Adversity-hardened Rob Vincent keeps Riverhounds focused on day-to-day tasks at hand

Last Friday afternoon, Rob Vincent got word that he would be appointed as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s acting head coach, with the team’s long standing and successful Head Coach Bob Lilley being put on administrative leave.

Vincent admitted he was caught off guard but quickly realized he needed to focus on keeping the team focused for match against Indy Eleven in less than 24 hours.

“It happened late Friday,” Vincent explained, then quickly came together with other coaches, Jon Busch, Kenardo Forbes and the club’s Sporting Director, Dan Visser.

“After we got together, we had a group video chat with the players. I told them (other coaches) I am not going to be able to do it all myself.”

If any person currently involved with the Riverhounds first team knows about, has experienced, lived and understands adversity that has come with the ups and downs of one the league’s most historic franchises, it would be Rob Vincent.

The Liverpool, England, native, shortly after signing with the club by then Head Coach Justin Evans, wasn’t even on the team’s lineup card in the first-ever match played at Highmark Stadium in 2013.

Eventually, Vincent made his mark that season and would become a staple in the lineup.

However, at the start of the 2014 season, Evans had to walk into the locker room to tell the players that the team would be announcing that they would be filing for bankruptcy. In a season where the Hounds had a cloud of bankruptcy proceedings hanging over their heads, they got off to a horrendous start, costing homegrown Peters Township native Evans his job. Vincent not only navigated the difficult 2014 start but become a very important part of the nucleus for that team that turned things around late that season, then had a remarkable 2015 campaign, where he scored 21 goals in all competitions.  His success with the Hounds earned him a look from Major League Soccer’s DC United, who ended up picking up Vincent via transfer from the Riverhounds before the start of 2016. 

Only a year into his budding MLS career, Vincent was dealt a devastating knee injury, ending his pro playing career prematurely.

Vincent returned to Pittsburgh once his playing career was over and found himself coaching with the Riverhounds Academy — until becoming part of the first team staff in 2024.

Suddenly, on Friday, after nearly two seasons working under Lilley, Vincent admitted that walking into a role as Head Coach was a new experience and he would need all the help he could get.

Vincent’s priority during the next 24 hours was to keep things as streamlined as possible.

“We trained all week.  What our lineup was going to look like, subs, what we work on in training –none of that changed,” Vincent said.

“That was the message to the players. It was going to be business as usual. Sure, it was a shock to system.  But, guys are ready for it.  Message was don’t let what happen in last 24 hours change our focus.”

Vincent pointed out that the players were well aware that the season was on the line and they couldn’t settle for anything less than three points.

“We knew we had to come out strong. Put balls in dangerous areas. Guys stood up to it.  Once we weathered the early storm (with Indy outshooting Pittsburgh 4-2 in first 30 minutes), we grew into game.”

The coaching staff were all locked into different tasks during the match, as Forbes, Busch and Visser were all contributing throughout the match.

Vincent also affirmed that the group’s determination to get over the hump to build a rare (for this season) two-goal lead was a huge motivating factor as they continued to push — maybe even harder — after Danny Griffin’s first half goal.

Then, the Hounds did get a second goal, in the 76th minute when Sean Suber converted Bradley Sample’s corner to the near post area.

“It was a really pleasing second goal,” Vincent said.

“We had another flurry. And despite allowing a goal, we limited them for most part. But it’s always good to get two goal lead.”

With a playoff clinching, 2-1 win over Indy behind them, Vincent also admitted that moving forward, the situation regarding Lilley remaining on administrative leave is still day-to-day, and that the coaching staff are still focused on the next task at hand.

“This week, if anything, will be a little different. Now, we’re going through full week,” Vincent admitted.

“There’s not much to say. It’s day-to-day.  Looks like I’ll be taking team on weekend.”

As for the team itself, the Hounds were about as close to full strength as they could be at this point in the season, with the return of Eric Dick, Robbie Mertz into the starting lineup and having Jackson Walti and Perrin Barnes getting back on the field as reserves.

The only player who was left off the 18 was late season signee, Chase Boone, who picked up an injury over the weekend.

“We’re in a pretty good spot.  Chase (Boone) over weekend wasn’t on bench.  But, overall, we’ve found balance.  We used Brigham (Larsen) off the bench too.  He has come a long way.  They all helped close game out.  Guys are mentally in good spot.  Hopefully we can keep the momentum.”

The Hounds will train in Pittsburgh through Thursday, then head out to Northern California on Friday.

“Our focus is to maximize amount points we can get. If win the last two, we stand a good chance of getting a top four spot (and home playoff match). Overall, we’re playing pretty well recently minus the second half in Miami,” Vincent stated.

“Even though it’s been strange few days, overall, the mood is pretty good. Everyone’s pretty focused. We want that home playoff match.”