Riverhounds Notebook: ‘Lot of strides to be made’ ahead of home opener

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

The Riverhounds completed a training session that went over their usual time on Thursday as they put in extra work in preparing for the home opener on Saturday against Hartford (7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium).

With just one point to show after two matches on the road to start the season, the Hounds are itching for a positive result in their first match in front of the home fans.

“It’s not good enough, right now,” Robbie Mertz, veteran midfielder said after Thursday’s training

“At same time we feel pretty confident about progress we made in preseason, but disappointed to get just one (point) from six in the first two games.  There’s a lot of strides to be made. We have a lot of potential in the group.”

When the team finally made it out to the field, Head Coach Bob Lilley oversaw an intense session, working on a variety of things, with careful direction and instruction while fine tuning things throughout as the Hounds prep for Hartford.

“It’s a big game for both teams, coming off of defeats,” Lilley said when walking back to the locker room after Thursday’s training.

“So, we want to be ready.”

Lilley also confirmed that he doesn’t expect three of the four players who were on last week’s injury report, specifically Charles Ahl, Bertin Jacquesson and Perrin Barnes, all who were getting in work on the side or in the weight room.  Midfielder Bradley Sample was on the field for training, but still may be questionable for Saturday’s match.

Additionally, after the club made it official that Kenardo Forbes would be retiring and transitioning fully to coaching, they have also planned a special moment prior to Saturday’s match celebrating ‘King Kenny’s’ impressive pro soccer career, which included his final seven seasons in Pittsburgh.

“It’s a home opener and with with it being a special night for Kenny,” Lilley added.

“Obviously, we want to have a good performance and send the home crowd home happy.”

Getting Everyone To Gel While Working Around Injuries

Scoring just one goal in two matches didn’t exactly sit well with Lilley, Mertz or any of the players and coaches who all — in their own way — exhibited a bit of an edge during the preparation process this week.

Still, the veteran coach believes that his players are taking positive steps, but also explained that his club is working through the injuries pushing and adjusting to newer system where numerous players have stepped up into bigger roles with more playing time than what might have been expected at the outset of the preseason.

“It’s pushed other people into situations where I know they’re getting the experience. but not every player is is ready for every challenge, at this stage.

Lilley further explained, and you could see he’s putting in the work during the training sessions to figure out the right combinations and trying to prepare them for the responsibilities that they’ll be given to execute each game plan.

“I think we’ve made a lot of progress. We’ve been short short handed for the last six games. I mean, two league games and the last four preseason games. We were struggling. So, some guys have have been pushed into more minutes or different roles because of of the injury. So, that’s been some of the challenge,” Lilley explained.

The Hounds made one adjustment to the starting lineup in the first two matches (Jorge Garcia started the first match, while Illal Osumanu replaced him with the same group for the San Antonio match).

“Every week there’s been some some some slight changes where we’ve had to adapt and adjust based on injuries and who’s playing in what positions. That’s been one of the challenges. It’s a good group. They’ve worked hard, you know, right now we we had a really good rhythm. I think we lost it in (last week’s) San Antonio game in terms of on the ball possession and confidence. This week we’re trying to work to get that back where we needed uh for the game at home on Saturday.”

‘It’s a good move for the game in the United States’: Mertz, Lilley react to USL Promotion Relegation News

When asked about Wednesday’s news about the USL voting to adapt a promotion-relegation system, with the club being one of 38 clubs to vote yes, both Lilley and Mertz shared their thoughts.

“It’s good move for the game in the United States,” Mertz exclaimed.

“A lot of people are interested in the storylines from promotion/relegation conversation.  That can bring a lot of eyeballs the entire league  for the system. THere’sa lot to figure out in getting to that place.  It’s an exciting thing for everyone involved.  Hopefully they can get it off the ground and make it work.”

Even as Lilley’s focus — as it always is — on the next match, especially so close to match day, he obliged to share his reaction to the Pro/Rel news.

“I’m looking a week ahead and we don’t even have a first division yet in the USL.  So, right now, if we were 10 games in sitting at the top of the table, then maybe I’d breathe and think about that. I mean it’s it’s it’s part of it. We’ve known that that’s something that’s been talked about the last four or five years. So it’s not a complete surprise, once you have another division and you’re able to make that happen through three through the three levels then I think it will give a lot of teams opportunities to have good seasons and and jump levels. There’s a lot to work out. Beyond the horizon it may take three, four years. For me, I’m just trying to make sure we’re ready for a home opener on Saturday.”

Mertz Looks Forward to Year Seven Playing Before Hometown Fans

For some of us, it may be hard to believe that the Riverhounds will be kicking off its 13th season at Highmark Stadium.

The Pittsburgh-area native, Mertz, who is from Upper St. Clair, has played with the Hounds in six of those seasons.  If Mertz is not the longest tenured player the club has ever had from the area, he’s getting awfully close to holding that distinction.

“It’s year seven for me. Excited to go again. I am very fortunate to make it this far in my career.  To be able to most of it in my hometown, it’s very special,” Mertz said.

Veteran midfielder was among the list of players who had their options picked up in the offseason. In total with the Hounds, Mertz has 17 goals and 16 assists — one of only seven players with 14 or more of each — and he has played 122 matches, amassing over 8,100 minutes of action in Black and Gold (Mertz played for a season and a half with Atlanta United 2 in 2021 and 2022).

Once again, the play making, crafty and high energy midfielder, has been mostly on the attacking line in the first two matches, putting in solid performances, but aspires to reach a higher level as he works to get into midseason form and clicking with all of his teammates.

“Coming into this season, I feel good about where my game is, Mertz added.

“I’ve been in worse spots with my came.  Hopefully I can find the spark.”

** Full Interview with Robbie Mertz ** 

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PSN’s Coverage of Riverhounds 2025 Home Opener

Look for Match Preview / Scouting Report, breaking down the match-up and taking a closer look at Hartford FC to come late Friday or early Saturday.

Rachael Kriger will have on-site reporting coverage, including post-match reaction, while Ed Thompson returns for his eighth season covering the Hounds for PSN.

Of course, we’ll have more post match reaction and analysis to follow afterwards.