke through.”

‘It ain’t all brains and tactics’

“One of our biggest strengths is our resilience. Last season we continued to build upon the idea that our mentality can win games for us, and it showed in two of our most important matches where we pulled out a result in the later stages of the game.” ~ Carnegie Mellon men’s soccer Senior Josh Baugh in PSN’s Mark Goodman’s feature previewing CMU’s 2023 campaign.

“As a group, we feel that playing with a chip on our shoulder for the full 90 is an integral aspect of our character and team identity.”

The biopsychology major hopes to finish out his CMU career and go on to medical school.

September

‘We got punished’ 

“A great rebound, a good response to the last one (getting beat 4-0 on road to Georgetown).  Probably very hard with how we dominated the game. Our immaturity and naivety, I think we let a couple of goals standing and the same thing, we got punished. They got their chances and they took them very well…conceding those two extra goals was too big of a hole to climb out of.”  ~Pitt Men’s Soccer Head Coach Jay Vidovich, following a rare home loss, 3-1-, to No. 2 Marshall, at Ambrose Urbanic Field, taking positives from his team’s performance, response throughout the game and dealing with injuries as well in difficult moments.

‘It feels like yesterday, I was playing with my Beadling teammates’

“I wasn’t expecting everything to happen so fast. It feels like yesterday, I was playing with my Beadling teammates.  But in the Red Bulls system, it took some getting used to, but I started to ease into it. When I’m on the field, I am going to give you everything I have. I am not going to hold back.  I am going to work harder, and being with Red Bulls, pushed me even more to reach a whole new level,” Tanner Rosborough, former Beadling SC standout from Imperial, PA, who attended West Allegheny elementary and middle schools, who trains and competes with the Red Bulls Academy/NYRBII on an MLSNext Pro contract, in September signed to join the senior team, NY Red Bulls on a MLS Homegrown contract in 2025. Rosborough joined PSN on the Kids on the Pitch podcast shortly after signing the deal.

“Tanner has shown in our Academy why he is so highly regarded, and we cannot be happier to sign him to his first professional contract. His skills as a forward at this point in his career have led him to this opportunity, and we know he will take full advantage of it.” ~ NY Red Bulls Sporting Director Denis Hamlett 

‘That’s the most difficult position for a striker’ 

“Let me tell you, that’s the most difficult position for a striker, that one versus one. You have a thousand shots in your head. I was just trying to control myself there and make a good decision, make eye contact with the keeper, fake him and put it in.” ~ Albert Dikwa on his second goal of the night, ending with a 1v1 moments vs LUFC keeper Dane Jacomen, to lead the Riverhounds to a 3-1 win vs Loudoun United FC.

“Our energy was poor right from the gate … and we talk about this ad nauseam. There’s cues that I know if we’re ready to go. We were strolling around out there and they were happy they weren’t getting smashed by multiple goals. Yeah, I let the guys know, that it was good that we won the game, but it was one of our poorer performances. It’s disappointing. I don’t think we should be playing with fire right now. We need to do our jobs better. It was a great crowd. Nice weather. I think we should be holding ourselves to a higher standard.” ~ Bob Lilley, despite the win, being at the top-of-the-table and holding Championship aspirations, believed that his group still hadn’t reach another level, and they didn’t show it in their latest win.

‘We’re a really resilient group’ 

“We’re a really resilient group. As [Coach Brooks] told us, if there’s any team in the country that can come back from playing down a man, we were resilient enough to do it. We all believed in each other, and ultimately, it came down to us.” ~Duquesne’s Jayden Da, following the Dukes’ ‘Cross-Tahn’ Derby win vs Robert Morris, playing down to 10 men.

“In a game like this, against a cross-town rival, you’ve got to be absolutely certain there’s intent, and to me, there was no intent. A player who’s closing down space slips, and, I get it, but, have a conversation, and let’s try to keep eleven on the field. I give our guys credit. They battled through the adversity, they did what we asked them to do, and I give them all the credit in the world.” ~ Duquesne Men’s Soccer Head Coach Chase Brooks.

“I thought we weathered the storm early, and then we really found our way in the middle of the first half. We didn’t need to change a bunch of stuff, even with a guy going off. We just couldn’t create that important first goal. It’s extremely disappointing to lose a game where we thought we were in control of the match. Tonight just wasn’t our night.” ~ Robert Morris’ Head Coach Jonathan Potter.

