Match Recaps

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 23, 2023) — Corner kicks made the difference, as Joe Farrell and Arturo Ordóñez headed in first-half goals to propel the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a 2-1 win over New Mexico United tonight at Highmark Stadium.

The win kept the Hounds (17-5-9) in first place in the Eastern Conference and ensured the team will begin the USL Championship Playoffs at home for the first time since 2019. Kenardo Forbes assisted both Hounds goals in front of another sellout crowd, which moved him into a share of the league lead with nine this season.

Justin Portillo scored a penalty kick in the 83rd minutes for New Mexico (10-14-7), but the Hounds were able to hold on for their fifth consecutive win at home.

---

First half

The Hounds’ potency from set pieces was on display early, as Farrell headed a Danny Griffin free kick just wide after Albert Dikwa was fouled less than 90 seconds into the match. The team was just as sound on the defensive side, turning away five New Mexico corners in the opening half.

Farrell found the target in the 27th minute on the Hounds’ first corner of the match, rising in the middle of traffic to head Forbes’ delivery curling away from the goal. It was the veteran defender’s second goal in his first season with the Hounds.

Ten minutes later, Ordóñez was the player who elevated to find the net, after making a run toward the near post to meet a lower, driven pass from Forbes. It was the second-year pro’s fourth goal of the season, all coming from set pieces.

Farrell nearly ended the half with his second goal, again from a corner kick, but his effort in the 43rd minute struck the crossbar.

Second half

Hounds goalkeeper Jahmali Waite had his biggest moment in the 51st minute, when he charged off his line to block away a shot by Sergio Rivas, who had slipped behind the defense. Nate Dossantos hustled to clear away the rebound, ending New Mexico’s opportunity.

Leading scorer Albert Dikwa nearly added to his total in the 60th minute from a free kick sent to the back post by Forbes. The striker headed the ball on goal, but defender Zico Bailey was able to clear the ball off the goal line for New Mexico.

New Mexico got on the board after Austin Yearwood fired a cross from the left side that struck the arm of Luke Biasi. Biasi had no time to react, but referee Elvis Osmanovic pointed to the spot after ruling the sprinting Hounds’ defender had extended his arm. Portillo converted the spot kick into the top right corner, cutting the Hounds’ lead.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Kenardo Forbes created dangerous opportunities from both dead ball and run-of-play situations, finishing the game with five chances created and his two assists. He also connected on a team-leading 80 percent of his passes on the quick, rain-slicked turf.

What’s next?

The Hounds host FC Tulsa (9-13-9) for their final regular-season home game — Fan Appreciation Night — on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. The teams played to a scoreless draw way back on March 28 in Oklahoma.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Junior Etou, Nate Dossantos, Joe Farrell (Pat Hogan 79’), Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira (Luke Biasi 70’); Kenardo Forbes (Robbie Mertz 70’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; Edward Kizza (JC Obregón 70’), Albert Dikwa (Tola Showunmi 90+3’)

New Mexico United lineup (4-2-3-1) — Andrew Thomas; Zico Bailey, Karen Ryden, Will Seymore, Arturo Astorga; Justin Portillo, Sam Hamilton (Amando Moreno 46’); Jacobo Reyes (Austin Yearwood 63’), Nicky Hernandez (Daniel Bruce 71’), Sergio Rivas (Santi Moar 79’); Greg Hurst (Shanyder Borgelin 63’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Joe Farrell 27’ (Kenardo Forbes)
PIT — Arturo Ordóñez 37’ (Kenardo Forbes)
NM — Justin Portillo 83’ (penalty)

Discipline summary

NM — Kalen Ryden 2’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Joe Farrell 17’ (caution – reckless foul)
NM — Greg Hurst 46’ (caution – reckless foul)
NM — Arturo Astorga 56’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Nate Dossantos 75’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Robbie Mertz 90+7’ (caution – dissent)

(Sept. 16, 2023) — Robbie Mertz scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds extended their lead atop the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win tonight over Miami FC at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami.

The timely goal couldn’t have come at a more important time for the Hounds (16-5-9) or for Mertz, the Pittsburgh native whose last goal was March 11 at Birmingham. Albert Dikwa scored his league-leading 17th goal from the penalty spot to take a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute.

Miami (7-14-8) battled back to tie the match in the 88th minute with a goal by Ryan Telfer, and they did so playing down a man after midfielder Bolu Akinyode was sent off for his second yellow card.

The match began at 7:50 p.m. after a 45-minute lightning delay pushed back kickoff.

---

First half

Chances were scarce for both teams through the first 45, as each side managed just one shot on goal.

Junior Etou was the most dangerous creator in the first half, sending in five crosses just in the first 27 minutes alone. The last of those five wasn’t cleared by the Miami defense and fell for Marc Ybarra, who put a strong shot on net, but it was close enough to Miami goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas for him to make the save.

Moments later, Gabriel Cabral took a free kick from nearly 30 yards for Miami and curled a shot on net, but Hounds goalkeeper Jahmali Waite dove to his right to push the ball wide.

Second half

JC Obregón entered the match as a halftime substitute, and it didn’t take him long to make a massive impact on the game.

Obregón got a half step on Miami defender Paco Craig in the penalty box in the 62nd minute, and the Hounds striker drew enough contact from Craig to earn a penalty kick as he hit the ground. Dikwa stepped up and converted the kick with a low shot to the left of Zendejas, who dove the correct way but didn’t keep the ball out.

