OTTAWA, Ontario (July 8, 2018) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (9-1-7) defeated Ottawa Fury FC (6-8-3), 1-0, on Sunday at TD Place Stadium.
Defender Hugh Roberts scored the first and only goal of the match in the 22nd minute off an assist from fellow defender Todd Pratzner. The shutout marks goalkeeper Dan Lynd’s ninth and the team’s 12th clean sheet this season. The second-place Hounds now sit one point behind first-place FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference.
“I think we’re improving,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “I look at the whole journey of where we can be and where we want to go. The only way to stay anywhere near the top is to continually improve.”
How It Happened
A corner kick and a trio of center backs figured into a fury of chances leading into the first tally of the match.
In the 22nd minute, midfielder Christiano François kicked a corner into the penalty area, and center back Joe Greenspan sent a powerful header on target, which was saved by diving Ottawa goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. After this sequence and a brief clearance, François drilled another cross into the 18-yard box and this time connected with defender Todd Pratzner, who headed the ball in Hugh Roberts’ direction. Then from the six-yard box, the center back booted the ball into the twine to provide the Hounds with the 1-0 advantage.
These two takes were the only shots on goal in the match’s first half. In total, Pittsburgh outshot Ottawa, 3-to-1, during the first 45 minutes of action.
Finishing with four shots on target for the match, Pittsburgh put two more takes on net in the second half.
In the 59th minute, defender Andrew Lubahn made a run into the 18-yard box and sent a left-footed shot high, but was saved by Crépeau. Later in the 82nd minute, midfielder Kenardo Forbes placed a shot on target from outside of the penalty area, but also was saved by the Ottawa goalkeeper.
It took until second-half stoppage time for Ottawa to record its first shot on goal. Striker Steevan Dos Santos placed a tough-angle try toward the Hounds’ goalmouth, but goalkeeper Dan Lynd made a sliding save to knock the ball away from danger.
Man of the Match
Defender Hugh Roberts notched the game-winning tally and his first goal of the 2018 season. He also finished second on the team with four clearances en route to Pittsburgh’s clean sheet.
Stat of the Game
Posting its fifth straight clean sheet, Riverhounds SC has not allowed a goal in the past 487 minutes of gameplay.
Beyond the Box Score
- As Kevin Kerr received his first game off this season, only Neco Brett and Thomas Vancaeyezeele have played in every match for the Hounds this year.
- With his assist on Hugh Roberts’ goal, defender Todd Pratzner registered his first career point at the USL level.
- With the clean sheet, goalkeeper Dan Lynd ties a team record for the most shutouts (nine) in a single season. He ties the marks of former Pittsburgh keepers Randy Dedini (2003) and Hunter Gilstrap (2011).
- Earning three points, the Hounds stay unbeaten against Ottawa Fury FC all-time (3-0-1).
What’s Next
Riverhounds SC will have 13 days until its next league match, a home showdown with the Charleston Battery (6-3-8) at 7 p.m. on July 21 at Highmark Stadium. The sides tied 0-0 in their previous meeting at Charleston earlier this season (June 23).
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Dan Lynd – Andrew Lubahn, Hugh Roberts, Joe Greenspan, Todd Pratzner, Jordan Dover – Kenardo Forbes, Thomas Vancaeyezeele – Christiano François (Ray Lee 73’), Neco Brett (Mouhamed Dabo 73’) – Romeo Parkes (Dennis Chin 85’)
Subs not used: Mike Kirk, Tobi Adewole, Kay Banjo, Noah Franke
Ottawa – Maxime Crépeau – Onua Obasi, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Nana Attakora, Eddie Edward – Kévin Oliveira (Cristian Portilla 78’), Chris Mannella, Jamar Dixon – Adonijah Reid (Jimmy-Shammar Sanon 72’), Tony Taylor, Carl Haworth (Steevan Dos Santos 62’)
Subs not used: David Monsalve, Sergio Manesio, Monti Mohsen, Gabriel Wiethaeuper-Balbinotti
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Hugh Roberts 22’ (Todd Pratzner)
