Sounding Off on Soccer with John Krysinsky

Before the Riverhounds kickoff against FC Tulsa in the club's first-ever appearance in the USL Championship Final -- the Sounding Off on Soccer podcast is back with a special pregame edition.Joining PSN's John Krysinsky includes Matthew Baldwin, who has covered the Riverhounds for the past two-and-half seasons with multiple outlets including previously with Pittsburgh Soccer Now and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Keith Barnes.

With the Riverhounds set to play in the USL Championship Final at Tulsa on Saturday, we continue our series of daily Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast episodes.Today, John Krysinsky caught up with Riverhounds' All-USL Championship First Team defender Sean Suber as the third-year proThoughts on experience playing before Pittsburgh fans for three straight playoff matchesHow team has adjusted to each opponent through the playoffs and what have been the biggest challengesHow Sean's soccer journey brought him to Pittsburgh and being teammates with Danny Griffin in each of the past three yearsHow team is feeling and thoughts on the match-up vs Tulsa

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are USL Championship's Eastern Conference champions and will now be facing FC Tulsa in the League Final.  Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky is joined by fellow PSN contributors Mark 'Soccer Rabbi' Goodman and Matt Popchock who were all on hand at Highmark Stadium for Riverhounds 1-0 ECF triumph over Rhode Island, sharing their experiences from a memorable night in Pittsburgh soccer history and discuss the team's chances in the League Final to be played on Saturday at Noon.  

On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky discusses the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC one key missing ingredient as they get set to host Rhode Island FC in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference Final on Saturday. Then, John is joined by Steel City FC's Nolan Hutter, who's been helping lead Pittsburgh's USL League Two makeshift squad through 2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: Among the topics John and Nolan discussed include: Steel City's quest to get into the US Open Cup proper tournament by way of qualifying with a makeshift rosterWhat it means to represent Steel City FCThoughts on his alma mater Robert Morris's chances in the Horizon League playoffs 

In what has become a tradition of sorts, PSN's John Krysinsky is joined by a member of the broadcast team for a Riverhounds' upcoming playoff match -- as USL Championship play-by-play announcer Joe Malfa jumps on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast to discuss Saturday's USL Championship Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round match at Highmark Stadium.Together, John and Joe breakdown the match-up and discuss the many, many storylines for the first Hounds home playoff match since 2023 and only the second this decade.   

It's been a while, but we're back with a new episode of Sounding Off on Soccer as Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky shares his thoughts on the unfortunate incident at the end of last Saturday's Riverhounds-Hartford match, then also brings on Pitt Men's Soccer broadcast analyst and former LaRoche University boys head soccer coach, David Day, to discuss Pitt men's soccer team.  Among the topics discussed with Day include: Can this Pitt MSOC squad still be a Top 10 caliber What improvements can they be making to not just be ball dominant but more dangerous in attacking third? How have injuries affected this team so far this season and how much do they miss a fully healthy Casper Svendby?Incredibly difficult and challenging schedule is always part of what Pitt HC Jay Vidovich has done to build his programDavid Day previously was the head coach of the La Roche University Men’s Soccer Team where he built, led, and coached a team of talented players at the NCAA Division III level. Day took over the program in 2009 and led the men's soccer team to AMCC Tournament appearances in all ten seasons at the helm. His teams advanced to the AMCC Tournament Semifinals five times and never had a conference losing record. He twice led the Redhawks to program-bests 7-2 conference records.  In his final season, Day became the men's soccer all-time winningest coach at LaRoche. Under his watch, men's soccer had the AMCC Player of the Year, AMCC Newcomer of the Year, 2 All-Region performers, and 34 All-Conference honorees.

Heading into his third year as Head Coach of Robert Morris men’s soccer, Jonathan Potter leads a program coming off one of the most impressive campaigns in program history which included winning the Horizon League championship and a berth in the NCAA Men’s Division I tournament.“That was an exciting. cool thing that provided great moments. Hopefully, we can create some more good memories this fall,” Potter told Pittsburgh Soccer Now early this week as his team is preparing for Thursday’s season opener at Mercyhurst.Talk about a tough act to follow.Listen here to the full interview with Potter, as his team was selected third in the Horizon League preseason poll.  