‘A collective effort’ 

“A collective effort. Down and out, to injury and card issues we were down five, six starters. So to see the young men step up and doing their job the way they did. They dug in and put in the work just means that I’m so happy for the guys. I thought they had a good performance. New guys coming in and making an impact for us.” ~ Pitt HC Jay Vidovich, following Pitt’s 3-1 win vs No. 19 Denver, bouncing back after a previous loss on the road to Syracuse.  

“I love the team, I love the environment. It’s just a great environment to be and I believe we have a lot to reach this year. So hopefully we can get in the college cup again and win the National Title.” ~ Joao Souza, Pitt midfielder, who scored twice in the win vs Denver.  

‘Our fans continue to show up consistently crushing every expectation’ 

“Our fans continue to show up consistently crushing every expectation & projection literally re-writing the record books. Tonight is no exception as we’re ready for another top three crowd in Highmark Stadium history. There’s room on the bandwagon, let’s go!!” ~ Riverhounds SC President Jeff Garner, following yet another sellout, on September 23, as the Hounds would average more than 5,000 fans per game for first time in club history in 2023. 

It was a record-breaking season at the gate for the club.

These attendance figures not only are the best during the Highmark Stadium era, which began in 2013, but are the best in the club’s entire history spanning back to 1999.  It was in their inaugural campaign, at Bethel Park Stadium, when the Hounds averaged 4,178 fans per game that has held as the club’s single-season record.  In their first season at Highmark Stadium, they averaged 3,273 fans, and last year (3,934) things turned upward, but few would have imagined a significant jump to over 5,000 fans per game?

October

‘It’s been a good ride’

“We’ve been through a lot these last few years. It’s been a good ride, but there’s always that little edge where we could be much better. That little push to the end. We made it to a Final Four, it’s a great accomplishment, but it’s not enough. We still want more, we still can do more and we will do more. I’ve been here a while, I’ve enjoyed my time, but I’m still not done yet. I’ve still got some things to show, some things to win before I leave.” ~Pitt’s senior midfielder Filip Mirkovic, who became Pitt’s all-time leader in assists in Pitt’s 3-1 win vs Virginia Tech, was also profiled by PSN’s Dom Campbell, and a guest on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast

Mirkovic would also be drafted by Orlando City FC, in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft in December.

‘It was great to get this group together again for another season and win the league’ 

“It was great to get this group together again for another season and win the league. Most of us grew up playing club and high school soccer together 20 years ago, so it’s neat to still be competing together. Since most of the group is married with kids, I’m sure the wives will be happy to have us around to help out a bit more on Sundays now, but I know the guys are already excited at the opportunity to defend the title next season.”

~Andy Kalas, of Tartan Devils Oak Avalon FC, following Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League (GPSL)’s Premier League Cup Final played at Highmark Stadium, with the venerable Tartan Devils once again taking home the title, by defeating  Appalachia Steel FC, 2-0.  Among TDFC’s key contributors in 2023, saw former Riverhounds’ Rob Vincent and Kevin Kerr reunited on the pitch as teammates.

‘Why Not Us’ 

“Our first year we came in, we were hoping to tie, maybe squeeze out a win (against Duke). Now, we’re feeling confident. We know we’re better than these teams. To see the results come is a testament to our hard work and what we’ve done with this program.” ~ Pitt’s fifth year senior, Anna Bout, after beating Duke, and another new program milestone, one that players that include Bout, who came to Pitt along with fellow Canadian, Amanda West, can cherish on one hand, but also now come to expect.

“We shouldn’t let the names on the jersey make us fear anybody. We proved that last year, when we went to Notre Dame, and won there. They know they can play with anybody.  I don’t think some of the teams in the conference are as good as they’ve been.  So, I’ve said to them, ‘Why Not Us’. There’s no reason why we can’t be there in the end, and win the whole thing.  And it starts tonight. We had to come out with a positive approach, and I thought we did that from the opening whistle.” ~ Pitt HC Randy Waldrum, following the win vs Duke.

