He’s home. It’s where all odysseys end up. With the way he’s playing, he may not be there for long. But for now, at least, he’s basking in the sights and sounds of gameday as a freshman professional, supported by friends and family and the comforts of familiar surroundings. “Highmark Stadium’s been a big part of my soccer life,” he said, remembering playing high school state championship games there with local powers Upper Saint Clair. “I won big games there and lost big games there and I think it’s one of the coolest venues in the country. People tailgate right on the [Monongahela] River and head right up into the Stadium. It’s a special place.”
New Beginning
The nimble midfielder, shorter than his listed height of 5-7, joined the Riverhounds officially in late March, three games into the team’s current season. He made his debut as a sub in April against Louisville City and, after missing a game against the Charleston Battery to attend his college graduation, Mertz made his first start. Since then, he’s made three more and looks to be a certainty in Lilley’s midfield, where he’s right at home surrounded by old pros, many of them from shores as far away as Ethiopia and Cape Verde. He started both of the side’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games so far in 2019 and is set for another, against Columbus Crew of MLS, on June 11.
His first goal, on the road in a league game against Indy Eleven, was a perfect example of what Mertz does best. Striker Christian Volesky made a jinking run through the penalty area and rifled a challenging pass in the youngster’s general direction. Mertz, always thinking, controlled with a clever combination of thigh and abdomen and fired – all in one motion – with his left foot. It was a goal that required quickness of thought and feet both. It looked like a veteran’s goal.
