PITTSBURGH (May 7, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC made an early lead stand up to remain perfect at home this season, as Danny Griffin’s goal gave the Hounds a 1-0 win over Birmingham Legion FC tonight at Highmark Stadium.
Griffin, the Hounds’ midfield workhorse and minutes leader, scored his first goal of the season just four minutes into the game, finishing on the third assist of the season from defender Nate Dossantos. The Hounds (6-2-1) continued to press for more goals, outshooting the Legion (3-4-3), 18-10, and holding 57 percent of possession.
The Legion were held without a shot on goal in the match, allowing goalkeeper Kevin Silva to record his second shutout of the season without a save.
First half
Things got started quickly when Griffin got himself in the right place for an early finish, as he made a run to the center of the box to receive Dossantos’ low cross from the left.
Griffin took the pass and turned away from goal and the defense before slotting a low shot into the net. It would be the only shot to beat Legion goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel, who made seven saves.
Some of those saves were of the highlight variety, none more than his reflexive stop to get a hand raised to deny Albert Dikwa at point-blank range in the 31st minute.
Second half
The Hounds continued to have the better of play in what head coach Bob Lilley termed his team’s best performance of the season.
Russell Cicerone nearly doubled the lead after forcing a turnover in the 59th minute, but Van Oekel cut down his angle on the left side of goal to make the stop.
The Hounds finally went to their bench in the 78th minute, bringing on four new players, and the fresh legs got the team to the finish line. Silva did well to come off his line and collect a few late, long balls forward, and the Hounds almost had a two-on-none break toward goal in the final minute, but Dikwa’s clearing pass struck the referee, ending the chance.
Hounds Man of the Match
Danny Griffin finds himself in this space often for his defensive work, but today he also provided the game’s sole offensive breakthrough, as well. He remained just as involved with involved with four shots, 19 passes in the final third of the field and winning possession nine times during the match.
What’s next?
The Hounds have back-to-back league home games for the first time all season, and they will host a first-time opponent out of the Western Conference, El Paso Locomotive (3-5-1). That game is a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, May 14 at Highmark Stadium.
Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Kevin Silva; Nate Dossantos, Mekeil Williams (Jelani Peters 78’), Arturo Ordóñez, Luke Biasi (Shane Wiedt 78’); Marc Ybarra (Luis Argudo 78’), Kenardo Forbes (Dani Rovira 78’); Russell Cicerone, Danny Griffin, Alex Dixon; Albert Dikwa
Birmingham Legion FC lineup (4-5-1) — Matt Van Oekel; Mikey Lopez, Phanuel Kavita, Alex Crognale, Jonathan Dean; Marlon Santos (Jake Rufe 56’), Anderson Asiedu, Enzo Martinez (Ryan James 86’), Zach Herivaux (Thomas Vancaeyezeele 86’), Prosper Kasim (Bruno Lapa 78’); Juan Agudelo (Edi Horvat 56’)
Scoring summary
PIT — Danny Griffin 4’ (Nate Dossantos)
Discipline summary
BHM — Phanuel Kavita 87’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
