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Newly signed Augi Williams joins Riverhounds on ‘intense’ first day of training

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC started the 2025 campaign with an intense first training session on Monday morning at AHN Montour Soccer Complex, with Head Coach Bob Lilley setting the tone and a little more than two dozen players putting in the work.

‘The guys were buzzing to get back. First day, first five, ten minutes, everyone was full-go, full speed,” Danny Griffin, Riverhounds SC team captain said.

“Once everyone settled in, it was a good first day. Some new faces, getting them comfortable with the way we play, but it was a good first day and everyone’s happy to be back.”

Among the group of players on the pitch was the newly signed veteran forward Augustine ‘Augi’ Williams, who the club publicly announced was added to the squad just as the team was taking to the indoor pitch.

Moments after completing the session and getting some final words from Lilley, Williams was asked by the media contingent on hand if this was what he expected on day one.

“It wasn’t what I expected,” Williams chuckled.

“He’s (Lilley) is setting the tone right from the first day. We’re here to work. We’re here to build a team.  To have this place to become a fortress. It’s all part of the process.  I love it. Constructive criticism. It makes me better, makes everyone better.”

Lilley, who spoke about his familiarity with Williams, acknowledging the Sierra Leone international’s experience, having started in the USL Championship as an 18 year-old back in 2015, quipped that he has been around “a few years longer”.

For Lilley, it will be his 26th season coaching professional soccer, just as it’s the Riverhounds’ 26th season as a pro club.

While the veteran head coach had plenty of positive things to say about the team that he’s assembling, still shared that day one, the group wasn’t exactly clicking on all cylinders.

“Today, it was rough in a lot of ways, but the energy was there, the enthusiasm was there,” Lilley pointed out.

“Anything we did they got better. Sometimes early in the season, they struggle and then they get their heads, so I think you each exercise, when you let them settle in, they get better. We have to get a lot better.  But there was progress.”

Much of the talk after the training session centered around the addition of Williams, as Lilley, team captain and midfielder Danny Griffin and veteran goalkeeper, Eric Dick, each spoke about the addition and attributes of a player who has scored 76 goals in the USL Championship.

“He’s good, energetic. Really good on the ball. Someone I’ve played against a lot and I’m excited to play more with him.  Bigger size, he’s technical. Even holding up the ball, he’s strong and physical, and obviously his eye for the goal. He’s good in the box like most good forwards. Him, getting on the end of runs, getting wide and getting service. He’s going to be a good match for us.”

Dick also shared that Williams brings another intangible.

“He’s unpredictable. That’s how I would say it. unpredictable in terms of his movement,” Dick explained.

“He keeps defenders on their toes. I remember going against him twice last year. It’s hard. He’s a hard guy to guard. Whenever you can get one of those guys on your team, it’s great.”

Lilley acknowledged that Williams will need to build up his fitness.

That will be imperative in Lilley’s system, as forwards are instrumental in defending as much as they are in being effective in producing goals.

Lilley stated he’s hoping that this year, the team will be better in building out of the back and in possession, as he admitted that while the Hounds conceded possession in a lot of games and they defended well in 2024, they found most of their opportunities on the counter.

“If we’re going to play on the front foot, we have to be better in possession. Better with our pressure.  Hopefully create more chances.  Hopefully bringing Bertin (Jacquesson) back and adding a player like Augi, we’re hoping to be more dangerous overall.”

Under Lilley’s watchful eye and hands on guidance, the Hounds finished the day with a familiar short field, final third drill as both sides rotated moving the ball quickly in the final third to generate chances while keeping the goalkeepers busy making saves and moving into proper positioning.

A strong start will be imperative for the Hounds this coming season. Collectively, Griffin, Dick and Lilley all shared how they can’t afford another slow start like they had in 2024.

“We have a bit of unfinished business,” Dick stated.

“We made a really good run to the playoffs and you know that really bonded the group (last year), but I think obviously every year our goal is to win the championship. Hopefully, we’ll get off to a better start this year and then just grow on what we did last year and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

As a group, the Hounds know that the work starts now, in the preseason.

We want to get off to a good start. The quicker we’re on the same page the better.  We’ve always been good defensively, so adding to the attacking group can certainly do that. Our mindset is always to win and we want to win now,” Griffin said.

“The quicker we get up to speed, the better. I don’t want to lose any preseason games. I don’t want to lose any games at all, so that has to be the mindset from the start.  Doesn’t matter if we’re playing a college team. Columbus Crew this weekend, we don’t want to lose any game. That has to be the mentality going into it.”

Other Notes from First Day of Hounds Preseason Training

  • Missing from first day of training included Bertin Jacquesson, Junior Etou, Illal Osumanu and newly signed rookie Brigham Larsen, who Lilley acknowledged were still dealing with Visa issues.   Etou and Jacquesson are expected to be joining the team soon, but the coach said that Osumanu and Larsen may take a little longer.
  • The Hounds did not share a list of the trialist who were on hand, but there were some familiar faces.  Lilley added that he said there may be an addition or two in the coming weeks, but for the most part he feels pretty good about the group of players they have.

“We all know what Bob wants, so we’re able to relay that onto the trialists,” Griffin added.

“I feel like we do a good job of making them comfortable that and that sort of situation but then, yeah, you can get the speed and kind of see pretty early on and then we’ll have the games where you can tell even more on the weekends what they can do.”

  • Pittsburgh’s first preseason match on Saturday at Columbus will be a closed-door affair.
  • AHN Montour outdoor fields were completely covered in snow so it doesn’t look like the club will be going outside anytime soon as the temperatures likely won’t break over 40 degrees in the coming week.
  • The Hounds first home preseason match will be vs Duquesne on the following Saturday, February 8 at Highmark Stadium, if the weather cooperates.

Full Interviews from Riverhounds First Practice on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast

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).

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