Sounding Off on Soccer with John Krysinsky

In this episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, John Krysinsky sits down with former Robert Morris University standout and Steel City FC leader
Gabe Norris to dive deep into all things Pittsburgh soccer!

Gabe breaks down Steel City FC’s thrilling Round 1 penalty-kick victory over Croatia Cleveland—including walking up to hit the game-winning spot-kick in the fifth round. Plus, we talk about the transition under head coach Jonathan Velotta, the influx of elite local talent, and their upcoming U.S. Open Cup Second Round qualifier against FC New York this Saturday night at UPMC Graham Field (6:00 PM).

In this episode:

Riverhounds & Pitt Recap: John breaks down the Hounds' West Coast heartbreak in Irvine and analyzes Pitt Men's Soccer climbing to #2 in national RPI.

• Fact or Fiction?: Gabe Norris weighs in on hypothetical Open Cup free kicks against the Riverhounds at F.N.B. Stadium.
• Evaluating Anders Bordery: Gabe shares his thoughts on watching Anders grow from youth soccer to becoming a game-changer for Jay Vidovich’s Pitt Panthers.
• RMU & Local Culture: Reflections on Robert Morris’ Horizon League championship legacy, goalkeeper Josh Lane, and the growing pipeline of local talent representing Steel City FC.

Point Park Men’s Soccer is well into its new era in NCAA Division II. 

In this episode, managing editor John Krysinsky (and himself a former Point Park player and coach) sits down with Head Coach Cameron Williams alongside transfer additions Nikolas Suarez and Yves Agbodoh. 

The group discusses the physical jump from the NAIA to D2, the team’s international locker room dynamic, navigating the competitive Mountain East Conference (MEC), and their favorite spots around Downtown Pittsburgh.   

With the regular-season finish line in sight, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC head to Keyworth Stadium for a massive Rust Belt Derby against Detroit City FC.

On this episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin joins John Krysinsky to discuss the high-stakes stretch run in the Eastern Conference.

What we cover in this episode:

• The intensity and atmosphere of playing at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck
• Shifting roles: Danny's tactical flexibility in the midfield and moving into wide attacking spaces
• Midfield depth, grinding out 1-0 results, and building momentum for the postseason
• Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at PNC Park with Robbie Mertz catching
• Locker room and household banter ahead of the Steelers vs. Patriots matchup

Read the full Riverhounds Notebook (to be posted Friday) and match coverage on Pittsburgh Soccer Now: https://pittsburghsoccernow.com

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On this edition of Sounding Off on Soccer, we set the table for the 2026 Men’s Soccer Cross-Tahn Derby as Robert Morris (2-1-0) hosts unbeaten Duquesne (2-0-1) on Sunday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex!

First, RMU’s veteran senior goalkeeper Josh Lane stops by to talk about his senior campaign, winning a Horizon League title in 2024, his summer leading Steel City FC, and what it takes to defend home turf in city derby fixtures.

Toward the end of Josh's segment, his summer Steel City FC teammates and Duquesne senior captains Ashwin Menon and Jaxon Ervin jump in to exchange mutual respect before taking over the mic. Ashwin and Jaxon discuss the Dukes’ strong 2-0-1 start, playing under head coach Chase Brooks, providing leadership to a deep roster, and preparing for Sunday's clash in Moon Township.

Finally, PSN summer intern Kevin Hutchinson joins to reflect on his "Summer of Soccer in Pittsburgh." Kevin breaks down his experience covering the Riverhounds, Riveters, Steel City FC, World Cup fan festivities, the GPSL Final, and key takeaways from his time on the beat.

Match Details Teaser: ⚽ 2026 Cross-Tahn Derby: Duquesne at Robert Morris 🗓️ Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM EDT 📍 Location: North Athletic Complex (Moon Twp, PA) 📺 Streaming: ESPN+

The last two derby meetings produced a wild 2-2 draw on Rooney Field in 2025 and a 3-0 RMU victory over a ranked Duquesne squad in 2024. Don't miss Sunday's action!

