Sounding Off on Soccer with John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky
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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.

  1. Aug 29

    College Soccer Central: Cross-Tahn Derby Preview with RMU's Josh Lane, Duquesne's Ashwin Menon, Jaxon Ervin & Summer Intern reflection with Kevin Hutchinson

    On this edition of Sounding Off on Soccer, we set the table for the 2026 Men’s Soccer Cross-Tahn Derby as Robert Morris (2-1-0) hosts unbeaten Duquesne (2-0-1) on Sunday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex! First, RMU’s veteran senior goalkeeper Josh Lane stops by to talk about his senior campaign, winning a Horizon League title in 2024, his summer leading Steel City FC, and what it takes to defend home turf in city derby fixtures. Toward the end of Josh's segment, his summer Steel City FC teammates and Duquesne senior captains Ashwin Menon and Jaxon Ervin jump in to exchange mutual respect before taking over the mic. Ashwin and Jaxon discuss the Dukes’ strong 2-0-1 start, playing under head coach Chase Brooks, providing leadership to a deep roster, and preparing for Sunday's clash in Moon Township. Finally, PSN summer intern Kevin Hutchinson joins to reflect on his "Summer of Soccer in Pittsburgh." Kevin breaks down his experience covering the Riverhounds, Riveters, Steel City FC, World Cup fan festivities, the GPSL Final, and key takeaways from his time on the beat. Match Details Teaser: ⚽ 2026 Cross-Tahn Derby: Duquesne at Robert Morris 🗓️ Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM EDT 📍 Location: North Athletic Complex (Moon Twp, PA) 📺 Streaming: ESPN+ The last two derby meetings produced a wild 2-2 draw on Rooney Field in 2025 and a 3-0 RMU victory over a ranked Duquesne squad in 2024. Don't miss Sunday's action!

    College Soccer Central: Cross-Tahn Derby Preview with RMU's Josh Lane, Duquesne's Ashwin Menon, Jaxon Ervin & Summer Intern reflection with Kevin Hutchinson

  2. Aug 18

    College Soccer Central: Pitt MSOC Head Coach Jay Vidovich & Senior MF Logan Oliver on Culture, Rebuilding, and 2026 Season Launch

    As the 2026 college soccer season kicks off, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky sits down with Pitt Men's Soccer Head Coach Jay Vidovich and senior midfielder Logan Oliver. Coach Vidovich reflects on his journey at Pitt, setting the standard for the program, and bringing in former players like Bryce Cregan, Robby Dambrot, and Will Bagrou to his coaching staff to reinforce program culture. Logan Oliver shares his path from the Philadelphia Union Academy to Indiana and ultimately Pitt, detailing what makes Coach Vidovich's tactical identity unique and how this year's squad is locked in for a deep postseason run. Key  00:00 – Opening & Welcome00:30 – Coach Jay Vidovich on entering his 10th+ season and contract extension through 202802:15 – Rebuilding the roster, portal additions, and culture resetting04:50 – Former Panthers returning to the coaching staff06:30 – Logan Oliver on his transfer journey and leadership role08:45 – Demands of Pitt’s system, bravery on the ball, and team chemistry11:00 – Preparing for the season opener vs. Maryland at Ambrose Urbanic Field

    College Soccer Central: Pitt MSOC Head Coach Jay Vidovich & Senior MF Logan Oliver on Culture, Rebuilding, and 2026 Season Launch

  3. Aug 10

    A new season, a new show -- College Soccer Central kicks off with Robert Morris WSOC's Michelle Rick and Ava Trethewey

