Riverhounds SC passed the eye test while more than 18,000 people watched the new-look team from the seats of Nissan Stadium.
In head coach Bob Lilley’s first game at the helm, Pittsburgh shut out Nashville SC in a 0-0 draw. With a point in their pocket, the Hounds (0-0-1) now turn focus to in-state rival Penn FC (0-1-0) for the first installment of the 2018 Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery. The match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
“I’m most excited to play at home in front of the fans,” Jordan Dover said, looking forward to his first Keystone Derby match. “The Cup has a lot of history, so it should be crazy here on Saturday. Coming back from the road, it’ll be fun to play in front of our home crowd.”
Dover, who joins Pittsburgh after playing for the Rochester Rhinos in 2017, played a key role in the Hounds’ first clean sheet this season. Registering four tackles and four interceptions in the match as an outside midfielder, he helped stifle the Nashville attack.
“We worked together as a team,” Dover said. “A lot of people were in the right positions. Defensively, I think we did really well to press them and make them uncomfortable at home. Our intentions were to get three points there. It’s unfortunate it didn’t work out that way, but our defense was solid.”
Dover said the team’s 3-4-3 formation played into its defensive success because it made it difficult for Nashville to break them down, as it allowed each player to have coverage defensively if he would choose to bump up to the next level.
After earning their first clean sheet of the season, the Hounds will look to extend their streak to two straight games. And in return, extend their shutout streak against Penn FC to four straight matches.
Midfielder Mouhamed Dabo understands firsthand the struggles Penn FC had against Pittsburgh last year. Participating in the rivalry as a member of the squad from Harrisburg, he bore witness to three scoreless 90-minute stretches. Now in 2018, Dabo crosses over enemy lines and joins forces with Riverhounds SC.
“I’m excited for my first Derby against my old team,” Dabo said. “I hope we win the game.”
Dabo said he has friends who still play for Penn FC from last year. After the game, he’s hoping to reconnect with his former teammates, but beforehand he’s focused on bringing a Keystone Derby win to the Hounds and their fan base.
“I’m so excited to be here because I know this crowd is a good crowd,” Dabo said. “I’ve played here in the Derby against them and it was always a good atmosphere. It will be the same on Saturday.”
