On your way to and from OLSH, have you wondered about what was being constructed on State Street?

For the last 10 years, plans and a massive construction effort has been going on  a little more than a mile from our school. The fantastic complex is the new home for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional soccer team. It also includes a 20,000-square-foot medical facility. It is one of the largest like this in the U.S.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club, owned by Tuffy Shallenberger, has been a longtime partner with Allegheny Health Network. It was a dream of theirs to make a state-of-the-art facility with brand-new technology. After meeting with members of Allegheny Health Network, Highmark Health, and community leaders, this dream became a reality. It will serve as the practice facility for the Riverhounds, and as the premier sports medicine facility in the area.

Its sports performance program is led by Frank Velasques, a Certified Athletic Trainer and nationally recognized. The program includes personalized strength training and conditioning for athletes of any age. The facility uses its Sports Science Lab, the first of its kind in the region, to identify areas of weakness in a person’s body and utilizes this information to build a strength training and progression plan. With the Sports Science Lab and other advanced equipment, this healthcare facility is the best in the region, especially for athletes.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will also host tournaments here. With its three indoor soccer fields and seven outside ones, there is no shortage of space for people to play. There are also plans for  more outdoor fields. Many of these fields are even available for the public to rent. The Riverhounds Development Academy, which trains more than 5,000 athletes from ages 4-18, will also use this place as a home base for its operation. People of all ages are welcome to participate in any events and are welcome to be evaluated in the medical facility.

Isn’t it cool to be so close to a professional sports team? Soccer has grown in popularity by 27% in America since 2012. The Riverhounds are an original member of the USL Championship, which has grown to become the world’s largest second-division professional soccer league. They are a part of the “City of Champions” professional sports teams in Pittsburgh. 

This brand new facility really is a dream come true for all people involved. It is a great addition to the area that will serve the community, and the Riverhounds for many years to come. If you ever have an injury, need sports therapy, or performance training, this is the place for you.

You can also check out a Riverhounds’ practice and, maybe, meet some of the players!