USL CHAMPIONSHIP: Riverhounds SC sign goalkeeper and Pittsburgh native Ben Martino
- Dan Stickradt
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)
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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has signed goalkeeper and Pittsburgh native Ben Martino to a one-year deal with a club option for 2026, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.
Martino, 22, was previously under contract with Nashville SC of MLS, and he played the past two seasons with Huntsville City FC, Nashville’s reserve team in MLS Next Pro. He began his youth career in the Riverhounds Development Academy, making him the second player to sign a professional deal with the First Team after previously playing for the Hounds’ youth teams.
“Ben is a young keeper with good technical qualities and pro experience already under his belt. We are excited to see his progression this year back in Pittsburgh,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said.
Martino played in the RDA while attending Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh through the age of 16, when he left to join the Philadelphia Union Academy. The goalkeeper made his senior-level debut in the USL Championship at age 17, appearing in three matches as an academy player with Philadelphia Union II before graduating and playing college soccer at Virginia Tech University.
After two seasons and 34 starts with the Hokies, Martino turned pro after his sophomore season by signing with Nashville, which acquired his rights in a transfer deal with the Union in January 2023. Martino became a regular in net for the club’s Huntsville team in MLS Next Pro, making 30 appearances and recording three clean sheets across two seasons.
The Hounds now have three goalkeepers under contract for the 2025 season, which kicks off this Saturday, March 8, when the team travels to face North Carolina FC at 7 p.m. in a match that will be shown live on SportsNet Pittsburgh and streamed on ESPN+.
COURTESY PHOTO | MALLORY NEIL--PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC COMMUNICATIONS
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC recently signed local prospect Ben Martino to be one of the team's goalkeepers in 2025.
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 32-year veteran of the Michigan and national media circles and recently joined the staff full time at PMG in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/NSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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