One of our favorite guests of the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, Devon Kerr, returns to join John Krysinsky for an enlightening discussion with most of the interview segment talking about the Riverhounds, and on the tail end, some preseason thoughts on College Soccer and Pitt men's soccer team.  Among the topics Devin breaks down include: Riverhounds attacking line still trying to find solutionsAssessing Bob Lilley and his value to the Riverhounds' franchise Can the Hounds find some quality wins?  Pitt has only one thing on their mind at this time every year -- having sights on a National Championship run  And much, much more!   About Devon KerrDevon has quickly become one of the most respected analysts in the sport. He has called MLS matches for the FOX Sports family of networks and continues to be the only lead analyst across four different entities - The USL Championship, the NCAA Men’s College Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup. He played collegiately at Stetson University and competed in the Germany’s Regionalliga with Altona 93. He currently resides in Delray Beach, Florida with his wife and three kids.

More than halfway through his seventh season as a professional soccer player, spending nearly all of his career playing for his hometown club, Upper St Clair native Robbie Mertz is poised to become the Riverhounds all-time appearances leader for a player from the Pittsburgh region with his next appearance.  Mertz, who is also tied for the team lead in goals and is the team's runaway leader in chances created, is currently tied with club Hall of Famer, Gary DePalma (1999-2004) for the all-time appearances.  With 157 matches played for the Hounds, Mertz is tied with DePalma for fifth in club history.  This week, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky caught up with Mertz to discuss this milestone and many other topics on the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, including:His evolution as a player from when he came into USL Championship in 2019 to now  The differences in the league since he began his pro soccer journeyCarrying tradition of local players who have been with the club and the relationships he has with some of the past players who had an influence on him Thoughts on this year's team and the importance of finishing strong His role in generating chances, scoring goals and the team's approachHow has the club evolved and prospered under the direction Head Coach Bob Lilley since 2019Looking at this week's match-up vs Orange County SC and opportunities that lie ahead, including home matches vs Charleston and Louisville Adjusting to becoming a new father in the middle of the season and whirlwind in the days leading up to and after his child's birth And much more.  

It's been a while, but Mike Decourcy, fresh off covering FIFA Club World Cup at Met Life Stadium earlier in the week, joins John Krysinsky on a new episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.With the FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico less than one year away, Mike and John discuss the state of USMNT along with more on FIFA's Club World Cup. Then shifting gears, they also tackle another column that Mike wrote about this week, which is one of the greatest debates that extends to all sports fans, Michael Jordan vs LeBron James -- and what is soccer's equivalent. 

In May, Pitt women's soccer program announced an official change in leadership, with Randy Waldrum stepping into a new role as Technical Director, while Ben Waldrum is taking over as the team's Head Coach.For the first time since the transition took place, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky had a chance to visit Pitt's Peterson Sports Complex and sit down with the father and son duo who have led Pitt women's soccer to its most successful era and has reached its greatest heights since they arrived in 2018.In this exclusive, in-depth interview, among the topics discussed -- IN PART II -- included:Final thoughts on last season and the program's make-up in what will also be a transitional season with many new faces along with some key returneesWhat are three qualities that stand out to Randy and Ben about each otherand much more.

In May, Pitt women's soccer program announced an official change in leadership, with Randy Waldrum stepping into a new role as Technical Director, while Ben Waldrum is taking over as the team's Head Coach.For the first time since the transition took place, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky had a chance to visit Pitt's Peterson Sports Complex and sit down with the father and son duo who have led Pitt women's soccer to its most successful era and has reached its greatest heights since they arrived in 2018.In this exclusive, in-depth interview, among the topics discussed — IN PART I — included:Has anything changed since the transition was made official, even as Ben Waldrum had been serving as de facto Head Coach for the past couple of yearsImpact of House Settlement (*), as the settlement establishes new rules governing student-athlete NIL rights, compensation, scholarships, and roster sizesState of women's soccer and College game's role in its growth along with how it can be relevant in its changing landscapeAnd more!!

