Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC returned this summer after a quarantine hiatus, much to the delight of Pittsburgh sports fans.
Excitement was in the air among players, many of whom have been waiting since the first preseason in March to get onto the field. Now, halfway through August, the Hounds (4-3-0) have reached the midpoint of their 16-game modified season. Their match against Loudoun United FC (1-3-1) will be their eighth and kick off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Segra Field.
“I do see growth in the group,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “I think our depth is getting better.”
With a 4-3-0 record and standing at second in Group F, the Hounds are making the best of a busy schedule with training and health being an essential factor in success.
The Hounds have had some highs, including their 6-0 blowout at Philadelphia Union II and a home win against New York Red Bulls II. The club also has had heartbreakers, including last-minute losses to Indy Eleven at Highmark Stadium and New York at Red Bull Arena.
“I’m excited that we’re getting healthier and that we’re getting some players back,” Lilley said. “I think we’re moving into a phase where we’re close to being at full strength and I expect the performances and results to follow.”
Here is a recap of some of the best moments thus far in the Hounds’ 2020 season.
The opening match of Pittsburgh’s season was an exciting one to watch for many reasons.
It was the Hounds’ first game of the season after a long layoff, televised nationally on ESPN2 and marked the inaugural match at Louisville City FC’s Lynn Family Stadium.
Originally falling behind 1-0, the Hounds ultimately scored three straight to win the showdown and help avenge a playoff loss to Louisville the season prior.
The match also marked the return of Pittsburgh professional sports, a fitting way to bring a win back to the City of Champions.
Kenardo Forbes has become an assist powerhouse throughout his time with the Hounds and his record-breaking assist had fans reeling as he became the USL Championship’s all-time assist leader.
The assist was ascetically pleasing to watch, as Forbes sent a corner kick into the penalty box in the 36th minute of play at Highmark Stadium. The perfectly placed ball was caught off of Thomas Vancaeyezeele’s head, sending it sailing into the goal and giving the Hounds a two-goal lead on Philadelphia.
Furthermore, Forbes is now tied for third for assists in the Hounds’ club history with 24, just three away from tying Kevin Kerr for first.
In an exciting season-opening matchup at Louisville City FC, Anthony Velarde’s goal in the 51st minute provided the Hounds with a 3-1 lead that came from three unanswered goals in the span of six minutes.
The goal was set into motion as Ropapa Mensah got his footing on the ball just inside the penalty box, bringing it to the outer reach of the net and pulling Louisville’s keeper out of the net.
Mensah then crossed the ball to the opposite side of the goal, where Velarde was running full speed to send the ball crashing into an open net.
Teammates surrounded Velarde in celebration and the Hounds went on to win the match.
In a game that was decided early to be in the Hounds’ favor, a sequence of passes in the 66th minute showed skill and technique inside of the penalty box for the Black and Gold.
The ball, which was in Kenardo Forbes’ possession, was brought into the 18-yard box and passed to Danny Griffin, who was surrounded by Philadelphia defenders at the top of the penalty area.
Griffin then slid the ball toward the goal, where Lukas Fernandes gave it the extra push needed to glide it into the net.
