Bertin Jacquesson stays in Pittsburgh, signs new deal with Riverhounds SC

In their biggest offseason splash signing announcement, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC have announced that they’ve signed former Pitt standout Bertin Jacquesson to a deal with the club.

Jacquesson’s deal, which is pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval, keeps the former University of Pittsburgh standout with the Hounds for 2025 with a club option for the 2026 season.

“Bertin was very good for us at the end of 2024 and a priority to bring back in 2025,” Bob Lilley, Riverhounds Head Coach, said.

“He is quick and dangerous in front of goal and will also set up others. Needless to say, we are excited to have him back in Pittsburgh for the 2025 USL Championship season.”

Jacquesson, 23, was initially loaned to the Hounds by MLS club Real Salt Lake near the end of last season, and he made an immediate splash, scoring in his team debut against Rhode Island FC on Sept. 7. He also earned USL Player of the Week after scoring a hat trick against Miami FC on Oct. 5, and he finished with five goals and two assists in eight games with Pittsburgh.

Originally from Lorrez-le-Bocage, France, Jacquesson was a key part of Pitt’s teams that reached the NCAA College Cup semifinals in 2020 and 2022. After three years with the Panthers, he was the 16th overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake.

In two years under contract with RSL, Jacquesson made 12 appearances and recorded one assist with the MLS team. He also appeared in 18 matches for the club’s reserve side in MLS Next Pro, scoring twice and adding an assist.

With Jacquesson’s return, the Hounds now have 13 players back from their final roster from a season ago, when the team went 9-1-6 over its final 16 matches to reach the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

Adding ✌️ more Hounds to the attack!@RiverhoundsSC has signed Bertin Jacquesson and Brigham Larsen for the 2025 season ✍️

➡️ https://t.co/uZ8ZiYW3zq pic.twitter.com/GaFiadgsNv

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) January 10, 2025

Immediate Reaction to Bertin Jacquesson Signing

In 2024, when the Riverhounds couldn’t find an answer at the forward position, they brought former the former Pitt star on loan — and Jacquesson had an immediate impact.

Shortly after the season ended, finding a way to potentially get the skilled attacker back in black-and-gold was not only a wish of fans, but Bob Lilley and his coaching staff were eager to find a way to bring Jacquesson back.

Bertin Jacquesson was very, very, very good on loan with Pittsburgh in 2024, and you'd expect him to repeat the trick as a Riverhound anew in 2025. https://t.co/gxwROg8Y0v pic.twitter.com/55yv218Z4J

— John Morrissey (@USLTactics) January 10, 2025

The Frenchman ability to beat defenders in space along with his deft passing skills helped open things up for the Hounds attack, which struggled to find creative playmaking for much of the season.

While he scored five goals in a short period of time, you can also look at his playmaking and presence that really gave the team an added element of danger in the attacking third.

Things we love to see in a @PALottery Play of the Game:

✅ Kizza chipping the keeper
✅ Jacquesson’s great assist
✅ Scoring in front of @SteelArmy at @highmarkstadium #PITvCHS #HOUNDTAHN pic.twitter.com/UyVQRfmyT6

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 13, 2024

Pittsburgh still has work to do to build its roster, but having a 13th player from last year’s roster, and one who played a big part in the team’s late season push to its seventh straight postseason, should be a very positive sign.

Friday’s earlier news that the Hounds have signed Norwegian Brigham Larsen, a 6’4″ rookie forward out of UNC Charlotte, gives Pittsburgh fans some hope that the team has a few attacking pieces in place that could prove to be upgrades from the previous campaign.  Another proven scorer or two at this level could really enhance things, but this is a good sign.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2025 roster (as of 1/6/2025)

1. Danny Griffin MF (signed through 2025)
2. Kenardo Forbes MF (signed through 2025)
3. Robbie Mertz MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
4. Eric Dick GK (picked up 2025 contract option)
5. Jackson Walti  MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
6. Luke Biasi MF / D (picked up 2025 contract option)
7. Sean Suber D (picked up 2025 contract option)
8. Bradley Sample MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
9. Aidan O’Toole MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
10. Jacob Randolph GK (picked up 2025 contract option)
11. Junior Etou MF (re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
12. Illal Osumanu D (re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
13. Charles Ahl (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
14. Brigham Larsen (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
15. Bertin Jacquesson (signed for 2025, contract option for 2026)

Contract Expired

1. Langston Blackstock  F / D –  Signed with Charleston Battery 
2. Edward Kizza F – Signed with Indy Eleven 
3. Dani Rovira MF / D
4. Patrick Hogan D – Signed with Indy Eleven 
5. EJ Johnson  F  (was on one-year deal without contract option)
6. Gabriel Perrotta GK (was on one-year deal without contract option)

Hounds Opted Not To Pick Up Contract Option (Now Free Agents)

1. Pierre Cayet D
2. Babacar Diene  F
3. Kazaiah Sterling F
4. Nate Dragisich MF
5. Jake Kent-Loop D

Others

Pablo Linzoain, a senior high school student at Fox Chapel, was under USL Academy Contract (through the end of this season), which expired at the end of the 2024 season.

This is a developing story.  Look for more content to come including our analysis and reaction to this news soon.  

John Krysinsky

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).