In the club's first season competing in USL League Two, Steel City FC's men's team earned yet another Division Title with one match remaining, following a 2-1 defeat of Toledo Villa FC, on Sunday at Founders Field.Two key members of the squad, Nathan Prex (Seneca Valley HS/Lebanon Valley) and Josh Lane (Leicester, England/Robert Morris), sat down for an interview on the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky.Prex, a former standout with Seneca Valley who has excelled at Lebanon Valley College (30 goals in his first three college seasons), has scored one goal and added two assists in nine appearances and logging a total of 534 minutes with Steel City.  Lane, who helped lead Robert Morris to Horizon League Championship in the Fall, has made six appearances with a total of 671 minutes in goal since making his debut with the club. 

On the eve of the Pittsburgh Riveters SC first-ever postseason appearance, the squad's Head Coach, Scott Gibson sat down with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky for an insightful interview session.  Having been there to help foster the start and as a constant in the incremental growth and ascension of the Riverhounds Development Academy, Gibson was tabbed to take the role as the first-ever coach of W League League squad that would play at Highmark Stadium and generate a new level of excitement for women's soccer. Among topics Gibson discusses includes: Whirlwind first season at helm Ups and downs of first-ever campaign Building a team identity and style of play as Gibson cites: "You build culture, you build identity, and that kind of bleeds into how you play" Roster Building Thoughts on upcoming postseason match vs Minnesota Aurora and hosting Central Conference Semifinals and hoping to reach Sunday night's final and much more...   

Three Pittsburgh natives, Jack Shearer, Josh DiMatteo and Grant Glorioso are bringing professional indoor soccer back to the Steel City.On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, Shearer, DiMatteo and Glorioso join Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky to share more details about the new Major League Indoor Soccer franchise: Bridge City FC.    After years of playing Division I collegiate and professional indoor soccer in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), with teams like the Baltimore Blast and Harrisburg Heat, the trio is launching a new franchise, Bridge City FC, in the Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS).

When the Pittsburgh Riveters SC and Steel City FC face off for the second time this month on Friday night at Highmark Stadium (7 p.m. kickoff) in a high-stakes match with USL W League Great Forest Division top spot in the balance, both clubs will be showcasing rosters that will include more than four dozen players from the Greater Pittsburgh region.Focusing on this  match-up, many players on both rosters are from in and around the Greater Pittsburgh area.  Many of the players on both sides know each other very well.  There are many current college teammates, former high school and club teammates, along with each club having players from their respective current Academy teams.  Chances are, many of the players will be looking over at the other side, seeing a good friend or longtime teammate.  However, there are two players from these opposing clubs who know each other best: Robin Reilly and Regan Reilly.On a very special episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, PSN's John Krysinsky catches up with the former Latrobe High School standouts and siblings who have gone separate ways with their Academy and Club careers -- and now compete for each of Pittsburgh area's clubs in the USL W League.Regan is the older of the two, but is the middle sister of the family (oldest sister Morgan, attends Duquesne).  Regan, currently at Bowling Green University, lines up for Steel City FC.  Robin, who is a recent high school graduate who completed her degree early so she could attend West Virginia University this past Spring semester, wears the Riveters' Black & Gold and previously was with Riverhounds Development Academy.With the Riveters, Robin has played five matches (started one) in 142 minutes of action, while Regan has started six matches in seven appearances, logging 453 minutes.In the first match between the clubs, a 3-1 Riveters victory at Founders Field, Regan, and outside back/defender, started for Steel City but came off in the 66th minute, while Robin, an attacking winger, subbed on for the Riveters in the 80th minute, so the sisters avoided doing actual battle.In this in-depth interview, Regan and Robin discuss numerous topics including their respective soccer journeys, what it's been like growing up with each other and during a time when Pittsburgh womens/girls soccer has seen an explosion of talent, how each found their own pathway to play soccer at higher level, what's it been like to train and compete with their respective clubs, they discuss each other's playing style and attributes and much more.  