“It’s a big accomplishment for the guys’ 

“It’s a big accomplishment for the guys. They worked hard all year, and I am proud of them,” ~ Bob Lilley, Riverhounds SC Head Coach said after the match from the jubilant locker room after clinching USL Players Shield by beating Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-0, at Al Lang Stadium.

“They stuck together.  It was not easy. We worked hard since the preseason and never lost sight of our goal. The group responded well.”

‘Wasn’t good enough from us tonight, to be honest, but I think everybody recognizes that’

“Obviously a win would’ve kept the momentum, and that’s what we were looking for, but I think we know what we need to improve for next week,” ~ Riverhounds SC veteran midfielder Robbie Mertz told PSN’s Matt Gajtka after Hounds 0-0 at Detroit City FC to end the regular season.

“It’s one of those games that, regardless of result, maybe we could take something from it, whether it was a loss that we really needed to reset (after) or a draw that wasn’t our best performance, up to our standard. Wasn’t good enough from us tonight, to be honest, but I think everybody recognizes that.”

“Detroit was good. We expected them to be difficult today with the urgency they had to get a result. We defended in our box well. I would’ve liked to have seen us string more passes together, get more chances. We had some good ones, but not many. I thought we were outworked at times. They won a lot of loose balls. … It was a chaotic game and they’re athletic and physical. They had desperation on their side. We probably did well to come out with a draw.” ~ Bob Lilley said after a rather lengthy post-match team talk. 

 

‘I think it’s great for Western PA and the City of Pittsburgh to have this. It’s an important game’

“I think it’s great. A big game where there can be a lot of fan interest in the game. I think it’s great for Western Pa. and the City of Pittsburgh to have this. It’s an important game. They’ve shown their quality, especially the past couple of years and Chase has done a great job with them. They’ve been getting themselves to Tournament play and it’s a tremendous opportunity to play each other.” Pitt HC Jay Vidovich, after his Panthers defeated Duquesne, 2-0, in the annual men’s soccer edition of the ‘City Game’.

‘I am the Golden Boot winner today because of him’ 

“I’ve got to give him all the credit because he’s the one who made me the top striker in this league. I remember four years ago, I wasn’t the same player that I am right now, I think it’s all because of him. Every day after training, we might stay for two hours after everyone has left, I’m just here on the field with Bob and he’s showing me how to make the movement inside the box, how to hold up the play. It wasn’t easy to just do two hours with him but it’s worth it. I am the Golden Boot winner today because of him and I gave him all the credit for that.” ~ Riverhounds forward Albert Dikwa redirects praise to his coach, Bob Lilley and teammates, after winning USL Championship’s Golden Boot for most goals in a season at the conclusion of the regular season.  

I’ve going to say all my teammates to be honest because I know there are guys that I’m always close to and on the same page with like Robbie [Mertz] and Kenny [Kenardo Forbes], so they are the ones that know where I’m going, where to put the ball and what kind of movement I like to do. I think maybe those are the two guys that I feel more connected to but obviously you can say that about all the guys, Dani Rovira gave me some assists, Danny Griffin, Langston Blackstock, Luke Biasi, Mark Ybarra, we are in the same page, that’s why we are we are the first in the league right now.”

‘We weren’t clinical enough when we had our moments’ 

“I’ve been in game long time. We needed to create more chances. Detroit deserves credit. They mucked it up. (There were a) lot of long balls. Lot of collisions. We weren’t clinical enough when we had our moments. Anyone in stands around 60th minute, knew probably one goal would be the difference. One player made a great strike. It went through a lot of bodies. Happens in sports more than you realize. One goal changes everything.”

~ Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley, after a stunning first-round USL Cup playoff loss, 1-0, to Detroit City FC, as a solitary goal from 20 year-old USL Academy product Dominic Gasso was enough to give Detroit the win in a very close game in which the Hounds never really had a clear chance to take the lead. Lilley stated, the way the game had played out it was always likely going to come down to that one chance, the chance that sadly fell to the visitors.

“It’s a great group. Lot of guys will be back. I know when we had our huddle after game. (I) said to guys, keep your head up. It was a great season. We made a great run in the Open Cup. We won the regular season (Players Shield). We did as much as we could expect from them. This team has been a pleasure to coach. Great to see fans out there, getting behind the guys all season long.” 

