Straight off the Main Line: Riverhounds sign recent Villanova standouts Jason Bouregy and Jorge Garcia

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Some may say they took a page out of the book of the NBA’s New York Knicks — signing not one but a pair of first-year pros from Villanova University, the Riverhounds SC announced the addition of midfielders Jason Bouregy and Jorge Garcia for the 2025 season.

The two players come to Pittsburgh after playing as teammates last season at Villanova University, and they are signed to one-year deals with team options for 2026, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

Bouregy, 23, wrapped up his college career with the Wildcats after previously playing at both American University and Rutgers University. The Paramus, N.J., native was a First Team All-Big East selection after posting four goals and eight assists in 2024.

Prior to Villanova, Bouregy was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection in helping Rutgers to the Big Ten Tournament title in 2022, and as a freshman, his team at American also won the Spring 2021 Patriot League title. He also suited up in the amateur ranks before and during college, playing for the New York Red Bulls U-23 in the National Premier Soccer League and FC Motown and Vermont Green of USL League Two.

“Jason is a quick, dynamic winger who works on both sides of the ball,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “With his technical ability, he will cause problems for defenders in our league.”

Garcia, 23, comes from Lawrenceville, Ga., and played 77 matches across five seasons for the Wildcats. As a senior last year, Garcia led Villanova with a career-best five goals, also adding a pair of assists.

After having his freshman season moved to Spring 2021, Garcia made his way into the starting lineup during his sophomore season that fall. He started the team’s final nine matches on the way to appearances in the Big East semifinals and the NCAA Tournament Second Round.

Garcia’s scoring touch also carried over into this preseason with the Hounds, as he has found the net twice in wins over Columbus Crew 2 and Pitt.

“Jorge has exceptional awareness and technical quality in attacking situations. He can pick out a pass, and he finishes at a high level,” Lilley said. “We like him and Jason at our January combine, and they have grown quickly in our group.”

Takeaways from Signings of the ‘Nova Hounds

In getting a closer look at both players in the preseason — both in action in the scrimmages and in training — they should be solid complementary pieces to the puzzle.  One thing the Hounds need will be dynamic play on the wings in addition to having Bertin Jacquesson along with high-energy motor of Junior Etou — Bouregy showed some impressive flashes at times especially when in space — and also in creating space and finding something out of nothing with a goal here with NPSL’s Motown FC.

Garcia also can score — we’ve seen it already in the preseason with the Hounds but also at Villanova.  With his abilities on the ball, the Hound have another player that can fit in to what they’re trying to accomplish in 2025 by being better in possession.

The Hounds are now sitting at 22 players on the roster with a little more than a week to go before the first regular season match (Saturday, March 8 at North Carolina FC).   While the team made a splash with announcement of signings of Bertin Jacquesson and Augustine Williams right before preseason began, almost all of the subsequent signings have been first year pros and/or inexperienced players at this level.   This will be something to watch, especially when  the Hounds will be relying on having quality depth as the season hits the most challenging stretches and if/when injuries become an issue.  Of note — Jacquesson did leave Tuesday’s match (2-1 loss to Loudoun United FC) with a hamstring injury.

In this week’s Riverhounds Notebook, we also shared there are a few more non-roster players who are with the club.  It’s possible that some of them may be signed to contracts.   Stay tuned!

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