PITTSBURGH (May 22, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was topped by the Charlotte Independence, 1-0, putting a damper on the home opener and first match at Highmark Stadium with fans in attendance since the end of the 2019 season.
Irvin Parra headed in the only goal of the game in the 34th minute for Charlotte (2-1-0). Clay Dimick assisted the goal by getting behind the Hounds (0-2-1) defense down the right flank and lofting a high cross to Parra running down the center of the field.
The Hounds outshot Charlotte, 21-8, and had 57 percent of possession in the match, a number aided by the Independence playing down a man after Christian Dean was sent off in the 66th minute.
“I felt like when we were up a man, we obviously pulled some of our center backs off the field — Jelani (Peters) came off and Preston (Kilwien) came off. We were trying to get Jordan (Dover) and (Alex) Dixon for a long time in around the edges, and I think we did it. Not enough — I think we tried to jam a little bit too much through the middle — but, at that point… I think we did pretty well,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “It’s hard. Even if a team only has eight or nine men at the end of the game, when they’re all in the box, there’s not a lot of space.”
Attendance at Highmark Stadium was a sellout total of 2,079, which was the maximum number of fans allowed under current Pennsylvania physical distancing guidelines.
“I’m appreciative that they were behind the guys, there was good energy in the building. I’m excited that as we get to the games in June, it looks like the restrictions are going to be lifted even more. That’s super exciting. We’re gonna need them,” Lilley said.
The coach continued: “I thought they were trying to suck the ball over the line, the Steel Army, and we were trying to get the ball over the line, but we missed just wide, they blocked a few. It’s just frustrating.”
First half
Hounds goalkeeper Danny Vitiello was the star of the early stages of the match, as he made all four of his saves within the first half hour of the game.
The highlight came in the 15th minute when he denied Charlotte’s Brandt Bronico and Jake Areman in quick succession, making a leaping stop on a breakaway and then going to ground to stop the second shot on the rebound.
Vitiello also denied a close-range header by Kevin Riascos, but he was finally beaten by Parra’s header in the 34th minute, which was Charlotte’s last shot on goal in the match.
Russell Cicerone nearly tied the match with two minutes left in the half, as he cut into the box on his left foot, but his low, hard shot was denied by goalkeeper Brandon Miller.
Second half
Chances began to pile up for the Hounds after the break, beginning with Kilwien heading a corner kick on goal in the 53rd minute, only to have Bronico head it off the line.
Charlotte then went down a man in the 66th minute after Dean picked up his second yellow card of the game for a high elbow.
The Hounds kept the pressure on, outshooting Charlotte after the break, 16-2, but they couldn’t break through the compact Independence defense.
The game ended with Miller making an outstanding fifth save for Charlotte, as he denied Albert Dikwa’s header at the back post on the end of a long, diagonal ball from Louis Perez.
Hounds Man of the Match
Danny Vitiello had it easier in the second half, but his four-save first half effort kept Charlotte from getting more than one goal before the Hounds could take control of play.
What’s next
The Hounds go on the road to face New York Red Bulls II on Friday, May 28, at 7 p.m. at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. New York is 1-2-1 on the season and faces the Charleston Battery tomorrow.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC lineup (4-3-1-2) — Danny Vitiello; Preston Kilwien (Jordan Dover 68’), Jelani Peters (Ezra Armstrong 86’), Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams; Danny Griffin, Todd Wharton (Louis Perez 68’), Anthony Velarde (Tommy Williamson 68’); Alex Dixon; Russell Cicerone, Albert Dikwa
Charlotte Independence lineup (5-3-2) — Brandon Miller; Clay Dimick, Kevin Riascos, Hugh Roberts, Christian Dean (sent off 66’), Thomas de Villardi (Jordan Bender 63’); Brunallergene Etou, Brandt Bronico, Jake Areman; Marcelo Palomino (Enzo Martinez 86’), Irvin Parra (Noah Paravicini 69’)
Scoring Summary
CLT — Irvin Parra 34’ (Clay Dimick)
Discipline Summary
CLT — Christian Dean 12’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PGH — Shane Wiedt 40’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PGH — Todd Wharton 50’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
CLT — Christian Dean 66’ (sent off – second bookable offense)
CLT — Noah Paravicini 79’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PGH — Ezra Armstrong 90’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
CLT — Brunallergene Etou 90’+5 (caution – unsporting behavior)
PGH — Louis Perez 90’+6 (caution – unsporting behavior)
