When it comes to sports, and especially soccer, players, coaches and fans everywhere know offense might sell tickets, but defense wins championships. However, Danny Vitiello’s outstanding performance in goal during Saturday’s home opener for Riverhounds SC still wasn’t quite enough to win that particular game.
The Riverhounds fell to the Charlotte Independence, 1-0, in the first game played at Highmark Stadium with the attendance of fans since 2019. Though the Hounds outshot Charlotte, 21-8, they were unable to find the back of the net.
Despite the loss, Vitiello’s work to hold Charlotte’s offense to one goal went far from unnoticed.
In the 15th minute of the match, Vitiello made an incredible pair of saves. First, Charlotte’s Brandt Bronico found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper, but his chip shot was refused by Vitiello’s leaping save. Only seconds later, Charlotte’s Jake Areman attempted to put the rebound away from distance, but he also was denied by Vitiello.
“It was a little unorthodox of a save, but in the moment, I just did anything I could to keep the ball out of the net,” Vitiello said. “That’s the job of a keeper, to make each save as it comes.”
Another great opportunity by Charlotte demanded two saves by Vitiello when Kevin Riascos headed a free kick on frame. Vitiello made that save and shuffled across the goal to stop a second chance by Christian Dean, which completed a sequence that earned Vitiello a nomination for USL Championship Save of the Week.
But in the 34th minute, what would be Charlotte’s last look at net in the match came off the head of Irvin Parra and beat Vitiello for the only blemish on his day.
Though the Hounds came close to an equalizer when Russell Cicerone took a left-footed strike with two minutes remaining in the first half and saw various other chances in the second 45 minutes — outshooting Charlotte in the half, 16-2, — they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
“I had a few mistakes in the first half, but I bounced back with a couple of saves,” Vitiello said. “The second half was a bit easier on me. The ball was mostly in their end.”
Vitiello’s stellar performance in goal for the Hounds might not have earned a win Saturday, but it certainly sets the stage for future success. The 25-year-old keeper, who is the reigning USL Championship Golden Glove winner, plans to uphold his growing reputation as a brick wall throughout the season and the duration of his young career.
“I want to reach the highest possible bar for myself and just keep getting better and better,” Vitiello said. “I want to help the team win as many games as possible, and I think getting into the playoffs and a championship is always the goal.”
Reaching that goal begins today, when Vitiello is expected to be back in goal for the Hounds when they visit the New York Red Bulls II at 7 p.m.
“I don’t think we’ve reached our full potential yet,” he continued. “Charlotte was our best game so far, and we just have to keep grinding into this weekend versus the Red Bulls.”
