A truly historic week across the global and local sporting landscape brings a powerhouse edition of Sounding Off on Soccer!

We kick things off right from the press box in Los Angeles as host John Krysinsky welcomes back legendary sports journalist Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News. Fresh off covering the U.S. Men’s National Team’s commanding performance, Mike takes us inside the electric atmosphere of the World Cup on home soil. We dive deep into a vintage tactical display the likes of which we’ve never quite seen from the U.S. Men on this stage before. Mike also delivers the latest medical updates on Christian Pulisic’s injury status, breaks down the squad's intensifying preparations for Friday’s massive clash with Australia in Seattle, and even switches gears to give us his perspective as a renowned college basketball writer on the New York Knicks capturing their first NBA title since 1973 behind the chemistry of the "Nova Knicks" and Jalen Brunson's masterpiece.

Then, John shifts the focus back to local soil with a full sweep of the Western Pennsylvania soccer landscape. We break down the absolute tear our area pre-professional teams are on—including the red-hot Pittsburgh Riveters SC nearing a division crown and Steel City FC keeping the defensive standard high.

From there, we unpack the Riverhounds' gritty 1-0 win over Indy Eleven in front of another packed house at F.N.B. Stadium. John pulls from his years of experience as a competitor, coach, and journalist to tackle the social media chatter surrounding the Steel Army heavily booing returning championship goalkeeper Eric Dick, explaining why it was a masterclass in Soccer Gamesmanship 101.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just weeks away, and Mauricio Pochettino has officially set the roster for the USMNT.

The 26-man squad features massive tactical gambles, headline-grabbing snubs, and a heavy reliance on a select few stars to carry the load on home soil.

On this episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now Managing Editor John Krysinsky sits down with veteran sports journalist and Pittsburgh's own Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News.

Instead of a standard Q&A, John puts Mike on the hot seat at the start in a "Buy or Sell" segment, then togehter they look at the final squad, and dive deep into Mike's latest Sporting News column on why this tournament is Gio Reyna's ultimate legacy moment, and much more!

Summer soccer in Western Pennsylvania is officially in full swing, and this week the spotlight shines directly on the women’s pre-professional landscape.

Ahead of their anticipated USL W League season opener this Friday night, Pittsburgh Soccer Now sat down with two foundational pillars of the Steel City FC Women squad: defensive anchor Emily Graeca and veteran goalkeeper Payton O'Malley.

The duo represents a massive chunk of the veteran leadership driving Head Coach Tom Ovenden's roster this summer. Graeca, a standout defender at James Madison University and a DuBois area native, alongside O'Malley, the Chartiers Valley product now commanding the box at Bowling Green, bring elite NCAA Division I pedigree back to the Steel City locker room.

In a wide-ranging interview segment, the pair broke down everything from the club's unique family culture to high-stakes regional travel, upcoming tournament cameos, and a summer schedule loaded with local fireworks.

The partnership between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Borussia Dortmund moved from the front office to the pitch this week.

On Wednesday, the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex hosted youth athletes for the BVB International Academy North America tryouts—a landmark moment for the collaboration announced last year.

On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's caught up with BVB’s Dru Wright (Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America) and and the Steelers’ Reagan Berube (Sr Director Content and International Development) to discuss the tangible impact of this global bridge.

From coaching education and School of Excellence scouting to hosting flag football in Germany, learn how these two legendary organizations are leveraging their shared Steel City DNA to create a unique holistic environment for local players.

Topics and Highlights of the interview included: 

• The Steel City Synergy: How the shared industrial heritage and Black & Gold identity of Pittsburgh and Dortmund created a natural foundation for this partnership.
• A Very Real Connection: Why hosting youth tryouts at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is a major milestone in making the partnership tangible for local families.
• The BVB Way: Dru Wright explains the Heavy Metal football philosophy—high tempo, high intensity, and a focus on doing things the right way.
• Global Brand Expansion: Reagan Berube discusses the Steelers’ international efforts in Germany, including flag football camps and official watch parties at Signal Iduna Park.
• Player Pathways: Details on the School of Excellence program and the direct scouting line for Pittsburgh players (both male and female) to train in Germany.
• Holistic Development: Moving beyond pay-to-play to focus on building professional skill sets that serve athletes both on and off the pitch.
• Coaching Education: The commitment to developing local Western PA coaches through monthly calls and direct mentorship from BVB’s German staff.
• Future Vision: A look at the step-by-step growth of the collaboration and the potential for more international soccer events returning to Pittsburgh.

About the guests: 

Dru Wright, Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America

Dru is the gatekeeper of the "BVB Way." Dortmund is world-famous for its youth development (think Pulisic, Bellingham, Haaland). Wright’s goal is to ensure the Pittsburgh kids aren’t just wearing the badge but are actually learning the Dortmund methodology.

Reagan Berube, Sr Director Content and International Development, Pittsburgh Steelers

Reagan is a key architect of the Steelers' international expansion. Since the Steelers received NFL marketing rights for Germany in 2024, they’ve been aggressive in building a "home away from home" in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

In the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, host John Krysinsky is joined by Riverhounds and Riveters President Jeff Garner for an in-depth discussion on the rapidly evolving landscape of professional soccer in Pittsburgh.

