Under head coach Bob Lilley, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has shown defensive dominance over the past three seasons.
The squad has recorded a shutout in an eye-popping 42 of 84 regular season matches since 2018. And in 2020, the Black and Gold posted a club-record 0.63 goals allowed per game.
Here are some of the best defensive plays from the 2020 season.
Kenardo Forbes is well-known for his ability to catalyze an offense, but on this play he showcases a tremendous defensive effort.
Sprinting back more than half the length of the pitch, the midfielder strips an opposing attacker and stops a dangerous opportunity during the Hounds’ road match against New York Red Bulls II on July 26.
Breakaways are tough to stop, let alone a one-on-one chance, which is what Loudoun United FC had on Aug. 19.
Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello did well to keep his composure, however, and made a leaping swat to keep the ball out of the net.
Stemming from a free kick, Saint Louis FC almost placed home a game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time. However, Thomas Vancaeyezeele had other ideas, blocking away the shot to help the Hounds earn a point on home turf.
Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez used his quick reflexes to save a bullet of a shot during Pittsburgh’s 3-0 shutout win against Hartford Athletic on the road.
Golden Glove winner Danny Vitiello showed off his reaction time to save a Loudoun United FC penalty kick. His efforts preserved a 3-0 shutout victory for the Hounds at Highmark Stadium.
Hustling back to shut down a New York Red Bulls II breakaway opportunity, defender Mark Lindstrom makes a sliding play to clear the ball away from an opposing attacker.
The Hounds defeated Loudoun United FC, 1-0, in a key late-season matchup. Helping the Black and Gold earn three points, Patrick Bunk-Andersen blocked away a dangerous scoring chance from inside the penalty area.
Marking his second penalty kick save of the season, Danny Vitiello stoned an early Hartford Athletic scoring chance in the clubs’ final meeting of 2020.
To keep the score knotted at 0-0, Danny Vitiello made a great reactionary kick-save against Louisville City FC in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
During the Hounds’ Eastern Conference Quarterfinals match against Louisville City FC, Danny Vitiello made a terrific save to keep the elite goalscoring Cameron Lancaster off the board.
