Three points were earned and the top spot in the Eastern Conference claimed this past Tuesday at Segra Field, as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (17-4-10) defeated Loudoun United FC (7-17-6), 2-1.
The Hounds fell behind 1-0, but it took them just 10 minutes to reclaim the lead. Here’s how the club took three points on the road.
57’ Neco Brett assisted by Anthony Velarde
From the middle third to the attacking third, Kenardo Forbes led the break.
When the midfielder approached the 18-yard box, Loudoun finally stopped his path, so Forbes (orange arrow) differed to an open Anthony Velarde (yellow arrow), who was positioned to his left.
While Velarde collects the ball, Neco Brett (green arrow) continues his run at the net. The rookie sees this and sends a ball across the box, which the striker hits home to knot the score at 1-1.
62’ Joe Greenspan assisted by Kenardo Forbes
Winning a corner kick in the 62nd minute, the Hounds would soon cash in and take the lead.
As Forbes sends a ball across the penalty box, he finds a large target. Unlike many times before when he’s used his head, this time 6-foot-6-inch Joe Greenspan (green arrow) shoots the ball into the back of the net using his left foot.
Permitting the center back to open up space is first a well-timed run that allows him to slip behind a Loudoun defender. As a result, he cleans up a missed block from goalkeeper Calle Brown for the match’s game-winning tally.
Tale of the Tape
When the Hounds fell behind 1-0 in the 52nd minute, head coach Bob Lilley elected to insert Forbes into the match. Being the team’s leader in assists and chances created for the season, it did not take long for the Kingston, Jamaica native to make his presence felt.
Forbes led the break for the squad’s equalizer and later assisted Greenspan off a corner kick. Both of these plays occurred in just nine minutes of Forbes stepping foot onto the pitch.
On the defensive end, Pittsburgh shut down the Loudoun attack. The USL Championship newcomer had only one shot on target, which came on its goal from Kyle Murphy in the 52nd minute. Besides this take, Loudoun could not fire a shot on frame. This also was the team’s lone shot from inside of the penalty box for the match.
