Riverhounds look to replace key players, maintain high standards after memorable season

Coming off a historic year in which the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won its first USL Championship Players’ Shield as the top team in the regular season, there will be changes.

Key members of last season’s club Albert Dikwa, the USL Player of the Year, and Arturo Ordonez, the USL Defender of the Year, have moved on.

But there’s experience returning the midfield, and with some retooling in other areas, the Hounds plan to continue the consistent success the club has enjoyed in Bob Lilley’s tenure.

The Hounds kick off their 2024 season at New Mexico United at 4 p.m. Saturday.

“When you have the success that we had last year, you become a target, Lilley said. “It’s hard to keep those standards as high as they were last year, but if you want to create a culture of high standards, you can’t pick and choose. You have to do it consistently.

“The hope for us is that year after year we have the ambition to stay at the top and continue to keep our standards high. Every team has to build their own identity, though. Although we have some guys back, we have to put in the work. It starts over again, and it’s important that this team finds their path.”

The Hounds’ home opener is next Saturday against Orange County.

Last season ended in bitter fashion as the Hounds were upset by Detroit City, 1-0, in the first round of the playoffs.

Dikwa, who scored 20 goals last season, signed with USL Championship expansion club Rhode Island FC.

Pitt grad Edward Kizza returns to the forward group and likely will be paired with former Tottenham Hotspur prospect Kazaiah Sterling.

Sterling scored 48 goals over the last two years for USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta.

“Kizza works very hard, and we’re hoping he keeps growing,” Lilley said. “We felt like he was a big part of Dikwa’s success last year, because he does a lot of work and drags center backs around. Whoever he’s playing with benefits from all the little things he does off the ball.

“Kazaiah is a proven goal scorer in (USL) League One. Now our job is to show that he can do that in our league as well. He has good instincts in front of goal. I don’t think one player comes in and replaces Dikwa out of the gate, but we have some good options there.”

Babacar Diene, a 6-foot-5 first-year pro, is another option at striker.

Along with the departure of Ordonez, who signed with rival Louisville City, Joe Farrell (Hartford Athletic) and Nate Dossantos (Charleston Battery) also departed the back line.

Langston Blackstock, Michael DeShields, Dani Rovira, Pat Hogan, Illal Osumanu and Luke Biasi return and are joined by three newcomers: Pierre Cayet, Sean Suber and Jake Kent-Loop.

“We have players returning that when they played were capable last year and now will step into bigger roles,” Lilley said. “We’ve had a number of players over the years that maybe didn’t play much, but grew from year one to year two and were ready to take the next step.”

Another loss is Jamaican national Jahmali Waite, who was the starting keeper the last two years. Waite signed with El Paso.

The Hounds added veteran keeper Eric Dick, who spent some time in MLS with Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United. Rookie keepers Jacob Randolph and Gabriel Perrotta were also added.

Four mainstays in the midfield return, led by longtime captain Kenardo Forbes. Junior Etou, Danny Griffin and Upper St. Clair grad Robbie Mertz are back as well, giving the team an experienced base.

“That’s a strength for sure,” Lilley said. “It’ll be important that we play through those guys. They’re the ones that provide service for the forwards and can control the rhythm of the game. I think most teams will look at us and see the midfield as a strength for us.”

The Hounds added four rookies to the midfield stable, including West Allegheny and Duquesne grad Nate Dragisich.

Dragisich is the first player trained in the Riverhounds Development Academy to sign a professional contract with the first team.

“That’s a big plus for our organization and our academy,” Lilley said. “Our coaches there have grown and the visibility of our academy (has grown). (Dragisich) went on to Duquesne and did well. We tracked him. He can make the final pass and reads the game well. He’s got a lot of work to do to be consistent, but he had some good performances in the preseason. We’re excited to have him and hope to continue to help him grow as a player.”