(Aug. 1, 2026) — Eliot Goldthorp scored 20 minutes into the match to make the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ first West Coast trip of the season a successful one by defeating Oakland Roots SC, 1-0, tonight at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The early goal gave rise to a stout defensive effort by the Hounds (8-8-2), who held only 27.5 percent of possession but did not allow a single shot on goal out of seven total shots by Oakland (5-7-6).
Nico Campuzano did not need to make a save for his fifth clean sheet but the team’s first in league play since June 20.
First half
Goldthorp had an eye for goal early, and after just four minutes, he put the first shot of the match on target, though the off-balance effort didn’t trouble Oakland goalie Kendall McIntosh.
The Roots also had a good early chance from a 15th-minute corner kick, but their top scorer, Peter Wilson, couldn’t keep his headed shot under the crossbar.
The Hounds ended their two-match scoring drought in the 20th minute when Charles Ahl sent a diagonal cross in from the left side. The ball carried toward the goal line beyond the far post, where Max Viera smartly headed the ball back toward the traffic at the top of the 6-yard box. The ball fell to the feet of Goldthorp, who smashed his shot from close range into the net for his third goal in all competitions this year and the first professional assist for Viera.
Second half
Oakland gained some early momentum after the halftime break, and both former Hounds man Bertin Jacquesson and Wolfgang Prentice sent dangerous balls into the box, but neither one found a friendly target.
The Roots tried to hit out on the counter after defending a Hounds corner kick in the 72nd minute, but Campuzano made his best intervention of the night by coming off his line to pluck the ball away from Danny Trejo as he tried to break past the defense.
Sam Bassett had the Hounds’ best chance later in the half when he received a pass atop the box in a 1-on-1 situation. Bassett was able to create room to shoot, but his effort rose over the crossbar.
In the end, the Hounds saw out the match with minimal threat, as Oakland amassed just a 0.52 expected goals (xG) total, according to Opta.
Modelo Man of the Match
Max Viera assisted the lone goal of the match, but his contributions went well beyond that. The first-year pro had two chances created, won 7 of 8 duels, earned a pair of free kicks and added two clearances holding down the right side.
What’s next?
The Hounds return home to face the third consecutive Western Conference foe when they host Sacramento Republic (6-4-5) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at F.N.B. Stadium. The Republic was scheduled to host Sporting Jacksonville tonight in an 11 p.m. ET start.
Riverhounds SC lineup (4-4-2) — Nico Campuzano; Lasse Kelp, Owen Mikoy, Victor Souza (Guillaume Vacter 81’), Max Viera; Eliot Goldthorp (Perrin Barnes 68’), Jackson Walti (Danny Griffin 68’), Robbie Mertz, Charles Ahl (Junior Etou 68’); Yu Tsukanome (Sam Bassett 60’), Albert Dikwa (Trevor Amann 68’)
Oakland Roots SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Kendall McIntosh; Jesús de Vicente (Julian Bravo 83’), Neveal Hackshaw, Michael Edwards, Keegan Tingey; Bobosi Byaruhanga (Jackson Kiil 83’), Tommy McCabe (Bertin Jacquesson 34’); Wolfgang Prentice, Florian Valot, Tucker Lepley (Danny Trejo 60’, Faysal Bettache 73’); Peter Wilson
Scoring summary
PIT — Eliot Goldthorp 20’ (Max Viera)
Discipline summary
PIT — Eliot Goldthorp 9’ (caution – reckless foul)
OAK — Michael Edwards 70’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Danny Griffin 88’ (caution – reckless foul)