‘We’re so excited for this team’

“We’re so excited for this team. They have been fantastic all season and definitely deserved to be playing in the postseason,” ”

~ RMU’s Head Coach Chris Shaw said after the Colonials defeated Youngstown State, to clinch a home playoff match in the Horizon League tournament.  A few days later, RMU would host, and defeat Wright State, 4-1, for its first-ever playoff win.

“We had some great individual performances tonight but this was a team win tonight. This whole team contributed to this result. Our bench was amazing with their enthusiasm and cheering. I honestly believe we would not be where we are without their positivity and support from the sideline.”

‘I go after them’ 

“In the first couple of years I was here, we were lucky to score a goal against some top ACC teams, but we’ve grown so much as a program. In that first year, if I could get a few good crosses in when we were playing against UNC or Florida State, that was a good thing,” ~Landy Mertz, Pitt’s senior forward admitted.

When Mertz moves forward in the attack, she’s no longer just hoping to get in a few good crosses a game. As a wide attacking player, Mertz doesn’t have any hesitation when taking on the best defenders on the best teams.

“I go after them,” Mertz stated.

“We all have that mindset now.”

And with that mindset, Mertz added two assists, one coming in Extra Time, to help lead Pitt women’s soccer team to its first-ever ACC Tournament victory and first-ever win vs North Carolina, 2-1, on October 30.

“Our attackers all bring something different, that’s it’s hard for opponents to focus on stopping any one player,” Head Coach Randy Waldrum added.

“That changes everything.  If you look at all the metrics from each of those matches against top teams, we’re always going forward in every match.”

The Panthers would fall to Florida State in the ACC Semifinal, but were just getting started, as the NCAA tournament was looming.

November

‘Utter disappointment’ 

“Utter disappointment,” Pitt men’s head coach Jay Vidovich said following a first-round playoff loss in Extra Time to Louisville in the ACC Tournament.

“I think the result went the wrong way. Hats off to Louisville for getting through and good luck to them moving forward…We left too many goals hanging. Too many chances where we did enter the box, their goalkeeper’s a magnet or we just missed. We created enough chances. The final action just wasn’t good enough.”

‘It’s the Heart these guys showed’ 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“It’s the heart these guys showed, and willingness to execute what the coaches wanted,” Nowin Boys Interim Head Coach Carter Breen said following the 8th Seeded Knights upset of No. 2 seed North Allegheny that went to a penalty kick shootout in the WPIAL Boys Class 4A Final played at Highmark Stadium. The Knights defeated top-seed Seneca Valley, No. 4 Fox Chapel en route to winning its first-ever WPIAL Boys soccer title.

“We came out flying in the second half. In my opinion, we wanted to win, and they (North Allegheny) didn’t want to lose.”

In midst of the celebration, Breen, who played his four years of soccer for Schuchert at Norwin, couldn’t help but think of the one person who put more into the success of the program, but couldn’t be there.

“It’s all Scotty,” Breen exclaimed, referring to Head Coach Scott Schuchert, who was not able to be at the match due to a multiple game suspension due to a red card.  “He works 24/7 for these guys. No one works harder.  Has the passion for the community.  For these kids.  Being a player for him growing up, he taught me so many life lessons I can’t even describe.  How he works so hard, day in and day out.  Obviously we made history here tonight, as the first team in Norwin (boys soccer) history, and all the props go to Scotty and all the coaches. It feels so good to come away with the win.”

Beyond the fitness, skills, tactics and intensity for which Norwin’s players exhibited in this unprecedented WPIAL title run, they never stopped believing.

“Every season’s going to have its ups and downs, but we knew what we were capable of, and we never had any doubt in anyone’s minds that we could do it,” Norwin Senior Owen Christopher said.

“You can’t describe this feeling.  It’s awesome.”

PSN was there for every match of the WPIAL Finals at Highmark Stadium, November 3-5.

The 2023 WPIAL Champions included:

Boys

• Class 4A – Norwin 
• Class 3A – South Fayette 
• Class 2A – South Park 
• Class 1A – Bentworth 

Girls

• Class 4A – Fox Chapel 
• Class 3A – South Fayette
• Class 2A – Avonworth 
• Class 1A – Freedom 

‘One that I’ll remember forever’ 

“Obviously, coming out against a good team like Ohio State, you’re not expecting to score six goals. But we had a job tonight and it was to prove something to everybody and I think we got the job done.” ~ Pitt’s Landy Mertz, following Pitt’s 6-0 NCAA Tournament opening round victory vs Ohio State at Ambrose Urbanic Field on November.  The Panthers would move on to the Second Round to face Arkansas.

