Flexibility to play both sides of the field is something that a coaching staff cherishes, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s wingbacks have demonstrated this ability since early in the season.
During the squad’s April 7 match against Toronto FC II at Highmark Stadium, its wingbacks helped preserve the shutout on the defensive end while they also created the opportunity for Neco Brett’s hat trick, as outside defender Andrew Lubahn broke open down the field and blasted a shot off the goalpost before the striker potted his third tally.
This season, Pittsburgh holds a 2-0-1 record when its wingbacks post a point on the scoresheet. As the Hounds (12-4-10) battle Bethlehem Steel FC (12-11-6) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Highmark Stadium, the outside defenders will once again be responsible for flipping the field on breaks in addition to collapsing on opposing scoring threats.
“A lot of it is dictated on how the game is going – up a goal, down a goal, how defensive we are,” Lubahn said. “We’re pretty fortunate. We have some really good defensive players. Our backs especially are very strong, but the team as a whole defends well, which gives the wingbacks the ability to get into the attack.”
Along with Lubahn, Ray Lee and Jordan Dover have largely helped play this role on the pitch. Even though all are listed as defenders, they all have had past success shooting as well as blocking shots.
Early in Lee’s career, he was named Missouri Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year in high school before going on to score 14 goals in 78 career games as a midfielder at Saint Louis University. Dover also played midfield collegiately, starring at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he totaled five goals in 63 contests.
Meanwhile, Lubahn has the most experience playing up at the professional level. Since competing as a forward at Wake Forest University from 2009-13, he has often joined the attack in the USL, most recently scoring three goals with Louisville City FC in 2016.
“When you get forward is dictated a lot on where the ball is, what minute of the game it is, the score and things like that,” Lubahn said. “It’s important when the wingbacks go that the center backs come over and hold. They’re supposed to think basically, ‘what if he loses the ball.’ That’s their job. ‘If he loses it, are we in a good spot to take out the counter.’”
When the Hounds last played and defeated Steel FC on Aug. 12, their wingbacks combined for two shots (both on goal), as well as three tackles and three interceptions on the defensive end. They will need to do more of the same for the Black and Gold to be victorious in their upcoming meeting.
Recently, Bethlehem has heated up and charged into playoff contention. The sixth-place team in the Eastern Conference has won six of its last eight games.
“This is crunch time for them,” Lubahn said. “They’re playing for a spot in the playoffs. I don’t think we should expect easy games. The important thing is to control what we can control going into the game.”
