After getting its core group of returnees situated on the 2026 roster, the Riverhounds have begun the process of filling its most pertinent needs.
One of those areas was in the goalkeeper position — so they went out and found a former Pitt goalkeeper Nico Campuzano, bringing the former University of Pittsburgh netminder back to the Steel City on a deal for 2026 with a club option for 2027. The deal is pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.
“We got to know Nico during his time at Pitt, and we’re excited to welcome him back to the city. He’s an elite shot stopper and also very comfortable with the ball at his feet,” Sporting Director Dan Visser said.
Campuzano, 27, led the USL Championship with 84 saves for Monterey Bay in 2025, posting a .677 save percentage across 28 matches in his lone season in California. It was his fourth team in as many seasons in the pro ranks, having debuted in 2022 with FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS Next Pro, spending 2023 with New England Revolution 2 — where he recorded six clean sheets in 12 regular-season starts — and moving to USL League One in 2024 with Lexington SC.
Prior to turning pro, Campuzano had a strong college career that began at the University of Portland in 2018-19 before coming to Pitt as a graduate transfer. With Pitt, he was the starting goalkeeper for the team as it reached the 2020 NCAA College Cup semifinals (played in Spring 2021 due to the pandemic), and he twice earned All-ACC honors, making the First Team in 2020 and Third Team in 2021.
A native of Los Corrales de Buelna on Spain’s northern coast, Campuzano played his youth soccer with some of the country’s most prestigious clubs, including Racing Santander near his hometown to begin his teen years and finishing with two seasons at Barcelona and one at Villarreal.
Campuzano will join former Pitt teammate, Jackson Walti as two former Panthers standouts on the current Hounds’ roster.
The last former Pitt keeper to wear the Riverhounds’ uniform was Dan Lynd, who was the club’s primary keeper during the 2018 season.
Ironically, in Hounds 3-0 win at Monterey Bay, Walti scored and a had an assist against his fellow Pitt alum.
The Riverhounds and USL Championship announced the 2026 schedule in December.
The Hounds will begin its title defense facing Old Guard rival, Charleston Battery, on the road, on March 7. Pittsburgh’s regular season home opener will be played on March 28, when the Hounds host expansion side, Jacksonville.
Riverhounds Off Season Roster Build Progress
In his first season Visser began the roster build in the off season prior to December 1 deadline by picking up team option to retain four players, center backs Guillaume Vacter and Beto Ydrach, outside back Perrin Barnes and midfielder Jorge Garcia.
Additionally, two cornerstones of the club’s success, Danny Griffin and Robbie Mertz have been re-signed to new deals through 2027 that also include team options in 2028.
They will return in 2026 alongside four players already under contract: outside back Junior Etou, center back Illal Osumanu, midfielder Charles Ahl and forward Brigham Larsen.
The club declined its 2026 options on six players — Chase Boone, Jason Bouregy, Max Broughton, Bertin Jacquesson, Ben Martino and Augi Williams.
In addition, goalkeeper Eric Dick announced he will not be returning to Pittsburgh (inked a new deal with hometown Indy Eleven), Sean Suber also announced he won’t be back (team TBA), then on Tuesday, Phoenix Rising SC announced the signing of Luke Biasi.
John K’s Initial Thoughts on the signing of Nico Campuzano
If you go back and watch the Hounds 3-0 win against Monterey Bay, Campuzano was under pressure for most of the match — and held his own.
Getting an opportunity to get valuable experience in the form of 28 league matches with a struggling Monterey Bay squad certainly has prepared Campuzano, who has been battle-tested.
Having an opportunity to play with core pieces of a stellar championship squad’s defenders and holding mids, including Guillaume Vacter, Beto Ydrach, Walti, Bradley Sample, Etou, Barnes and Griffin — Campuzano and additional keepers brought should have an opportunity to blossom.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2026 roster (as of 12/1/2025)
Junior Etou — MF — (re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
Illal Osumanu — D –(re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
Charles Ahl –MF — (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
Brigham Larsen — F — (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
Jorge Garcia — MF — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
Guillaume Vacter — D — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
Beto Ydrach — D — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
Perrin Barnes — D — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
Bradley Sample — MF (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
Jackson Walti — MF (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
Danny Griffin — MF / Captain (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
Robbie Mertz — MF (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
Remaining players from Riverhounds 2025 roster who were out of contract on December 1
Aidan O’Toole — MF — came into the season expecting to have a bigger role, then succumbed to knee injury. May have to work his way back into a USL roster next season.
Jacob Randolph — GK — two seasons as the primary back-up behind Dick and under the tutelage of Jon Busch certainly provided the young keeper with an excellent opportunity as an understudy.
Academy Contract
Pablo Linzoain — M, F — (USL Academy Contract) — After starting with the first-team in 2024 under Academy Contract, the former Fox Chapel High School product transitioned to playing in College where he played 11 matches (four starts) at Davidson University. It will be interesting to see if any current or prospective Academy players will be added to next year’s roster.
Players out of contract who announced they won’t return to Pittsburgh
Eric Dick — GK — Signed with Indy Eleven
Sean Suber — D — announced on December 6, he won’t return to club
Luke Biasi – D / W — Signed with Phoenix Rising FC
Players from 2025 roster who the club opted not to pick up team option (and updated 2026 status)
Chase Boone
Jason Bouregy
Max Broughton – Signed by FC Naples (USL League One)
Bertin Jacquesson
Ben Martino
Augi Williams – Announced he won’t return to Pittsburgh but 2026 team not revealed
John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).