As the 2026 college soccer season kicks off, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky sits down with Pitt Men's Soccer Head Coach Jay Vidovich and senior midfielder Logan Oliver.

Coach Vidovich reflects on his journey at Pitt, setting the standard for the program, and bringing in former players like Bryce Cregan, Robby Dambrot, and Will Bagrou to his coaching staff to reinforce program culture. Logan Oliver shares his path from the Philadelphia Union Academy to Indiana and ultimately Pitt, detailing what makes Coach Vidovich's tactical identity unique and how this year's squad is locked in for a deep postseason run.

Key 

• 00:00 – Opening & Welcome
• 00:30 – Coach Jay Vidovich on entering his 10th+ season and contract extension through 2028
• 02:15 – Rebuilding the roster, portal additions, and culture resetting
• 04:50 – Former Panthers returning to the coaching staff
• 06:30 – Logan Oliver on his transfer journey and leadership role
• 08:45 – Demands of Pitt’s system, bravery on the ball, and team chemistry
• 11:00 – Preparing for the season opener vs. Maryland at Ambrose Urbanic Field

College soccer is filled with world-class athletic talent, compelling storylines, and high-stakes conference battles—yet traditional media coverage frequently ignores the college game until NCAA Tournament's selection Sunday -- and even then -- coverage can be limited.

That void is the driving motivation behind our newest weekly feature: College Soccer Central with John Krysinsky.

Drawing on background as a long-time soccer journalist across numerous outlets and ventures including the past eight years with Pittsburgh Soccer Now, combined with his direct experience on the touchline as former head coach at Point Park University, this show will serve as a dedicated platform for college soccer, posted weekly on Pittsburgh Soccer Now's YouTube Channel and simulcast on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.  

Every week, we’ll dive deep into tactical trends, program updates, and exclusive interviews with Division I coaches and players from across our region—expanding seamlessly to national coverage and NCAA Tournament breakdowns as the postseason approaches.

To kick off Episode 1 of College Soccer Central, we turn our attention to Moon Township to check in on the Robert Morris University Women’s Soccer program as they prepare for their third season under Head Coach Michelle Rick.

Building Stability in Moon Township

When Michelle Rick took over the RMU program prior to the 2024 season, she immediately brought structure and tournament consistency, guiding the Colonials into back-to-back Horizon League postseason runs.

Entering her third year, Coach Rick has established a clear tactical identity built on high-tempo pressing, defensive organization, and strong locker room culture.

Trethewey's Breakthrough

A critical piece of that RMU blueprint is senior forward Ava Trethewey. Coming off an elite campaign where she led the Colonials in scoring and earned All-Horizon League honors, Trethewey has transformed into one of the most dangerous attacking outlets in the conference.

Trethewey spent her summer competing in the USL W League with Brevard Riptide SC, sharpening her physical durability and clinical finishing inside the 18-yard box.

Putting a Bow on World Cup 2026 with USBWA Hall of Famer Mike DeCourcy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in the books, and on this final post-mortem episode, John Krysinsky brings back Mike DeCourcy (The Sporting News) -- who was there -- to break down Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at MetLife (NY/NJ) Stadium. 

More than just a World Cup recap, this episode celebrates a monumental milestone: Lat Sunday's final was Mike’s last official event as a full-time sports writer and columnist for The Sporting News after 37 years of Hall of Fame journalism. 

