PITTSBURGH (July 17, 2021) — Russell Cicerone’s early goal was the difference, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC picked up its third consecutive win at Highmark Stadium, 1-0, over Loudoun United FC on Saturday night in front of a season-high crowd of 3,483.
The match was a close affair, as the score indicated, as Loudoun (2-10-0) had 59 percent of possession, but the Hounds (7-4-3) held a 10-6 advantage in total shots. The match was also notable for captain Kenardo Forbes, as the midfielder became the 11th player to play 100 matches for the Hounds.
With the win, the Hounds (7-4-3) move level on points with the first-place Tampa Bay Rowdies (8-5-0), trailing only on goal difference.
First half
It didn’t take long for the goal to come on a move that began with Todd Wharton in possession in the sixth minute. Wharton played the ball down the right flank to Alex Dixon, who made his way to the end line before sending a pass across the face of goal.
Albert Dikwa and Cicerone made runs to the same spot with a Loudoun defender between them. Dikwa was first to get a touch, but the ball popped upward off the head of Cicerone and found the back of the net. As a result, Dikwa was credited with the assist on the team-leading sixth goal of the year by Cicerone.
The Hounds continue to be the more dangerous team going forward, even with less of possession, and the lead nearly doubled in the 41st minute when Cicerone fed Dixon at the back post, but Dixon’s shot struck the left upright and bounded away.
Second half
The Hounds had to defend more in the second half, including in the 56th minute when the defense was shocked at being called for a pass back to goalkeeper Danny Vitiello. Loudoun had the indirect kick 15 yards from goal, but the Hounds wall did its job, blocking the initial attempt and winning a goal kick on the chase.
Chances came the Hounds way as well, and a give-and-go worked by Dani Rovira and Forbes led to another dangerous cross, only to have Dikwa miss on a difficult chance, unaware Dixon was wide open on the back post.
Vitiello faced his biggest test in the 70th minute, but he stood tall to parry away a sharp-angled shot by Darluis Paz for one of his three saves. The clean sheet was Vitiello’s third shutout of the season.
Loudoun goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah also had three saves, including a great leaping stop on Dixon off a Hounds corner kick, but the 1-0 score stood until the end.
Hounds Man of the Match
The third clean sheet of the year for Danny Vitiello only required three saves, statistically, but the reigning USL Championship Golden Glove winner did much more. On a wet day, he was sure-handed on balls into his box, as Loudoun failed to connect on 10 total crosses in the match.
What’s next?
After the third meeting of the year with Loudoun, the Hounds get ready for the third matchup with New York Red Bulls II at 7 p.m. Friday night in Montclair, N.J. The Hounds have won both meetings with New York (3-4-6), but the Baby Bulls have improved by going 1-0-2 since the teams’ last meeting.
Riverhounds SC lineup (3-5-2) — Danny Vitiello; Dani Rovira, Preston Kilwien, Jalen Robinson, Shane Wiedt, Todd Wharton (Louis Perez 76’); Danny Griffin, Kenardo Forbes; Russell Cicerone (Anthony Velarde 75’), Alex Dixon, Albert Dikwa (Tommy Williamson 76’)
Loudoun United FC lineup (3-4-3) — Jermaine Fordah; Robert Dambrot, Timmy Mehl, Allexon Saravia (Tyler Gabarra 73’); Matthew Di Rosa (Jacob Greene 51’), Houssou Landry (Kimarni Smith 45’), Jeremy Gray (Darluis Paz 45’), Theodore Ku-Dipietro; Kairou Amoustapha, Michael Gamble (Massimo Ferrin 58’), Giovanni Montesdeoca
Scoring summary
PIT — Russell Cicerone 6’ (Albert Dikwa)
Discipline summary
LDN — Matthew Di Rosa 8’ (caution — unsporting behavior)
LDN — Alex Saravia 42’ (caution — unsporting behavior)
PIT — Dani Rovira 68’ (caution — unsporting behavior)
LDN — Kimarni Smith 78’ (caution — unsporting behavior)
