Meet the Riverhounds

Crew SC today announced its 2016 United Soccer League affilitate, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Want to find out a little more about the club? Here's what you need to know.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds were founded in 1999 by Belle Vernon, Pa.-native Paul Heasley, who wanted to create a club that could fuel the ambitions of youngsters in the region by giving them a pathway to become professional soccer players. That same year, the Riverhounds began play as a member of the USL's former A-League, compiling a 16-12 record in their inaugural season.

The Riverhounds landed at newly constructed Highmark Stadium for the 2013 season, after current owner Tuffy Shallenberger took control of the club and stadium that year.

The Riverhounds were an inaugural member of USL in its current form when the league was founded ahead of the 2011 season. Led by Head Coach Mark Steffens, the Riverhounds finished in fifth place in the USL's Eastern Conference this year, qualifying for the USL postseason. Steffens came to Pittsburgh at the beginning of the 2015 campaign after 18 years with the Charlotte Eagles, a club that he guided to the playoffs on 14 occasions, winning two USL Second Division titles. He is a member of the USL Hall of Fame and was named the USL Second Division Coach of the Year twice.

The Riverhounds also field a developmental side in the USL Professional Development League and operate a thriving youth academy with locations in Pittsburgh and Connellsville.

Riverhounds at a Glance