PITTSBURGH (June 16, 2018) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (6-1-6) defeated New York Red Bulls II (5-4-5), 3-0, on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Forward Neco Brett powered the offense with a brace, scoring in each the first and second half, and striker Romeo Parkes added a second-half goal of his own. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Dan Lynd notched his fifth clean sheet of the season. The Hounds now have shut out opponents in seven of their eight home games this year (4-1-3).
How It Happened
It was an all-Jamaica scoring effort by Riverhounds SC.
The Hounds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. From the right edge of the 18-yard box, midfielder Kevin Kerr crossed a ball to the head of Neco Brett, who planted his feet at the top of the six-yard box. The striker then struck the sphere into the twine.
After the break, Pittsburgh turned defense into offense en route to Brett’s second tally. Following a cross by New York Red Bulls II into the Hounds’ goalmouth, the ball hit off defender Hugh Roberts and continued to ricochet off the post. Once the sphere rung off the frame, fellow defender Ray Lee cleared it away from danger.
On the offensive end of this sequence, midfielder Kenardo Forbes played the ball up to Brett on the break. The Kingston, Jamaica native then flipped the ball over New York goalkeeper Scott Levene for the team’s second tally in the 54th minute.
Romeo Parkes capped off the scoring for the Black and Gold with a goal in the 65th minute. Assisted by Lee, the St. Mary, Jamaica native drilled a header into the back of the net from the center of the box.
In the first half, Pittsburgh had two additional scoring opportunities before it officially found its way on the score sheet.
In the 9th minute, Brett was at it again. Parkes first fought through an apparent hold inside the penalty area before placing a ball to Brett’s feet in the center of the box. Levene saved Brett’s take.
Nine minutes later, midfielder Ben Zemanski crossed a ball into the penalty area to the head of Forbes. Levene also went on to save this scoring chance.
Shortly after his cross, Zemanski left the game with an apparent injury. Kerr subbed on for the Akron, Ohio native in the 22nd minute.
Man of the Match
With his brace, Neco Brett led the Hounds in points (four) and shots on goal (four). All four of Brett’s shots were on target.
Stat of the Game
Seven of the Hounds’ 13 total shots were on target. This is the first time this season Pittsburgh recorded double-digit shots and had at least half of these takes on target.
Beyond the Boxscore
- The Pittsburgh defense held New York to 11 total shots. Red Bulls II averaged 17.23 total shots per game heading into the match.
- With his fifth clean sheet, Dan Lynd moves into a tie with Terry McNelis and Calle Brown for the fifth most all-time in club history.
- Coming off injury and playing in his first game since the Hounds’ 0-0 tie against Penn FC on March 31, defender Joe Greenspan tied for the second most clearances (three) on the team despite subbing into the match in the 74th minute. Pittsburgh has yet to allow a goal when Greenspan is in the match (196 minutes).
- With his two-goal effort, Neco Brett now leads the Eastern Conference with eight goals on the season.
What’s Next
Riverhounds SC will hit the road to battle the Charleston Battery (5-3-6) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 at MUSC Health Stadium. This will be their first meeting this season, and the game will be televised on Pittsburgh’s CW.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Dan Lynd – Ray Lee, Hugh Roberts, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Todd Pratzner, Jordan Dover – Ben Zemanski (Kevin Kerr 22’), Kenardo Forbes – Christiano François – Neco Brett (Joe Greenspan 74’), Romeo Parkes (Kay Banjo 78’)
Subs not used: Mike Kirk, Tobi Adewole, Andrew Lubahn, Joe Holland
NY Red Bulls II – Scott Levene – Niko De Vera, Kevin Politz, Wahab Ackwei, Lucas Stauffer – Chris Lema, Cristian Cásseres Jr (Tom Barlow 70’) – Amando Moreno (Jared Stroud 66’), Ben Mines (Stefano Bonomo 59’), Andrew Tinari – Brian White
Subs not used: Sam Llin, Tommy Redding, Jordan Scarlett, Steve Echeverria
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Neco Brett (Kevin Kerr) 27’
PGH – Neco Brett (Kenardo Forbes) 54’
PGH – Romeo Parkes (Ray Lee) 65’
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Jordan Dover (caution) 32’
PGH – Thomas Vancaeyezeele (caution) 34’
NY – Tom Barlow (caution) 77’
Quote Sheet
Head coach Bob Lilley
On finishing chances…
“We had some good runs and some good finishes, but we missed five bunnies too, probably. We had chances, but the last pass was poor.”
On defending as a team…
“I’m disappointed how we defended as a team, but it was a good result. Guys worked in practice this week and got the tactics right.”
Thoughts on performance…
“I’m fairly happy with the result. I’m not necessarily thrilled with the performance, but we can work on it and hopefully get it better for the next game.”
Forward Neco Brett
Thought on his goals tonight…
“That’s my job. Whenever I get a chance, that’s when I make use of it, especially in big games like this we want to make sure we do the right things.”
On the preparation for the game…
“The only thing coach has been stressing about is trying to be good at both attacking and defending. He knew this was a good team, so he had to make sure we were prepared for this game.”
Thought on the size of the crowd…
“The moment I came out I was like ‘woah.’ I turned to Romeo and said, ‘Yo, we have to show up today and get some goals.’ And that’s exactly what we did.”
Forward Romeo Parkes
On his goal, off of a header…
“It’s a great feeling. Coach has been begging me for the past four months to score a goal, and I feel so excited scoring one tonight.”
Thoughts on putting out three goals for a home crowd…
“It was a good feeling. We worked hard for this upcoming week, and Red Bull is a good team. We know we had to go out and fight, and we go out and get three goals.”
Starting with Neco for the first time…
“It’s a good feeling. We’ve been playing together since youth days in Jamaica, so to come here and play with him is a really great feeling.”