The win was especially important for Mertz, who is a fifth year player, playing in her final home match of her Pitt career and having the possibility of her final collegiate game. A native of nearby Upper St. Clair, Pa., Mertz needed 30 tickets for all the family members and friends to see her play and her performance justified their short trip to Ambrose Urbanic Field.

“Definitely not. I think this season, honestly, I’ve struggled to get points in games that I thought that I should have. I come out of games where I thought I should’ve had a goal, or a couple goals, a couple of assists, and I end coming out of the game with nothing. So it’s definitely been a little bit of a frustration for me personally, Randy knows. So tonight, to kind of have some of them fall my way, it definitely feels good and obviously, just any way I can help my team win in a game like this, is important. Now, we’re getting to the point of the season where for me as a fifth year, every game could be my last. To have a big impact in these games is obviously the goal. You want to end on a good note. For me it was my last home game. So, definitely one that I’ll remember forever.”

“I thought we were seeded too low,” Pitt Head Coach Randy Waldrum said following the throbbing of Ohio State.

“I didn’t think it was a good seeding for us, but all season, I mean, my gosh, we started the season No. 14 in the country and we won six games and we dropped out of the top 25. So, it was kind of the norm for the season and why we weren’t getting the respect I felt like we needed to get, you’d have to ask the committee that I guess. But I don’t think our players ever thought about it. We didn’t really talk about it with them as a staff. We just said, “Look. We play who’s in front of us. If we are as good as we think we are, then if it’s Ohio State, it’s Ohio State. We’ll go from there.” So the players just did a good job of just keeping the focus and not letting those things affect them.”

‘We had a very good season’ 

“We had a very good season, and it couldn’t have happened without the effort of our whole coaching staff, Dan Visser and Jon Busch, as well as the tremendous support ownership and the front office provided to allow us to build a winning team. Our players worked hard all season and bought in to how we wanted to play, and it was through the contributions of everyone involved that we were able to win the Players’ Shield this season.” ~ Bob Lilley after being named USL Championship Coach of the Year in November.

‘I’m really, really happy to get an award like this in a league with the amount of talent and good players that are in the USL Championship’ 

“I’m really, really happy to get an award like this in a league with the amount of talent and good players that are in the USL Championship. I also want to thank all my teammates. They were all so important and made my job easier, and I want to thank the Riverhounds’ coaches for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play.” ~ Arturo Ordonez, after being honored as USL Championship Defender of the Year.

“It was kind of a snapshot of our season. Very very close, but just not enough”

“It was kind of a snapshot of our season, Very very close, but just not enough.”

“…They did a great job of staying in the game and doing their job and had a couple of chances that could’ve gone our way. So, I mean, what a great display by these guys. Man down, two attacking players playing as centre-backs after losing two people there. Great job by the guys.” ~ Pitt’s Jay Vidovich, following the Panthers defeat in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to James Madison, 3-2, at Ambrose Urbanic Field as Vidovich gave credit to James Madison for a great match, but said that the match mirrored much of 2023.  Lots of chances, tight matches, but just not getting it done in the end.

James Madison head coach Paul Zazenski complimented Pitt on their performance and the fight they put up, despite the loss. He also gave a lot of credit to his team for staying calm and composed after the flurry of goals in the first half.

“What a great soccer match,” Zazenski said.

“We have the utmost respect for Pitt and Jay and their staff and we knew it was going to be a battle and I’m just proud of the whole group who battled tonight and played really well. There was a moment where I was thinking this might be a 6-5 game, but we settled. We weathered the storm, we settled down a little bit and we played a composed second half. So, very, very proud of the guys for their efforts and for getting the win.”

‘From start to finish, we did not give up’ 

“We faced adversity all year. We went down a couple times, but from start to finish, we did not give up,” ~ Ellie Coffield, Pitt midfielder said on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast with Rachael Kriger, following a thrilling 4-3 win at Arkansas. Coffield scored the match’s equalizer from a free kick, then hit the game-winner on a corner kick late in the second half of a back-and-forth affair.

