Fort Highmark Reinforcements: Hounds add promising defenders Pierre Cayet and Sean Suber

Photo courtesy John McGloughlin/Bent Musket

Riverhounds SC has signed defenders Pierre Cayet and Sean Suber, adding a pair of young players with pro experience to the mix for the upcoming season. Both are signed to one-year deals with a team option for 2025, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

Both players competed last season in MLS Next Pro — Cayet with New England Revolution 2 and Suber with Huntsville City FC — and both were among their team’s leaders in appearances and minutes anchoring their respective back lines.

Cayet, 24, spent the past three seasons with the Revs 2, first joining the team in 2021 when it was a member of USL League One. Last year, he started 30 of 31 matches for the team as they reached the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference Final, and he added a pair of goals to give the defender six in his pro career.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Brette-les-Pins, France, played on the youth teams and with the reserve side at Angers SCO before leaving the Ligue 1 club to play college soccer at Temple University, where he was unanimously named the American Athletic Conference Defender of the Year in his 2020-21 senior season.

“Pierre is an intelligent defender who is comfortable on the ball and can play as a center back or left back,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “After trying to bring him to Pittsburgh a few years ago, we are excited that we will have him for the 2024 USL Championship season.”

Suber, 22, just completed his first professional season with Huntsville, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of Nashville SC, where he played with current Hounds teammate Danny Griffin. He started 26 of 28 games last season, the most on the team, and also led Huntsville with 72 clearances.

Before starting his pro career, Suber played college soccer in his hometown at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. The 49ers reached the NCAA Tournament three times during Suber’s four seasons at Charlotte, and as a senior, he returned from injury to be selected an All-AAC player.

“Sean impressed us at our December combine. He had a very good season in Huntsville and is capable of playing multiple positions,” Lilley said. “We liked his ability to read the game, take up good positions and effectively distribute out of the back.”

The Hounds, winners of the 2023 Players’ Shield, continue to build their roster for the club’s 25th-anniversary season. More signings will be announced prior to the team opening preseason training on Monday, Jan. 29.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2024 Roster by Position

• Forward: Edward Kizza
• Midfield:  Dani Rovira, Langston Blackstock, Junior Etou, DZ Harmon, Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin, Robbie Mertz
• Defenders:   Mike DeShields, Pat Hogan, Illal Osumanu, Luke Biasi, Pierre Cayet and Sean Suber
• Goalkeepers:  none

Riverhounds 2023 Rostered Players who’s contract expired and are now free agents

• Albert Dikwa (Forward — Reigning USL Championship MVP)- Signed with Rhode Island FC
• Arturo Ordonez (Defender –  Reigning USL Championship Defender of the Year) – Signed with Louisville City FC
• Jahmali Waite (Goalkeeper) – Signed with El Paso 
• Nate Dossantos (Defender)
• Luke Biasi (Defender/Midfielder)
• Marc Ybarra (Midfielder) – Signed with Rhode Island FC 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2023 Rostered Players who did not have contract options picked up

• Burke Fahling (Midfielder)
• JC  Obregon (Forward)
• Trevor Zwetsloot (Midfielder)
• Tony Lopez  (Midfielder)
• Jonathan Gomes (Goalkeeper)
• Christian Garner (Goalkeeper)
• Tola Showunmi  (Forward) – Signed with Louisville City FC 
• Joe Farrell (Defender) – Signed with Hartford Athletic FC