Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (4-2-7) continued its torrid offensive pace, defeating New York Red Bulls II (9-4-2), 3-0, on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds have now scored eight goals in their past two games. Here is how the Black and Gold got on the scoreboard this past weekend.
40’ Neco Brett assisted by Steevan Dos Santos
Neco Brett was ready, and it did not go unnoticed by Steevan Dos Santos.
Seen above, Dos Santos (yellow arrow) spots a streaking Brett (green arrow) and then hits him with a through-ball that rolls into the New York defensive third. When Brett obtains possession, he is quick to observe New York goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu off his line and far from the goalmouth.
As Nuhu finds himself in no man’s land, the Kingston, Jamaica native lofts the ball up and over to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead.
51’ Steevan Dos Santos assisted by Kenardo Forbes
When Kenardo Forbes launched a corner kick into the 18-yard box, he had a large target at his disposal.
With the ball descending, Dos Santos (green arrow) breaks free of one defender to an open patch of space closer to the end line. Then he uses his 6-foot-4-inch frame to his advantage, heading the ball past Nuhu to give the Hounds a two-goal cushion.
58’ Thomas Vancaeyezeele
The Hounds struck on another corner kick just seven minutes later.
Almost resembling the first set piece, Dos Santos (yellow arrow) once again headed an incoming ball toward the goal line. However, this time his shot attempt was blocked away. Thomas Vancaeyezeele (green arrow), aggressively fighting toward the goalmouth, positioned himself to clean up the chance, bringing the score to its 3-0 result.
Tale of the Tape
The Pittsburgh offense may have outscored New York, 3-0, on the scoreboard, but it is the defense that played a large part in obtaining three points. Going into the showdown, Red Bulls II averaged 2.21 goals per game and 18.71 total shots per match.
But on Saturday, Pittsburgh held New York to just 10 total shots in a shutout effort. Paired with a strong offensive showing, the Hounds earned three points at home.