“Ecstatic,” Pitt HC Randy Waldrum shared how he felt following the win against a team that had previously won 32 straight games at home.

“Couldn’t be more proud of the team. We had a team that refused to lose.  You can feel it on the sideline.  Even when they scored the third goal, I felt like we could win and get another one. Of course, Ellie stepped up big for us on the free kick and the corner. I’ve heard many people say it’s an upset.  But going into it, we felt like we were the better team.” 

“It was stressful, but a lot of fun.”  

‘It means a lot’ 

“I felt like coming in we could get the result and I felt like we could score a couple of goals on them. I know they’ve been really good defensively all year, but I just like our team and I like our team offensively and we got some goals from some players, like Keera (Melenhorst). Everybody would look at Schupansky or [Amanda] West or somebody getting it and Keera came in with a goal and of course Aliya Gomes came off the bench and got a goal. So it’s great to see and I’m so proud of this group.” ~ Pitt HC Randy Waldrum after the Panthers defeated Memphis. 3-0, in the Round of 16 match in Arkansas, to advance to the program’s first-ever Quarterfinal Round (Elite Eight).

“I think a lot of people haven’t given us a lot of credit throughout the year and one thing I think we kind of stayed true to is, we know where we are, we know what we have, we know where we’re good at, we know what we need to work on and we know what we need to be better at. But I think from national rankings all year to seeding to everything else, I think we’ve not really garnered  and I think one of the things we’ve talked about is let’s just not worry about that and just play and it’ll all sort itself out in the end. These players have been true professionals in handling things that way.”

“It means a lot,” Keera Melenhorst said on her goal-scoring form.

“I’ve worked hard for this all season and to have it come into fruition now has been great when the team needs it most and I want to contribute and continue to contribute moving forward in this [NCAA] Tournament.”

‘This award is meaningful to so many, including myself, as it pays tribute to such an amazing person, Moe Rosensteel, who has had an impact on so many’

“Thank you so much for this honor,” Riverview HS Senior Lola Abraham, after being honored as the 2023 Moe Rosensteel Award recipient, following an impressive career, including scoring 77 goals during her senior campaign. Abraham has committed to attend and play soccer at Pitt.

“This award is meaningful to so many, including myself, as it pays tribute to such an amazing person, Moe Rosensteel, who has had an impact on so many. I am very honored and grateful to be a part of Moe’s legacy. Throughout the season, both on and off the field, I have worked to play and honor Moe. However, this was not possible without the support of my teammates and coaches.”

“I think we’ve changed a lot about soccer in this city, but also in the region’

“I think we’ve changed a lot about soccer in this city, but also in the region. It’s nice to see the Riverhounds getting a lot of attention and it was a great year this year.” Riverhounds HC Bob Lilley, as both he and the Riverhounds were honored with a proclamation of “Bob Lilley and Pittsburgh Riverhounds Day” on November 20, by the City of Pittsburgh.

‘It was an amazing run’ 

“Thank you to all who supported us along this seasons journey!! It was an amazing run defeating five top 25 teams including three in the top ten, ACC Semi-Finalist, and an Elite 8 appearance! Special team of amazing women along with a great staff!” Pitt HC Randy Waldrum, following his squad’s NCAA Tournament loss to top-seeded and eventual National Champion, Florida State.

Pitt (17-5-1) ends the season with three of its five losses on the season coming to the top-ranked Seminoles, but the Panthers cap an impressive 2023 campaign by earning more wins than any other team in program history. Pitt wrapped up this historic season with program records for most wins (17), ACC wins (6), home wins (9), points (194), goals (64), and assists (66). Pitt posted

December

‘To Say Goodbye is one of the toughest parts of the game’ 

‘We’re excited to see what the future holds for Jayden’ 

“We’re very happy for Jayden and his family,” Duquesne head coach Chase Brooks added in a University release after Jayden Da became the 30th overall pick and Duquesne’s first-ever First-Round MLS SuperDraft selection.

“The Columbus Crew are a great organization and defending MLS champions. The trust and confidence they showed in Jayden by picking him in the first round is amazing, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for him.”