Steel City FC women's first team is preparing for the final weekend of the regular season in the club's first-go around in the USL W League. Head Coach Tom Ovenden jumps on with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky to talk about the season to this point, this Friday's high-stakes match-up vs Riveters at Highmark Stadium as both teams are vying for Great Forest Division top spot and more.  

In a special episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky is joined by Pittsburgh Riveters SC's Chloe Kuminkoski, who has started Glioma Research Fund, which has been backed by the team's Play for Change initiative.In this episode, John and Chloe discuss the Riverhounds and Riveters Play for Change Initiative, Chloe's post-graduate work and return to playing soccer in her hometown, how she got involved in establishing the fund in memory of her former classmate, Haley Weiss, and much more. More about Play for Change and Chloe Kuminkoski Glioma Research FundRiveters Play for Change is a ticketing program that allows fans to enjoy their favorite events while supporting charities chosen by Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Pittsburgh Riveters SC players.With every ticket purchase, $5 is donated to the charity selected by the player you choose to support.For the first year of the Pittsburgh Riveters and Riveters Play for Change, the team is supporting a single charity organized by one of their own: the Chloe Kuminkoski Glioma Research Fund.The Research Fund raises money to support pediatric brain cancer research and is a deeply personal cause for Chloe. She established the fund in memory of her former classmate, Haley Weiss, who lost her battle to brain cancer in 2021, and Chloe now is taking this opportunity to help others by combining her passions for soccer and medicine.plaTo purchase tickets for upcoming matches and have a portion of the proceeds go toward the Chloe Kuminkoski Glioma Research Fund visit RivetersSC.com 

In a special episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, one of our old friends and longtime PSN contributor, Matt Gajtka joins John Krysinsky to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a remarkable match and come-from-behind victory like none other for Pittsburgh Riverhounds against Keystone Derby rivals Harrisburg City Islanders John and Matt -- who were both there on that memorable night -- discuss what stands out now -- 10 years later from that match and how Pittsburgh soccer's landscape has been shaped since that time.More on the 'Miracle on the Mon'Those who have been following the Riverhounds, Pittsburgh soccer and our site closely over the years -- you probably know and have read all about it -- but for those who are new to our site, the Riverhounds and Pittsburgh soccer in general -- this was Pittsburgh soccer's equivalent of the 'Immaculate Reception'.On May 29, 2015, Pittsburgh Riverhounds battled back to defeat in-state rival, Harrisburg City Islanders, in dramatic fashion, overcoming 3-0, 4-2 and 5-3 (at start of stoppage time) deficits to pull off remarkable and unprecedented 6-5 victory.It was such a stunning finish.We'll probably never see something like it again.And 10 years later, it's safe to say, we haven't seen anything close to a match or a comeback like that.The Riverhounds' incredible comeback victory and the series that season the club had with its in-state rival, Harrisburg City Islanders, became the inspiration for my book, aptly named Miracle on the Mon, which was published and released five years ago this week.This book not only chronicles the events leading up to and from this remarkable soccer match, but also shares the backstory of the struggles and challenges of a lower division soccer club during a time when the professional soccer landscape in the United States was experiencing unprecedented transition and expansion.  The match took place only a few years after the opening of Highmark Stadium, as the Riverhounds were fighting for survival and relevance.

While there's been a lot of attention paid to another pre-professional women's soccer team in the Pittsburgh area -- Riveters SC, who made their debut last week, Steel City FC's women are taking another step forward as a club this year, as they move from UWS into the USL W-League -- where they'll compete in the same division as Riveters SC.Steel City FC will kick off their 2025 campaign this coming week, when they travel north to take on Erie Sports Center on Saturday (6 p.m.).Looking ahead to a new season, co-captains Emily Graeca and Helena Locateli along with Head Coach Tom Ovenden joined John Krysinsky on the latest episode of the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.