HARTFORD, Conn. (August 28, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (6-3-1) defeated Hartford Athletic (5-2-1), 3-0, on Friday at Dillon Stadium.
Ryan James gave the Hounds an early lead in the 11th minute, and Danny Griffin extended that lead in the 22nd minute. James would score again in the 50th minute, giving him his first career multi-goal game. Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez held it down in net, notching his third clean sheet of the season.
The win puts the Hounds in first place and three points ahead of Hartford Athletic in Group F.
“I think we had good possession at times,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “We were able to create some good moments. We had some dangerous moments and we got better on the defensive side of the ball as the game went on. It was opportune finishing early, and we got stronger as the game went on. It was good to see us manage the game. I think we managed the game well in the second half to limit their chances.
“I thought Robbie Mertz, Danny Griffin and Anthony Velarde played well and worked hard to defend as a group in the midfield. Today was a good team performance. We got good play from Jordan Dover and Ryan James from out wide. I think Steevan Dos Santos and Ropapa Mensah had some good moments. We competed well and managed the game well.”
First Half
The Hounds were tested early, after Hartford earned a free kick in the 7th minute. The ensuing shot from Hartford’s Tyreke Johnson was saved in the bottom-left corner by Gomez.
The Hounds were on the attack in the 11th minute, after earning a free kick in the attacking half. Ropapa Mensah then sent a pass to Jordan Dover in the right side of the penalty area. Dover then sent a cross to Anthony Velarde, who left it for James in the left side of the penalty box. James blasted a shot into the bottom-right corner, giving the Hounds a one-goal lead.
In the 22nd minute, Pittsburgh was looking to extend its lead after winning a free kick in the attacking half. Robbie Mertz sent a pass into the box, which was deflected out by Hartford goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda. Griffin quickly regained possession for the Hounds in the right side of the penalty area and used a soft touch to create some space. The Connecticut native then sent a shot past Mandanda into the center of the net, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-0.
Pittsburgh’s defense got better as the half went on. After going up 2-0, the Hounds allowed just one shot for the remainder of the half.
At the 7th minute mark in the first half, both clubs took a break in play and came together at the center circle for one minute and 46 seconds in a moment of unity against racism.
Second Half
Hartford started the second half strong, after Alex Dixon had space in the right side of the penalty area. Dixon sent a shot toward the bottom-right corner, but narrowly missed to the right.
The Hounds would answer back with a chance of their own in the 50th minute, when Dover sent a pass to James in the left side of the six-yard box. James then launched a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving the Hounds a two-goal lead.
Hartford had another chance to cut into the deficit in the 54th minute. Hartford midfielder Nicky Downs sent a shot from outside the 18-yard box into the bottom-right corner. Gomez dove to his left to deny Hartford the goal.
The Hounds kept Hartford to just one shot on target in the second half. For the first time this season, Hartford was held scoreless.
Hound of the Match, presented by EPIC
Ryan James scored two goals and added a key pass in the win.
Beyond the Box Score, presented by Beyond Self Storage
The Hounds have allowed eight goals in 10 matches this season.
What’s Next
Riverhounds SC will return to Highmark Stadium for a match against Loudoun United FC (1-4-2) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Tomas Gomez; Ryan James, Ray Lee (Mark Lindstrom 77′), Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Skylar Thomas (Patrick Bunk-Andersen 82′), Jordan Dover; Kenardo Forbes (Ropapa Mensah 10′), Danny Griffin, Anthony Velarde (Mark Forrest 82′), Robbie Mertz; Steevan Dos Santos (Dakota Barnathan 77′)
Subs not used: Danny Vitiello, Lukas Fernandes
Hartford Athletic – Parfait Mandanda; Sam Strong, Kevin Politz (Nicky Downs 45′), Matheus Silva; Harry Swartz (Alex Lara 43′), Arthur Rogers, Danny Barrera, Mads Jørgensen (Gabriel Torres 45′), Tyreke Johnson (Aiden Mesias 70′); Markus Naglestad (Ever Guzmán 62′), Alex Dixon
Subs not used: Mike Novotny, Dre Deas
Scoring Summary:
PIT – Ryan James 11′ (Anthony Velarde)
PIT – Danny Griffin 22′
PIT – Ryan James 50′ (Jordan Dover)
Misconduct Summary:
PIT – Tomas Gomez 7′ (caution)
HFD – Alex Lara 83′ (caution)
