PITTSBURGH (December 9, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have brought back four more members from their 2016 squad, exercising contract options on Ryan Adeleye, Danny Earls, Jack Thompson and Nick Thompson.
The latest roster move, along with the option exercised on Corey Hertzog and one-year deal signed by Devaughn Elliott earlier this week, gives the Hounds 13 players under contract for the 2017 season.
“This group of players is an important part of the team,” said head coach Dave Brandt. “Jack is still one of the younger guys at 24, and I still think has best soccer ahead of him. Guys like Ryan and Danny have a depth of experience at multiple levels, while Nick does too, in both playing and in the coaching realm. Each one of these players, from a competitive standpoint, from an experience standpoint, will help the club in growing and achieving what we’re trying to do moving forward in 2017.”
Nick Thompson, 28, led the group of four in appearances at 17 this past season. Signed in June, Thompson played primarily at forward, finishing the year with two goals on 14 shots. His brother, Jack, 24, also signed in June, played both midfield and defense for the Hounds in 16 appearances.
For Adeleye, 29, he signed with the Hounds in July from Israeli football club Hapoel Jerusalem F.C. of Liga Leumit. Playing primarily at center back, Adeleye received minutes in 10 matches total on the season.
Lastly, Earls, 27, will return for his fourth year with the club. The Wicklow Town, Ireland native, most notably, captained Pittsburgh in 2015 to its eighth playoff appearance in club history. He rejoined the Hounds in 2016 in early June, helping stabilize the midfield in 13 appearances.
Of note, Earls’ season was cut short in August after a late challenge and altercation with the referee at Harrisburg earned him a red card and a subsequent eight-game suspension. The suspension covered the final five matches of the 2016 season and will carry over into the first three matches of 2017.
The current roster for the 2017 season is as follows:
Ryan Adeleye (Club option exercised in December)
Kay Banjo (Signed to one-year deal on November 23)
Keasel Broome (Signed to one-year deal on November 11)
Shane Campbell (Signed to one-year deal on November 23)
Ritchie Duffie (Signed to one-year deal on November 15)
Danny Earls (Club option exercised in December)
Devaughn Elliott (Signed to one-year deal on December 8)
Corey Hertzog (Club option exercised in December)
Kevin Kerr (Already under contract)
John Manga (Signed to one-year deal on November 15)
Jack Thompson (Club option exercised in December)
Nick Thompson (Club option exercised in December)
Chevaughn Walsh (Already under contract)