When time seemingly came to a halt this past spring, it marked a delay to the start of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC season.
But in July, the Hounds returned to the pitch. And although they played a shortened 16-game regular season slate, there were still great moments on the field that seemed to stop time in their own unique way.
This week, from Nov. 16-20, relive the best moments of the 2020 campaign.
Nov. 16: Return to Play
Nov. 17: Bringing Professional Sports Back To Pittsburgh
Nov. 18: Kenardo Forbes sets all-time USL Championship Assist Record
Nov. 19: Hounds clinch playoff berth for club-record third straight season
Nov. 20: Hounds earn third straight 10-win season
For only the second time in club history and first time since the organization’s first three years (1999-01) of play, the Hounds posted three straight 10-win seasons.
This campaign, the Black and Gold clinched the 10th win during a road match against Loudoun United FC on Sept. 19. Striker Albert Dikwa posted a goal in the 81st minute to propel the Hounds to a 1-0 victory at Segra Field.
For the first time in franchise history, the Hounds clinched playoff berth for three straight seasons. The clinching game came in grand fashion – a 5-0 win against group opponent Hartford Athletic on Sept. 12 at Highmark Stadium.
From the start, Pittsburgh pressured Hartford. Ryan James and Ropapa Mensah posted braces whereas Anthony Velarde also notched a goal.
Throughout his career, Kenardo Forbes has been one of the all-time greats in catalyzing an offense.
Against Philadelphia Union II on Aug. 1 at Highmark Stadium, this greatness would come to fruition via a corner kick opportunity. Curling a ball into the penalty box, Forbes finds Thomas Vancaeyezeele, who slots home a shot to give the Kingston, Jamaica native the league’s all-time assist record.
Forbes currently sits at 39 career assists for his USL Championship career.
The City of Pittsburgh and the western Pennsylvania region was left without professional sports since the world shut down in March. That is until Riverhounds SC hosted Indy Eleven on July 22 at Highmark Stadium.
This match marked the first professional sports match in Pittsburgh since the shutdown began. And a nationwide audience tuned in to ESPN2 to watch.
The Hounds dropped a close match to the Eleven, 1-0, on a second-half stoppage time goal, but the team’s home opener brought competition back to the Steel City and the shores of the Monongahela River.
Following a four-month season postponement, USL Championship soccer returned in mid-July. Riverhounds SC played this reopening weekend against Louisville City FC on July 12 at Lynn Family Stadium.
The match marked a grand opening. For Louisville, an opening of its new state-of-the-art venue. For the Hounds, it marked their season opener. Making the stage one of true significance, the match was televised to a national audience on ESPN2.
Pittsburgh would fall behind early, but the squad would soon storm back to open its 2020 season with a 3-1 win against the fellow conference heavyweight.
