Hunter Ashworth (San Diego Loyal | USA)

From this week's Flying Kiwis.

Congrats to Ashworth. Following a bit of a well trodden path now for young NZ footballers.

Pittsburgh actually finished top of USL Eastern Conference last season.

https://us.soccerway.com/players/hunter-ashworth/425259/

"Welcome defenders, Hunter Ashworth & Patrick Bunk-Andersen to the squad! \uD83D\uDC4F\uD83D\uDE4C

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC✔@RiverhoundsSC

Welcome defenders, Hunter Ashworth & Patrick Bunk-Andersen to the squad! #TogetherWeHunt #UNLEASH https://www.riverhounds.com/news_article/show/1094105 …

Hounds sign defenders Hunter Ashworth, Patrick Bunk-Andersen

PITTSBURGH (March 10, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has signed defenders Hunter Ashworth and Patrick Bunk-Andersen each to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2021 season, pending USL...

riverhounds.com

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10:02 - 10 Mar 2020

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Chalk another one up for the USL crew. Hunter Ashworth, a NZ U20 World Cup starting centreback in at the 2017 World Cup, will be doing his thing for the Riverhounds in 2020... as soon as things get back to normality which might be a long while to be fair. But anyway, a one year contract with a club option for 2021, not a terrible place to end up after a four year college career split between the University of Santa Barbara (alongside Noah Billingsley) and the University of San Francisco. He joins Sam Brotherton as a contracted USL player from Aotearoa... though a few of those MLS dudes will spent plenty of time at this level too.

PR head coach Bob Lilley: “Hunter provides a physical presence who is strong in the tackle and very good in the air. He also is a very good passer out of the back and is comfortable with both feet.”

Just out of curiosity, is it common for players on scholarships to change teams/universities halfway through a degree like he did?

Happens all the time. Often they lose the full funding or the coach changes, but I have seen many move for varying reasons.

exactly. In situations where the athlete is only going to college to further his sporting dreams, most prominently the NBA, university transfers happen almost as much as footy ones

Starting for Pittsburgh to make his pro football debut in the USL, verus Louisville City.

Louisville beaten USL grand finalists 2019, and winners in 2018 (against Musa's Phoenix Rising).

Ashworth with a early yellow.

Looks like the USL regular season has been shortened to 16 rounds - about half the normal. League split into 8 groups.

Subbed off at 67 mins in a 3-1 away win. Pittsburgh up same score when he came off.

On the left of a 3 man back line.

Full game in a 6-0 thrashing of Philadelphia Union II, in the USL.

I imagine the USL reserve teams of MLS sides are pretty weak at the moment. 

Normally they would be strengthened by fringe MLS players dropping down frequently and playing for them, like for example Tuiloma has done often with his time in Portland.

But with all the MLS teams at that Orlando hub, and carrying large squads, those fringe MLS guys can't leave Florida and play in the USL.

Gets benched and Pittsburgh lose, after he had gone 2 wins from 2.

Indy Eleven with a 97th min goal in a 1-0 win.

Back in starting lineup, and full game in a 2-1 loss away at New York Red Bulls II (based in New Jersey) in the USL.

Pittsburgh conceded 2nd goal (pen) in the 95th minute.

Watches from the bench as Pittsburgh have a 4-0 win Philadelphia Union II

Subbed on at 84th minute in 4-1 win over New York Bed Bulls II.

Pittsburgh up 4-0 when he came on.

Not in match day squad as Pittsburgh lose 1-0 at Indy Eleven.

Rides the pine in a 2-0 win away at Loudoun United.

Pittsburgh are top of their 5 team USL pool.

Unused sub in a 2-2 draw verus Saint Louis, in USL.

Not in match day squad for a 3-0 win at Hartford Athletic.

Again not in match day squad, for another 3-0 win, this time over Loudoun United.

Pittsburgh top of their pool.

Misses another game, a 3-0 win for Pittsburgh at New York RB II.

Unused sub in a 5-0 win over Hartford Athletic.

Pittsburgh have been on a roll of late. 4 consecutive wins, 14 goals, none conceded. Just a pity Ashworth not getting any playing time.

Riverhounds are top of their USL pool. Hartford 2nd.

Not in match day squad as Pittsburgh win 1-0 at Loudon United. 

Not in match day squad as Pittsburgh lose 0-1 at home to Hartford Athletic.

Hartford with their keeper sent off at 71 mins.

Pittsburgh still top of their pool. Hartford 2nd in same pool.

Not in match day squad as Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia Union II by 2-1.

Pittsburgh 2nd in their pool and into USL playoffs.

Not in match day squad as Pittsburgh are knocked out of the USL playoffs, at Lousville 2-0.

Louisville were beaten finalists last year, and USL winners year before that (2018)