Hounds President Jeff Garner announces launch of USL W League team before kickoff of match vs Detroit City FC

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds had a major reveal for the future of soccer in the steel city prior to Saturday night’s game against Detroit City FC, announcing that the club will field a women’s first team side in the USL W League starting in 2025.

Here we go – @JeffGarner23 takes to the field for the major announcement: The @RiverhoundsSC are launching a @USLWLeague expansion team, launching May 2025! A huge moment for the women's game in the steel city!#HOUNDTAHN | @pghsoccernow

— Colton Coreschi (@cjcoreschi) April 27, 2024

The announcement sparks a new era for the Hounds in their 25th anniversary season, and a massive opportunity for the women’s game in Pittsburgh at a time of universal growth for women’s sports and women’s soccer in particular. With a robust girl’s academy, the Hounds now have a home for their premier women’s talent to continue to grow and develop through the collegiate ages.

“As we experience the remarkable growth of women’s soccer globally, it’s imperative that we not only acknowledge, but actively champion the immense talent and passion that exists within our own communities,” said Jeff Garner, Pittsburgh Riverhounds President.

“By establishing a pathway for girls in our region to pursue the highest levels of soccer, particularly those emerging from our esteemed Riverhounds Development Academy, we are not just creating opportunities, we are fulfilling dreams.”

The W League, which began play in 2022 as the premier pre-professional league for women, has seen rapid growth as it enters its third season this summer. It launched with 44 teams in its inaugural season, had 65 teams in 2023, and anticipates further growth to 80+ teams this summer. It has also served as a foundational launching point for the USL’s professional women’s effort – the USL Super League – which also launches its inaugural season this summer as a Division 1 league aside the NWSL.

“As our Academy has grown and flourished on the girls’ side, the need to create a First Team pathway for the young women in our city has become increasingly evident,” said Pittsburgh’s Sporting Director, Dan Visser.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring a W League team to Pittsburgh!”

_______________________________________________________________________

Here’s the club’s official full release: 

United Soccer League today announced that the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ownership group has established a USL W League team which is slated to start competing in the 2025 season. The team’s official crest and identity will be unveiled in the coming months.

The addition of a W League team will provide a pathway for women in Pittsburgh to compete at an elite level. The Riverhounds Development Academy has been active since 2007, with its first girls’ academy team forming in 2012.

“As we experience the remarkable growth of women’s soccer globally, it’s imperative that we not only acknowledge, but actively champion the immense talent and passion that exists within our own communities,” Riverhounds President Jeff Garner said. “By establishing a pathway for girls in our region to pursue the highest levels of soccer, particularly those emerging from our esteemed Riverhounds Development Academy, we are not just creating opportunities, we are fulfilling dreams.”

The year the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is celebrating its 25th anniversary, after being established in 1999 as a men’s professional team in the then USL A League. Following the formation of the Development Academy, the club expanded, now fielding teams from U-9 to U-19 age groups within multiple leagues, including USL Academy and Elite Clubs National League.

“As our Academy has grown and flourished on the girls’ side, the need to create a First Team pathway for the young women in our city has become increasingly evident,” said Riverhounds Sporting Director Dan Visser. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring a W League team to Pittsburgh!”

The club also partakes in various community initiatives in efforts to fulfill its mission “to cultivate and promote the sport of soccer within the Pittsburgh area, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of players, fans and supporters.” Some activations include soccer-focused physical education programming in local schools led by Riverhounds coaches and charity walks at Highmark Stadium, the home site for Riverhounds matches.

“We are thrilled to have Pittsburgh Riverhounds join the USL W League for the 2025 season,” said Joel Nash, USL Senior Vice President of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “Pittsburgh has decades of history in the American soccer landscape, and we’re excited to see their passionate fans support this W League team next summer.”

Colton Coreschi