Pittsburgh Riverhounds add midfielder Joseph Ngwenya to roster

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Last week, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds continued to unleash their intentions to put together a championship roster when they announced the signing of Joseph Ngwenya.

The 32-year old midfielder was with the Richmond Kickers this past season, where he put up nine goals and five assists for a total of 23 points in 20 games. Ngwenya was named to the USL PRO All League First Team and was one of the three finalists for the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

He was named First Team All-American at Coastal Carolina University in 2003, and was selected third overall as a striker by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2004 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Ngwenya has played a total of 118 games in MLS during stints with L.A., the Houston Dynamo, the Columbus Crew and D.C. United.

The native of Plumtree, Zimbabwe, also was signed by the Austrian top division’s Austria Kärnten in January of 2008. In July of 2008, Ngwenya had a three-week tryout with German powerhouse Bayern Munich, during which he played in one exhibition match. He had one goal in 11 games with Turkish top division’s Antalyaspor.

In June of 2008, Ngwenya played five matches for his native Zimbabwe during 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

From The Clipboard: Three individuals have been selected for the USL Men’s and Women’s Hall of Fame Class of 2013. The lone inductee into the USL Men’s Hall of Fame in 2013 is Charleston Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser, while Charlotte Lady Eagles President Pat Stewart will be feted in the Builder’s category. The final inductee is former Hampton Roads Piranhas star Mercy Akide-Udoh, who is the lone player in the Women’s Hall of Fame.

These individuals are being recognized for helping to make USL a success through the years because of their tremendous efforts made on behalf of the sport of soccer in North America. Also, the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL PRO, the Laredo Heat of the PDL and the London Gryphons of the W-League are being honored as 10-Plus Clubs after having completed 10 years in their respective leagues.

The USL Hall of Fame Class of 2013 will be inducted at the USL Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach. Honorees were chosen through a vote of current Hall of Fame members, USL teams and the USL Hall of Fame Committee.