PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC announced on Wednesday it had signed midfielder Robbie Mertz to a new two-year contract with a club option for the 2028 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

A Pittsburgh native and graduate of nearby Upper St. Clair High School, Mertz has been a mainstay for the Hounds since signing with his hometown club as a rookie in 2019. While he did have a short stint with Atlanta United 2 starting in 2021, he rejoined the Hounds via transfer midway through the 2022 season and will be entering his seventh season with the team.

“We’re excited to have Robbie back. He was instrumental in our playoff run, and representing his hometown, he continues to set the standard for what it means to play in Pittsburgh,” said Hounds Sporting Director Dan Visser.

Mertz made arguably the biggest play of the Hounds run to win the 2025 USL Championship with his game-winning goal in the team’s 1-0 victory over Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Final at Highmark Stadium. That win propelled the team to the USL Championship Final, where Mertz was one of the five Hounds to convert his penalty kick in the decisive shootout.

“We’re coming off the first Championship in club history, so there is significant momentum right now with many people excited about the club and the direction we’re taking,” said Mertz. “It’s an honor to still be contributing to it after all this time. There’s a lot of work to be done and many moments to look forward to.”

An attacking threat as both a finisher and a playmaker, Mertz has 23 goals and 22 assists with the Hounds, making him one of only three players with at least 20 of each for the club in his career. His goal total and his 173 appearances for the Riverhounds — fifth in club history — are both the most all-time by a Pittsburgh native for the team.

Mertz becomes the 12th player from the 2025 USL Championship-winning squad under contract for the Hounds’ title defense next year, which will begin March 7 when the team travels to face the Charleston Battery in the 2026 season opener.