Thirteen may be known as an unlucky number, but it was 13 that provided Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-3-7) with a 2-1 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC (9-10-6) on Sunday at Goodman Stadium. Here’s how forward Neco Brett amassed his 12th and 13th goals of the season en route to the Hounds clinching three points on the road.
35’ Neco Brett assisted by Kenardo Forbes
Midfielder Kenardo Forbes relied on his field vision once two Bethlehem defenders collapsed in on him.
Having his run stopped at the edge of the attacking third, Forbes (green arrow) sends a pass outside to Brett (yellow arrow), who makes a well-timed run.
Once Brett collects the ball in the penalty area, he is faced with a one-on-one matchup with Steel FC defender Matthew Real, as other defenders lock on to Hounds in the 18-yard box. With an explosive rollover, Brett beats Real to the inside, freeing up a left-footed shot, which rang off the near post before finding the back of the net to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 advantage.
79’ Neco Brett assisted by Christiano François
Dodging a tackle attempt from one opponent and sprinting by another, Christiano François led the break down the left side of the pitch into the Hounds’ attacking third.
As François (orange arrow) approaches the goal, Bethlehem defender Brandon Aubrey (red arrow) slides over and pressures the ball, as he is the last man between François and goalkeeper Jake McGuire. Once Aubrey nears the attacking midfielder, François hits Brett (yellow arrow) with a pass. Having broken free behind the backline, the striker promptly one-times in the game-winning goal of the 2-1 result.
The Other Side
It was a slow start for Bethlehem, but it posted its only goal of the match on a breakaway in the 52nd minute. Fielding a pass from midfielder Santi Moar, striker Chris Nanco sprinted into the Hounds’ defensive third. Using his dribble to create space just before the penalty area, the forward blasted a shot into the net once receiving a clean look at the frame.
Steel FC recorded all four of its shots in the second half, and all four of these takes were taken within a 20-minute span (52nd minute through 71st minute). With the exception of this period, Bethlehem’s offense had a difficult time finding ways to consistently pressure the Hounds’ defense.
Tale of the Tape
The Hounds jumped out on Bethlehem in the midst of a dominating first half. Pittsburgh outshot Steel FC, 9-0, in the first-45 minutes. In addition to the total shots advantage, the Hounds also racked up 57 percent possession during this stretch of play.
Bethlehem did not record a shot until it posted an equalizer in the 52nd minute. Although it started the second half better than the first, Steel FC eventually gave way to the Hounds as time passed. Pittsburgh again held the total shots advantage in the second half (10-4) and placed five takes on goal in the final-45 minutes. Because of this consistent pressure throughout the entirety of the match, the Hounds were able to notch a second tally before the final whistle.
Pittsburgh’s midfield catalyzed much of its offense on Sunday, as the position group recorded nine of its 11 chances created. On the other hand, Steel FC could only muster four chances created during the match, which also factored into its 2-1 defeat.