From landmark corporate partnerships to the ambitious vision for F.N.B. Stadium, Garner pulls back the curtain on the business decisions driving the club's growth both on and off the pitch.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Corporate Power Play: Insights into the recent naming rights deal with FNB and the new partnership with Edgar Snyder & Associates. 
• Stadium Expansion & Timetable: How does the new corporate backing accelerate the plan for a 15,000-seat stadium, and what is the realistic timeline for seeing shovels in the ground?
• The World Cup 2026 Connection: With the World Cup looming, discuss the Riverhounds and Riveters efforts to capitalize on the momentum as they host events that have already been announced (USMNT Watch Parties at FNB Stadium) plus many other ways that they're getting involved with World Cup activities in and around the Greater Pittsburgh region.
• Additionally, Garner addresses potential expansion to grass surfaces as potential way to host national teams and FIFA sanctioned competitions and events.
• Riveters Year Two: Reflecting on the inaugural impact of the Pittsburgh Riveters and what fans can expect as the organization enters its second season of W League play.
• The Major Sports Narrative: Garner addresses the social media chatter head on —as he makes his case for the franchise's evolving place as an essential part of the City of Champions
• Fan Experience: A look at what’s working, from theme nights to matchday atmosphere, and the challenges the front office is working to overcome.

And much more!  

Pittsburgh native Nicky Kolarac, who has played for three different teams in the US Open Cup: Michigan Bucks, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Steel City FC, joined John Krysinsky on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast to discuss the historic match between the Riverhounds and Steel City.  

The match between the Riverhounds and Steel City (Tuesday, March 17 -- 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium) will be the first time two teams from the Pittsburgh area will face off against each other in the proper US Open Cup tournament since 1957 -- a span of nearly seven decades and 69 years!

John and Nicky discussed an array of topics, including: 

• How the Pittsburgh soccer landscape has changed since he was a young player 
• Playing in US Open Cup with three different clubs (Michigan Bucks -- 2014 PDL Champions, Riverhounds in 2015 and Steel City FC in 2024)
• Experience of being with Riverhounds in 2015 during its Open Cup run, when current Head Coach Rob Vincent scored in three straight matches during the Cup competition 
• Being brought to Steel City FC (initially Pittsburgh Hotspurs) to help provide leadership and veteran presence, eventually helping play a key role in building successful, winning culture, which has included three straight Division championships (2023 and 2024 in NPSL, 2025 in USL League Two) 
• Significance of the first match between two Pittsburgh clubs in the Open Cup since 1957!

And much more!  

On the newest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky is joined by Steel City FC's Nick Graeca and Grant McIntosh to discuss their upcoming Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match vs the Riverhounds

Among the topics discussed included: 

• Juggling post-collegiate life while still training and competing with Steel City FC
• How Steel City's roster evolved through Open Cup qualifying, building a strong player pool and rounding into form as the Open Cup and USL League Two season approaches 
• Thoughts on building on a successful first season in USL League Two 
• Importance of match between two Pittsburgh-area teams in the US Open Cup (First Match between two Pittsburgh clubs in USOC proper in 69 years) 
• What it will be like to have Steel City FC supporters and soccer family supporting them at Highmark Stadium 
• Importance of Open Cup friendlies against Robert Morris and Duquesne 
• Thoughts on facing the Riverhounds 

Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky and Mark Goodman are back and ready on a new Episode of Sounding Off on Soccer to discuss the new season as the Riverhounds get set to defend its USL Championship title. 

However, will the season start on time?  

The USLPA and USL Headquarters continue to negoiate in good faith, but with less than 48 hours before kickoff, there is still no new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and the league. 

 John and Mark share their thoughts on the 11th Hour negoiations, then roll up their sleeves to discuss some of the Five Burning Questions for the Riverhounds as they begin their title defense under a new, permanent Head Coach, Rob Vincent, then make their Annual predictions.  

On Friday, Steel City FC and the Riverhounds announced that its historic US Open Cup match has been moved to Highmark Stadium -- on March 17, at 7 p.m.  
  

This seemed like a great opportunity to bring back and check in with Tom Ovenden and Dan Brower, Steel City FC's owner/president and the men's first team Head Coach to discuss the match and the club's efforts to partner with the Riverhounds in hosting the Open Cup match.   

Robbie Mertz is back for another season with his hometown club, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

This time he comes back to the club, with a new contract, as a champion, postseason hero and even more determined to contribute in contributing to the Riverhounds' standard of success that has been part of his tenures with the team.

As the Hounds kick off the preseason, Mertz joins John Krysinsky on the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast for a revealing and compelling in-depth interview.  

Among the topics John and Robbie discuss included:

• reflections on last season's remarkable postseason run, the team's resilience in overcoming adversity, dealing with what he described as a 'shocking' coaching change, finding a way to score the biggest goal in club history after missing golden chances the previous week, then experiencing hospitalization from exhaustion
• signing a new contract and looking forward to a transition to the new season as Rob Vincent has been implemented as the permanent Head Coach and what his role will be with the team 
• the continuing efforts of the USLPA to bring higher standards for players and reach a new collective bargaining agreement with the league -- as negotiations are still at a standstill 

Mertz, 29, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of nearby Upper St. Clair High School, has been a mainstay for the Hounds since signing with his hometown club as a rookie in 2019. While he did have a short stint with Atlanta United 2 starting in 2021, he rejoined the Hounds via transfer midway through the 2022 season and will be entering his seventh season with the team.