June 27, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Academy players getting the chance to train with the pros might sound like a fun opportunity. But now that the Riverhounds Pathway Program is back and running, the players taking part have found out quickly that there’s a lot of hard work involved, too.
So far this year, seven academy players have been selected to take part in training with the Hounds’ pro team, and another four players are scheduled to get their chance in late July. For each of them, it is a chance to see everything that it takes to compete at that level and see what is necessary to reach their dream of making it on a professional roster.
The most recent set of players who trained with the team in June, Oliver Daboo, Alex Hauskrecht, Josh Jashinski and Nathan Katari, share the common thread of having at least another full year of high school, putting them in the ideal age range for players who could be signed to a USL Academy contract. And while it has been hard work, the player have been enjoying their time working with the pro team.
“It’s been pretty surreal, honestly. Growing up a Riverhounds fan and having been in the academy my whole life, and now to be actually here with the guys and playing with them, it feels special,” Daboo said.
“It’s been awesome. I’ve been at the Riverhounds for a really long time. To see the players and what they can do on the field, and then to be able to do it with them in training, it’s just awesome they get to live this life.” said Hauskrecht, a teammate of Daboo’s on the 2005 Boys academy team.
The boys have been challenged day-in and day-out in practice with the team. Not only have they contended with being 15- to 17-year-olds playing against grown men, but they have also been subjected to extremely hot conditions. And the demands of head coach Bob Lilley remain high on all his players in training, whether you’re a high schooler or a veteran like Kenardo Forbes or Dane Kelly.
“That’s been the toughest part. These guys are stronger and tougher than anyone we have ever played against. I think we are adapting well, but it’s definitely a massive change in pace.” Hauskrecht said.
“The first day was rough,” said Josh Jashinski, another member of the 05 Boys team. “You know the first day at it is just learning, but as the weeks go on, you can see as a group how we’ve been able to step up and try to keep up with them”
“When I go back and train with my normal team,…