    College soccer is filled with world-class athletic talent, compelling storylines, and high-stakes conference battles—yet traditional media coverage frequently ignores the college game until NCAA Tournament's selection Sunday -- and even then -- coverage can be limited. That void is the driving motivation behind our newest weekly feature: College Soccer Central with John Krysinsky. Drawing on background as a long-time soccer journalist across numerous outlets and ventures including the past eight years with Pittsburgh Soccer Now, combined with his direct experience on the touchline as former head coach at Point Park University, this show will serve as a dedicated platform for college soccer, posted weekly on Pittsburgh Soccer Now's YouTube Channel and simulcast on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast.   Every week, we’ll dive deep into tactical trends, program updates, and exclusive interviews with Division I coaches and players from across our region—expanding seamlessly to national coverage and NCAA Tournament breakdowns as the postseason approaches. To kick off Episode 1 of College Soccer Central, we turn our attention to Moon Township to check in on the Robert Morris University Women’s Soccer program as they prepare for their third season under Head Coach Michelle Rick. Building Stability in Moon Township When Michelle Rick took over the RMU program prior to the 2024 season, she immediately brought structure and tournament consistency, guiding the Colonials into back-to-back Horizon League postseason runs. Entering her third year, Coach Rick has established a clear tactical identity built on high-tempo pressing, defensive organization, and strong locker room culture. Trethewey's Breakthrough A critical piece of that RMU blueprint is senior forward Ava Trethewey. Coming off an elite campaign where she led the Colonials in scoring and earned All-Horizon League honors, Trethewey has transformed into one of the most dangerous attacking outlets in the conference. Trethewey spent her summer competing in the USL W League with Brevard Riptide SC, sharpening her physical durability and clinical finishing inside the 18-yard box.

    A new season, a new show -- College Soccer Central kicks off with Robert Morris WSOC's Michelle Rick and Ava Trethewey

  4. Jul 29

    Sounding Off on World Cup 2026: Spain’s Reign, Messi’s Farewell & A Fitting Finale for Mike DeCourcy

    Putting a Bow on World Cup 2026 with USBWA Hall of Famer Mike DeCourcy The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in the books, and on this final post-mortem episode, John Krysinsky brings back Mike DeCourcy (The Sporting News) -- who was there -- to break down Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at MetLife (NY/NJ) Stadium.  More than just a World Cup recap, this episode celebrates a monumental milestone: Lat Sunday's final was Mike’s last official event as a full-time sports writer and columnist for The Sporting News after 37 years of Hall of Fame journalism.  John and Mike discuss:• The growing soccer culture and jersey-wearing youth in the U.S.• Nuance in evaluating the USMNT's World Cup performance• Spain's "Billie Eilish" quiet brilliance on the pitch• Lionel Messi's final World Cup curtain call and staggering legacy• Mike's reflections on his 37-year career, his Point Park University roots, and the emotional text from FIFA that sealed his retirement assignment. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction & Celebrating Mike DeCourcy’s Legacy26:10 - The Generational Shift in U.S. Soccer Culture29:06 - Re-evaluating the USMNT: Historic Firsts vs. Belgium Disappointment30:08 - The Aging Core Ahead of World Cup 203032:03 - Press Box Reflections: Spain’s Victory & The "Billie Eilish" Metaphor34:08 - The FIFA Credential Text: The Moment Retiring Hit Home36:12 - 37 Years of Journalism, Point Park Roots, and Gratitude to Readers Read Mike's retirement feature and World Cup coverage on The Sporting News.Follow John Krysinsky on Twitter/X: @JohnKrysinskyFollow Pittsburgh Soccer Now: @PghSoccerNow If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

    Sounding Off on World Cup 2026: Spain’s Reign, Messi’s Farewell & A Fitting Finale for Mike DeCourcy

  5. Jul 23

    National analyst Devon Kerr’s candid midseason breakdown of Riverhounds, Trevor Amann's 'Great Feat' & good mess that is 2026 USL Championship

    Lead broadcast analyst Devon Kerr rejoins John Krysinsky for an unfiltered, no-holds-barred edition of Sounding Off on Soccer. Devon was in the booth at FNB Stadium calling the Hounds' national broadcast victory over Louisville City FC.  In this episode, he gives his candid thoughts on Trevor Amann’s historic 3-minute, 27-second hat trick, assesses the Riverhounds' mid-season progress under Rob Vincent, and breaks down why the USL Championship playoff race is completely wide open. In this episode: The Raw Reaction to History: Devon’s perspective calling the fastest hat trick in league history.No-Holds-Barred USL Assessment: Real separation in the East vs. complete unpredictability in the West.Riverhounds Identity Check: What this 7W-6L-2D group needs in the final third over the last 15 matches.ACC Men's Soccer Realities: Early thoughts on what to expect from Pitt and Jay Vidovich against a grueling schedule.

