Sounding Off on Soccer with John Krysinsky: Recent Episodes
John Krysinsky
Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky talks all things soccer, including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, collegiate and scholastic competition, MLS, Premier League, International Soccer and more.
The Women's World Cup is in full swing, so it's a great time to bring Pittsburgh native and The Sporting News columnist, Mike DeCourcy back on the Sounding Off on Soccer podcast.
Mike and Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky talk about the U.S. Women's National Team's chances for a three-peat, what are the most intriguing storylines at the World Cup, a few of his feature stories on the most compelling USWNT players Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe and young forward Sophia Smith.
Plus, John and Mike also take a few moments to discuss the veteran sports writer's recent column as part of The Sporting News' series on top athletes from each City, with his Pittsburgh sports Mt. Rushmore.
John and Rachael also discuss Pitt women's soccer coach Randy Waldrum's role in dealing with the ongoing challenges as Nigeria's head coach as he's been outspoken about the lack of support from the Nigerian National Football Federation and Rachael gives some of her insights on the USWNT and who some of the other teams who could snatch the Cup from the Americans.
n the latest edition of Sounding Off on Soccer with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky, Rachael Kriger jumps on to talk about her exclusive interview with American soccer icon Lauren Gregg in light of her exclusion from being with the Nigerian Women's National Team at the World Cup. John and Rachael also discuss Pitt women's soccer coach Randy Waldrum's role in dealing with the ongoing challenges as Nigeria's head coach as he's been outspoken about the lack of support from the Nigerian National Football Federation and Rachael gives some of her insights on the USWNT and who some of the other teams who could snatch the Cup from the Americans.
In addition, Steel City FC men's soccer team have completed an unbeaten regular season (10-0-2), and will now await the winner of Cleveland SC-Michigan Rangers in the NPSL's Great Lakes Conference Final on Saturday at Founder's' Field. Steel City's veteran midfielder Nicky Kolarec joins the pod to share more about his team's success this season and the excitement leading up to Saturday's big match.
Pitt women's soccer head coach Randy Waldrum is gearing up for a trip down under, to Australia, as he will lead the Nigerian Women's National Team into the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. In this interview with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky, Waldrum uses this forum to sound off about his concerns and criticisms of the Nigerian Football Federation, which has limited opportunities for the veteran coach to offer training and preparation for the Nigerian players, while also fueling added controversy by interfering with his selection of the 23-player squad.
Pittsburgh Soccer Now/Pittsburgh Sports Now correspondent, Dominic Campbell, who covered Saturday's Riverhounds 2-1 come-from-behind win at Highmark Stadium joins John Krysinsky on the podcast to talk about the Hounds latest win. In addition, John and Dom talk about Pitt men's soccer's impressive collection of players who are now in the pros, and they take a preliminary look at which players will be returning to the Panthers in the fall.
This Saturday promises to be quite a day for soccer fans in the United States and in Pittsburgh, as both the World Cup and NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Tournament will provide a doubleheader that includes Pitt men's soccer team in the Elite Eight (1 p.m. ET at Ambrose Urbanic Field), preceded by the U.S. Men's National Team's return to the World Cup's knockout stage (vs Holland, 10 a.m. Fox Sports).
A US and Pittsburgh soccer coaching icon, John Kowalski, along with Peter Smith, a former professional who had stints with USMNT and US Futsal National teams talk about their origins with US Men's Soccer program, and the big match up between US-England at the World Cup; Former English professional footballer, James Meara, who has made his mark in the coaching ranks in Pittsburgh and currently the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy East Director, provide the English perspective in the big World Cup match-up.
Among the banter and fun the group had in this pre-World Cup pod included:
- Favorite World Cup memory
- Messi or Ronaldo?
- Can USMNT get to KO round?
- The PSN World Cup Draft Contest (each member picked two teams from each group)
- Predictions for Groups & Final
For the first time ever, both Pitt men's and women's soccer programs are still playing postseason games in the NCAA tournament, at the same time.
On Monday, Pitt men learned that they've earned a fourth consecutive berth to the big dance, receiving an at-large bid. The men will face Horizon League champion, Cleveland State, on Thursday night, at Ambrose Urbanic Field.
The women won their first-ever tournament game on Saturday, on a very wet and cold night at Ambrose, thanks in large part to super sub Leah Pais, who converted on her chance in the 85th minute, to give the Panthers a 1-0 win vs Buffalo.
In the latest edition of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky and Dom Campbell talk about NCAA Soccer Tournament Fever that has taken over the University of Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Pitt men's soccer team both experienced set-backs this past weekend, and in their last seven combined matches, they're each without a win.
