Ocean City Nor'easters Soccer Team Joins Forces With Professional Team From Pittsburgh

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Nor’easters men’s soccer team now has an indirect association with a team in Major League Soccer (MLS).

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, a professional team in the United Soccer League (USL) agreed to a developmental partnership with the Nor'easters through the 2018 season, the teams announced this week.

The Riverhounds are the development team for the Columbus Crew of MLS, meaning it is possible for Nor’easters players to be called up to the Riverhounds, and eventually to the Crew. The USL is the second division of professional soccer in the United States, directly below MLS.

"I am personally really excited to do this partnership deal with Ocean City," Riverhounds head coach Dave Brandt said. "It's a club I've been aware of and familiar with for quite awhile, and they have a fantastic record and reputation both as a winning organization, and an organization who are serious about developing and working with top players and advancing their careers. Clearly one of the top PDL organizations in the country, and we are delighted to align with them."

“We are thrilled and equally excited to have the opportunity to work closely with the Hounds. We felt this partnership was the right time, the right place and most importantly, the right organization," Ocean City Sporting Director Tim Oswald said. "We have been very impressed with Coach Brandt's philosophies and vision for the club and his aspirations to push the envelope in his short time with Pittsburgh. I have no doubt that he will grow the club and its brand to new heights.”

Originally founded as a Division 3 pro club in 1996, the Nor'easters joined the Premier Development League (PDL) in 2003 and since then have the sixth-best record among the 72 teams in the league. Ocean City has qualified for the playoffs seven times and has made two PDL final four appearances since 2013.

It has won multiple honors, including Organization of the Year in 2008. The amateur club's success has translated against professional opponents as well, notching five upsets in U.S. Open Cup play since 2003 and recording four wins against MLS Under-23 squads this past summer - D.C. United, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls and Reading United.

The Nor'easters have paved the way for several players to professional soccer, seeing 22 members drafted into MLS, including 10 in the last three years. More than 60 players have moved on to sign pro contracts since 2003. Six of them have played with the Hounds, including three current players: Keasel Broome, John Manga and Chevaughn "Chevy" Walsh - the latter most notably signed last year after notching PDL MVP and Golden Boot honors.

Both clubs expect the affiliation to provide key improvements in player identification, establishing an expanded player-scouting network between the clubs, in addition to staff development initiatives within the USL-PDL framework. Initiatives are expected to include collaboration between the staffs of both clubs in training, film work, and the potential for Ocean City prospects to trial with the Hounds throughout the summer.

"This partnership exemplifies the Path-to-Pro model of the PDL and we are proud to provide our players and staff with an expanded umbrella for development,” Oswald said.

"Partnerships like this one are important to the landscape of soccer," PDL Director Todd Eason said. "We are seeing more professional clubs finding the desire and recognizing the need to partner with PDL clubs, and having a strong program like the Nor'easters partner with a resourceful Pittsburgh Riverhounds will only help each club gain a stronger presence in their respective market. We look forward to seeing this partnership grow and assisting with business and player development."

The 'Hounds have been playing pro soccer in the Steel City for nearly two decades. In 2013, the club solidified its place in the city's major league sports landscape by opening Highmark Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium that overlooks downtown Pittsburgh.

With this partnership, there are now 19 PDL franchises affiliated with or owned and operated by a North American professional club.

Patch file photo