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Bassett is a Hound: Former Colorado Rapids homegrown MF Sam Bassett signs with Riverhounds

Riverhounds SC has signed new midfielder Sam Bassett to a one-year deal with a club option for 2027, the team announced today. The deal is pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.
Bassett, 22, spent last season with the Colorado Rapids as a homegrown signing, splitting time between the MLS club and their reserve team in MLS Next Pro, Rapids 2.
He made 15 appearances for the Rapids across all competitions, recording one assist, and he posted three goals and seven assists in 16 matches for Rapids 2.
“We identified Sam early in the offseason as a strong fit for our style of play,” Dan Visser, Riverhounds Sporting Director, said.
“He covers a lot of ground, is constantly on the move and can fill multiple roles across the midfield. We’re excited to welcome him into the group.”
A native of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Bassett’s career to this point has been based in his home state as a product of the Rapids Academy and a standout college player for the University of Denver.
Bassett scored 24 goals in 77 games as a college player, winning the Summit League Midfielder of the Year award in both 2023 and 2024 and leading the Pioneers to the NCAA College Cup semifinals in 2024.
Bassett made the leap to the pros immediately after his senior season and made his pro debut last March with Rapids 2. He scored his first pro goal in only his second appearance, finding the net early in a match against Real Monarchs, and on April 5, he was pulled into the club’s First Team to make his MLS debut against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

John K’s Immediate Thoughts on Signing of Sam Bassett

This signing appears to be a move that could be mutually beneficial situation for all parties — but the question is — where will Bassett fit in on this current Riverhounds’ squad that is deep at the midfield position?

The benefit for Bassett to come to Pittsburgh is to find a place where he can continue to develop and become a more complete player and get more experience playing in very competitive enviroment.  With this group in Pittsburgh, he can certainly do that.

Bassett has been described as a true box-to-box midfielder, also versatile to play on the left wing, and be dynamic option who could step in and start for most USL Championship clubs. But, with a strong rotation that includes Danny Griffin, Bradley Sample and Jackson Walti in the central midfield and a lot of competition on the wings, Bassett could be seen as a potential productive attacker and playmaker (three goals and seven assists for Rapids 2 is pretty solid pedigree).

At the University of Denver, he was on a squad that has made annual trips to face Pitt — so he’s no stranger to playing in Pittsburgh.

At UD, Bassett managed to notch an impressive 24 goals and 26 assists in 77 matches. His college career saw him emerge as one of the last nominees for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2024, a prestigious honor kept for the top collegiate soccer prospects.

A true homegrown Denver product, Bassett developed in the Rapids Academy.

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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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