John and Mike discuss:
• The growing soccer culture and jersey-wearing youth in the U.S.
• Nuance in evaluating the USMNT's World Cup performance
• Spain's "Billie Eilish" quiet brilliance on the pitch
• Lionel Messi's final World Cup curtain call and staggering legacy
• Mike's reflections on his 37-year career, his Point Park University roots, and the emotional text from FIFA that sealed his retirement assignment.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction & Celebrating Mike DeCourcy’s Legacy
26:10 - The Generational Shift in U.S. Soccer Culture
29:06 - Re-evaluating the USMNT: Historic Firsts vs. Belgium Disappointment
30:08 - The Aging Core Ahead of World Cup 2030
32:03 - Press Box Reflections: Spain’s Victory & The "Billie Eilish" Metaphor
34:08 - The FIFA Credential Text: The Moment Retiring Hit Home
36:12 - 37 Years of Journalism, Point Park Roots, and Gratitude to Readers

Read Mike's retirement feature and World Cup coverage on The Sporting News.
Follow John Krysinsky on Twitter/X: @JohnKrysinsky
Follow Pittsburgh Soccer Now: @PghSoccerNow

If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Lead broadcast analyst Devon Kerr rejoins John Krysinsky for an unfiltered, no-holds-barred edition of Sounding Off on Soccer.

Devon was in the booth at FNB Stadium calling the Hounds' national broadcast victory over Louisville City FC. 

In this episode, he gives his candid thoughts on Trevor Amann’s historic 3-minute, 27-second hat trick, assesses the Riverhounds' mid-season progress under Rob Vincent, and breaks down why the USL Championship playoff race is completely wide open.

In this episode:

• The Raw Reaction to History: Devon’s perspective calling the fastest hat trick in league history.
• No-Holds-Barred USL Assessment: Real separation in the East vs. complete unpredictability in the West.
• Riverhounds Identity Check: What this 7W-6L-2D group needs in the final third over the last 15 matches.
• ACC Men's Soccer Realities: Early thoughts on what to expect from Pitt and Jay Vidovich against a grueling schedule.

Steel City FC Men's First Team Head Coach Dan Brower joins John Krysinsky on Sounding Off on Soccer to reflect on a remarkable era for the club as he prepares to step down from the touchline.

Under Brower's guidance, Steel City FC evolved from its grassroots academy roots into a national USL League Two power—culminating in a 2026 Great Forest Division Title, an undefeated regular season, and the club’s first-ever USL2 postseason victory last week.  

In this episode, John and Dan discuss: 

⚽️ The decision to step down and the evolution of Steel City FC's "family culture"

⚽️ Blending local Western PA talent with incoming collegiate standouts

⚽️ Breaking down the 2026 playoff run: The indoor 1-0 win over Northern Indiana and the battle in Flint

⚽️ Player development, trust, and hearing testimonials from program leaders

⚽️ Dan's experience traveling to watch the USMNT in the World Cup Round of 16

⚽️ What lies ahead for both Dan and the Steel City FC program

Before boarding the bus to Flint, Michigan, for the USL League Two Central Conference Playoffs, Steel City FC standouts Ryan Kopay and Jaxon Ervin sat down with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky.

The Great Forest Division champions capped off a historic, undefeated regular season (conceding only three goals across 12 matches!) and are now slated for a Round of 32 clash against Northern Indiana FC at Atwood Stadium on Friday, July 17 at 4:00 PM ET.

In this episode, Jaxon and Ryan dive deep into their local roots—having grown up playing youth soccer together with Beadling SC in Western Pennsylvania before embarking on successful college careers (Jaxon at Duquesne and West Allegheny; Ryan at Moon, Akron, and Fairleigh Dickinson). They discuss what it means to return home each summer, the unique bond of this tightly-knit Pittsburgh roster, and the mental preparation required to survive the "one-and-done" crucible of the USL League Two postseason.

Episode Highlights:

• **** The historic, undefeated regular season: Analyzing Steel City's incredible defensive record (9 clean sheets, 3 goals conceded).
• **** Western PA Roots: How playing together at youth powerhouse Beadling SC built a lifelong chemistry that translates to the pitch today.
• **** Local Pride: The meaning of wearing the Steel City FC crest and representing Pittsburgh on the pre-professional national stage.
• **** Postseason Mentality: Breaking down the Friday matchup against Northern Indiana FC and preparing for the hostile, high-stakes environment at Atwood Stadium in Flint.
• **** College Journeys: Balancing their summer campaign with their collegiate seasons (Duquesne and Fairleigh Dickinson).

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