June 5, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
In a word, Rob Vincent can be described as versatile.
Vincent not only demonstrated this versatility while playing professionally in Pittsburgh and MLS, but also in his transition this season from coaching for the Riverhounds Academy to becoming an assistant coach for the Hounds’ pro team.
A Liverpool, England, native, Vincent attended the University of Charleston in West Virginia, becoming a Division II All-American in each of his four years playing collegiately. He signed his first pro contract with the Riverhounds in 2013, and in his three years for the club, he went from playing as a holding midfielder to becoming, at the time, the leading regular-season scorer in the club’s modern era. As of 2024, he is seventh in team history with 29 goals in his 89 appearances.
Vincent made the jump to MLS in 2016, playing for D.C. United. He played 23 total games with a pair of goals for D.C. United, including a playoff appearance in 2016, before retiring after the 2017 season. After a successful playing career, Vincent returned to Pittsburgh to advance as a coach. Now on the pro team’s coaching staff, he is ready to win.
His experience as a player clearly contributes to his coaching approach and doesn’t go unnoticed by head coach Bob Lilley.
“I mean, he is a very good player, smart player. He could play multiple positions. I think he understands the game in different ways, having been a versatile player. He’s definitely a student of the game,” Lilley said when asked what stands out about his newest assistant.
Vincent joined the Academy staff in 2018, helping to grow the game of soccer in Pittsburgh, but also growing his own understanding of the game.
“I think it was a super valuable six years that I spent with the Academy, because I went from playing, and I think when you are a player, you think you know a lot more than you do about the game,” Vincent said.
“You think you know or have it all figured out, and when you start coaching, you realize there’s a lot of little, intricate details that either players don’t know or they need to be reminded of.”
During his time with the Academy, where he coached some of the club’s ECNL Girls teams, Vincent was dedicated to developing players and helping to advance toward their individual goals.
Rob Vincent sets up before the Hounds’ match June 1 against Indy Eleven. (Photo: Ryan Shaffer/Riverhounds SC)
“The focus at the Academy is…
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