    National analyst Devon Kerr’s candid midseason breakdown of Riverhounds, Trevor Amann's 'Great Feat' & good mess that is 2026 USL Championship

  6. Jul 23

    Dan Brower on Steel City FC’s Historic Run & Stepping Down as Head Coach

    Steel City FC Men's First Team Head Coach Dan Brower joins John Krysinsky on Sounding Off on Soccer to reflect on a remarkable era for the club as he prepares to step down from the touchline. Under Brower's guidance, Steel City FC evolved from its grassroots academy roots into a national USL League Two power—culminating in a 2026 Great Forest Division Title, an undefeated regular season, and the club’s first-ever USL2 postseason victory last week.   In this episode, John and Dan discuss:  ⚽️ The decision to step down and the evolution of Steel City FC's "family culture" ⚽️ Blending local Western PA talent with incoming collegiate standouts ⚽️ Breaking down the 2026 playoff run: The indoor 1-0 win over Northern Indiana and the battle in Flint ⚽️ Player development, trust, and hearing testimonials from program leaders ⚽️ Dan's experience traveling to watch the USMNT in the World Cup Round of 16 ⚽️ What lies ahead for both Dan and the Steel City FC program

  7. Jul 15

    Steel City FC returns to USL League Two Postseason with Jaxon Ervin and Ryan Kopay

    Before boarding the bus to Flint, Michigan, for the USL League Two Central Conference Playoffs, Steel City FC standouts Ryan Kopay and Jaxon Ervin sat down with Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky. The Great Forest Division champions capped off a historic, undefeated regular season (conceding only three goals across 12 matches!) and are now slated for a Round of 32 clash against Northern Indiana FC at Atwood Stadium on Friday, July 17 at 4:00 PM ET. In this episode, Jaxon and Ryan dive deep into their local roots—having grown up playing youth soccer together with Beadling SC in Western Pennsylvania before embarking on successful college careers (Jaxon at Duquesne and West Allegheny; Ryan at Moon, Akron, and Fairleigh Dickinson). They discuss what it means to return home each summer, the unique bond of this tightly-knit Pittsburgh roster, and the mental preparation required to survive the "one-and-done" crucible of the USL League Two postseason. Episode Highlights: **** The historic, undefeated regular season: Analyzing Steel City's incredible defensive record (9 clean sheets, 3 goals conceded).**** Western PA Roots: How playing together at youth powerhouse Beadling SC built a lifelong chemistry that translates to the pitch today.**** Local Pride: The meaning of wearing the Steel City FC crest and representing Pittsburgh on the pre-professional national stage.**** Postseason Mentality: Breaking down the Friday matchup against Northern Indiana FC and preparing for the hostile, high-stakes environment at Atwood Stadium in Flint.**** College Journeys: Balancing their summer campaign with their collegiate seasons (Duquesne and Fairleigh Dickinson).Subscribe to Sounding Off on Soccer on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for unrivaled coverage of local, pre-professional, and professional soccer in Western Pennsylvania.

    Steel City FC returns to USL League Two Postseason with Jaxon Ervin and Ryan Kopay

  8. Jul 9

    USMNT Hits the Ceiling – Analyzing the 4-1 World Cup Loss to Belgium (feat. Mike DeCourcy)

    "They found the right channels, but against Belgium, they had an answer for everything. The U.S. had to work a little bit harder, and that's when elite players step up."The tournament run is over. Host John Krysinsky welcomes The Sporting News writer and pod regular Mike DeCourcy to process the heavy reaction surrounding the U.S. Men's National Team’s 4-1 elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Key Topics Covered: The Ponderous Reality: Why did the USMNT look surprisingly timid and hesitant on and off the ball compared to earlier tournament performances?Moment of Magic vs. Instant Collapse: Malik Tillman's brilliant free-kick equalizer and how Belgium instantly retook the lead just 116 seconds later.Defensive and Aerial Breakdowns: An in-depth look at individual performances, communication issues across the backline, and how Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku thoroughly exposed the U.S. defense.The Keeping Blunder: Sifting through Matt Freese’s costly second-half clearance mistake that handed Hans Vanaken an empty net.The Program Ceiling: Did this squad simply hit their natural competitive limit, or did tactical execution fail them when it mattered most?Follow Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Website: pittsburghsoccernow.comTwitter/X: @PghSoccerNow

    USMNT Hits the Ceiling – Analyzing the 4-1 World Cup Loss to Belgium (feat. Mike DeCourcy)
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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.

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