A Tale of USL League Two Roster Blueprints: Steel City FC and Riverhounds 2 take differing approach to roster builds

Both Steel City FC and Riverhounds 2 rosters are starting to round into shape as an unprecedented USL League Two season approaches. For the first time, the Pittsburgh region will have two pre-professional men’s teams competing in the same league and division.

The two area squads are taking completely different approaches in building their rosters ahead of the mid-May kickoff.

While Riverhounds 2 is a fresh entity to the league—introducing a mix of local college talent and numerous recruits from outside the region—Steel City FC has leaned into continuity, announcing the return of 19 players from last year’s Great Forest Division championship squad.

The 412 Academy Crossover

The roster building process has been fierce, and the lines between Pittsburgh’s top pre-pro clubs appear increasingly blurred. Several players heading into the 2026 season have significant history on the other side of the Monongahela:

• Koven Johnson (Hounds 2): Touted as the marquee signing for the new Riverhounds squad, Johnson came through the Steel City/Arsenal youth system before moving to the Barça Residency Academy and after his sophomore season at High Point University, become an MLS SuperDraft pick. Johnson opted to return to college this fall, thus has decided to play his spring/summer with Riverhounds 2.

• Anders Bordoy (Steel City FC): Now a fixture for Steel City, Bordoy spent his most formative years in the Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA). He made history by signing a USL Academy contract and appearing for the Hounds’ first team in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup was with the club that season until he left for his first few years at University of Memphis before transferring to Pitt.

• Parker Brennan & John Krug (Steel City FC): Both players are notable additions to the Steel City roster who previously spent time refining their game within the Riverhounds Academy.

As we move forward into the coming weeks as both teams prepare for League Two competition and women’s teams in our region, Riveters SC and Steel City, also prepare for pre-professional league action, look for more in-depth coverage and previews here on Pittsburgh Soccer Now.

Steel City FC: Defending the Title with Continuity

Following their recent U.S. Open Cup run, Steel City FC has shifted its focus back to defending its USL League Two division title.

Head Coach Dan Brower has maintained that the club’s player pool is deeper than ever, rooted in an inside-out model that prioritizes their own academy, which will see eight of its 19 returnees as homegrown.

Confirmed 2026 Steel City FC Returnees:

• Amir Awais (Shady Side Academy / Case Western Reserve)

• Anders Bordoy (Kiski Area / Pitt)

• Luke Fiscus (Hampton / Duquesne)

• John Krug (Chartiers Valley / Robert Morris)

• Parker Brennan (Montour / Presbyterian, NJIT)

• Nick Graeca (Dubois / John Carroll)

• Cormac Apostolides (Chicago / Case Western Reserve)

• John Bence (Aquinas Academy / St. Thomas)

• Wil Dunda (Quaker Valley / Geneva)

• Jaxon Ervin (West Allegheny / Duquesne)

• Nolan Hutter (Montour / Robert Morris)

• Ryan Kopay (Moon / Fairleigh Dickinson)

• Luke Kost (Trinity Christian / Geneva)

• Josh Lane (Leicester, England / Robert Morris)

• Ashwin Menon (Texas / Duquesne)

• Nick Niebauer (Butler)

• Logan Pappert (Central Catholic / Geneva)

• Zander Plizga (Hampton / Mt. Union)

• Nathan Prex (Seneca Valley / Lebanon College)

John Krysinsky

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).