Mark Goodman joins John Krysinsky to take a look at the Riverhounds recent struggles including this past Saturday's 1-0 loss to Western Conference leaders, San Antonio FC.
Then, John is joined by Dominic Campbell, who has covered the last two Pitt home matches at Ambrose Urbanic Field for Pittsburgh Soccer Now, including this past Friday's stunning 3-1 loss to Virginia.
John Krysinsky catches up with Zac Weiss who covers Duquesne's men's and women's soccer teams for PSN, and men's Head Coach Chase Brooks joins them to talk about his team as they're about to embark on the Atlantic 10 schedule as they're coming off an impressive start to the season, posting a 5-0-1 non-conference record.
Riverhounds SC will hold a special ceremony to induct former Hounds coach, general manager and television broadcaster Gene Klein to the Riverhounds Hall of Fame at halftime of the Hounds’ home game Saturday, Sept. 10 against Louisville City FC at Highmark Stadium.
Klein will become the sixth member of the team’s Hall of Fame and the first to be inducted after the original class was named in 2019. The ceremony will be the highlight of the team’s Throwback Night promotion, and many of Klein’s former players from the Hounds will be in attendance for the induction.
Scheduled to introduce Klein for induction are Justin Evans, the Hounds Hall of Famer who played under Klein and was his successor as head coach, and Paul Child, the former Pittsburgh Spirit star and Klein’s longtime colleague as a coach and broadcaster.
If there's one soccer broadcast analyst who has his finger on the pulse of both the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and the University of Pittsburgh men's soccer team it's Devon Kerr.
Among the topics Devon shared his insights included:
- Impact of Pitt's new addition have in making the Panthers a legit ACC and NCAA College Cup contender
- Pitt Head Coach Jay Vidovich's tactical foundation and ability to build around talented players
- 21st Century College Soccer Model -- will it ever happen?
- Looking back at Riverhounds SC disappointing draw vs Charleston and their current run of form against teams they're expected to beat
- Does Bob Liley overthink things too much?
- Can the Hounds finish strong against a tough schedule?
Rachael Kriger joins John on the podcast to take a closer look at the Pitt women's soccer program, as they aim for their third straight winning season and first-ever berth in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
This Saturday, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (13-6-4) will face a challenging home match versus much improved Memphis 901 FC with an opportunity to jump ahead to third place in the standings.
It won't be easy.
PSN's John Krysinsky caught up with The Daily Memphian's John Varlas, who covers the club which boasts former USMNT/EPL keeper Tim Howard as Sporting Director and part-owner, and has suddenly surged forward to become a serious contender in the USL Championship for the first time in its four-year existence,
The Riverhounds SC are red hot.
So are the rest of teams ahead of them in the standings.
Despite being unbeaten in its last seven matches (6-0-1), the Hounds remain in fourth place in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference standings, behind Louisville City FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies and this week's opponent, Memphis 901 FC.
John and Dan Angell talk about their current form, including their latest win at Indy Eleven.
John and Mike discuss current USMNT player selections as we inch closer to the 2022 World Cup later this Fall and WInter, the transition period for the USWNT as their World Cup year approaches in 2023 and much more on the beautiful game.
Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky is joined by Nicky Kolarac, who has become one of Pittsburgh soccer's biggest ambassadors and currently the captain of Pittsburgh Hotspurs men's first division team which competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
Nicky played at West Allegheny High School, collegiately at St. Francis (PA), and professionally for numerous clubs including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (in 2015 & 2016).
John and Nicky discuss the Hotspurs rise as a club, the excitement of competing the NPSL playoffs and facing Cleveland SC for the sixth time in the past two years. In addition, they reminisce about Nicky's experiences as a professional, including being part of the 'Miracle on the Mon', those Hounds teams in '15 & '16, playing with and against Neco Brett and much, much more.
Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky is joined by Jordan Smith to discuss the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC as they've passed the midway point of the 2022 season with a 10-6-3 overall record in the USL Championship.
Jordan and John take a deep dive into the first half of the season and what we can expect for the rest of the season, as the Hounds (currently in 4th place - tied with Detroit City FC), look to move up and contend for a top spot in the standings.
If you include the U.S. Open Cup, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC have lost their last four matches on the road, including the latest, 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay, on Saturday night.
The Hounds (now 7-3-1 in league play) dropped to fourth place in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference standings.
On this episode of 'Sounding Off on Soccer', Pittsburgh Soccer Now's Mark Goodman and John Krysinsky take a look as some reasons why the Hounds are struggling away from home early in the 2022 season.