Riverhounds sign Romeo Parkes

By Rachael McKriger

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are bringing back a familiar face.

Romeo Parkes, who featured for the Riverhounds last season, is back with the club, signing a one-year deal with club options in 2018 and 2019.

The forward featured for the club last season, but was immediately released after an incident with Karl Ouimette of the New York Red Bulls II on May 7.

His signing is pending approval from the USSF and USL.

However, Riverhounds owner Tuffy Shallenberger has expressed his thoughts on Parkes’ improvement as a player and person.

“Romeo has shown tremendous improvement and maturity as an individual and expressed remorse for his actions last year,” said Shallenberger. “I fully believe he is more than deserving of a second chance to help improve this club. I look forward to embracing his contributions to the Riverhounds organization both on and off the field.”

“It is with humility and excitement that I am returning to the Riverhounds,” Parkes said. “My main objective is to deliver quality soccer and exemplify sportsmanship, and have the opportunity to earn respect, both as a person and a soccer player. Not only have I learned my lesson, but I am more determined than ever to have a positive impact on my community, my team and to make a difference on the field.”

After his departure from the Riverhounds last season, Parkes ventured to El Salvador to compete for Asociación Deportiva Isidro Metapán. He made 26 appearances.

“Romeo is a talented player, and beyond that, someone who we think can fit very well into the type of team we are building here in Pittsburgh,” said head coach Dave Brandt. “He joins a Riverhounds squad that is quite different from the one he left early last season, and he will join an already exciting and talented group that we have in the attack.”

Before ever coming to the Riverhounds, Parkes totaled 70 appearances for his El Salvador club, Metapán. He has also featured for the Jamaican Men’s National Team. He was named on the 2015 Copa America roster, and scored his first Jamaican MNT goal on March 30, 2015.

The Riverhounds will face the Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday, May 13 up in Canada. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m. ET.