The goal, Dikwa’s 17th in USL Championship play, pushes him to third on the Hounds’ single-season scoring list behind only Thiago Martins (22 in 2003) and Rob Vincent (18 in 2015).

Things looked bleak for Miami after Akinyode received his second yellow card in the 76th minute for fouling Ybarra from behind, but desperate to stay in the playoff hunt, Miami pushed players forward. It paid off in the 88th minute when a cross from Cabral on the left made it through all the traffic in front of goal and to Telfer, who scored with an open shot at the back post.

But the Hounds trailed for just two minutes. Luke Biasi took a throw-in deep in Miami territory and received the ball back to play Danny Griffin toward the end line. Griffin kept the ball in play and cut a pass back to the front of goal, where Mertz ran through unmarked and finished with one touch.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Danny Griffin helped create the game-winning goal with his assist, and he was all over the large playing surface in Miami. The midfielder connected on 64 of 70 passes (91.4 percent), had a team-high 78 touches on the ball and won possession of the ball 12 times — the most on either team.

What’s next?

The Hounds return to Highmark Stadium for their final two home games of the regular season, the first of which is Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., when the team hosts New Mexico United (10-13-6). It will be only the second meeting between the clubs, who played a 1-1 draw last season in Albuquerque, and the first meeting in Pittsburgh.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Junior Etou (Illal Osumanu 72’), Nate Dossantos, Joe Farrell, Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira (Tola Showunmi 84’); Kenardo Forbes (Robbie Mertz 61’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; Edward Kizza (JC Obregón 46’), Albert Dikwa (Luke Biasi 72’)

Miami FC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Adrian Zendejas; Aedan Stanley, Paco Craig, Ben Ofeimu, Mark Segbers; Bolu Akinyode (sent off 76’), Gabriel Cabral; Florian Valot, Claudio Repetto (Ryan Telfer 61’), Joaquin Rivas (Christian Sorto 72’); Michael Salazar (Kyle Murphy 72’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Albert Dikwa 63’ (penalty)
MIA — Ryan Telfer 88’ (Gabriel Cabral)
PIT — Robbie Mertz 90’ (Danny Griffin)

Discipline summary

MIA — Joaquin Rivas 9’ (caution – reckless foul)
MIA — Bolu Akinyode 17’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Junior Etou 28’ (caution – reckless foul)
MIA — Paco Craig 62’ (caution – tactical foul)
MIA — Mark Segbers 68’ (caution – dissent)
PIT — Dani Rovira 74’ (caution – tactical foul)
MIA — Bolu Akinyode 76’ (sent off – second caution; reckless foul)
PIT — Danny Griffin 84’ (caution – tactical foul)

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 9, 2023) — Albert Dikwa retook the USL Championship scoring lead with a pair of goals, and Edward Kizza also found the net to give the Pittsburgh Riverhounds a 3-1 win over Loudoun United FC tonight at sold out Highmark Stadium.

Dikwa leads the league with 16 goals after scoring in the 21st and 89th minute, and Kizza’s goal in the 23rd minute gave the Hounds (15-5-9) a 2-0 halftime lead.

Kalil ElMedkhar scored on an excellent shot from distance in the 61st minute for Loudoun (7-19-3), the only shot of the night to beat goalkeeper Christian Garner, who made his third professional start with Jahmali Waite away with the Jamaican National Team.

For the fourth time this season, the Hounds eclipsed the regular-season attendance record with a crowd of 5,512 — the 12th sellout crowd of the season.

---

First half

The Hounds took the initiative in the first half with 55 percent of possession and 11-2 edge in shots during the first 45 minutes.

The scoring started with Kenardo Forbes receiving a pass on the left side of the field and finding Dikwa running toward goal. The striker controlled the ball on his right foot and put a shot into the bottom right corner for a goal that was his 15th, as well as Forbes’ team-leading seventh assist on the season.

Two minutes later, Forbes sent Kizza toward goal with a pass into the box. A defender’s leg kept Kizza from getting clean contact on his initial shot, but the ball rebounded off Loudoun goalie Dane Jacomen — a Pittsburgh native and former Hounds Academy player — for Kizza to pounce on the rebound.

The Hounds continued to press for a third goal. The best chances came in a sequence in the 37th minute, when Jacomen made two of his five saves to deny Kizza and Dikwa, and the Loudoun defense blocked two more rebounded efforts to prevent a third goal.

Second half

The Hounds didn’t exert the same control in the second half. Though the Hounds continued to have the bulk of the chances — total shots finished 19-5 — Loudoun had 58 percent of the ball after the break.

Things got tighter in the 61st minute, when ElMedkhar had time to tee up a shot nearly 25 yards from goal on the left side and curl it into the top right corner of the net. It was the first time Loudoun had scored in six matches at Highmark Stadium.

The Hounds nearly had a third goal minutes later when Forbes put in the rebound of a shot by Tola Showunmi, but the referee had blown play dead for a head injury to Loudoun’s Bryce Washington, who blocked the initial shot.

Finally, the game was put away with Loudoun pushing players forward for a tying goal. That allowed Luke Biasi to find Dikwa alone behind everyone, and the striker finished on the breakaway around Jacomen.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Albert Dikwa continued his career season with his fifth multi-goal game of the year. He totaled five shots in the game, three on net, and also won 2 of 3 tackles and 5 of 11 duels for the ball during his usual high-energy effort.

What’s next?

The Hounds head back on the road next week to face another team battling to stay alive in the playoff race, Miami FC (7-13-8). The teams will meet for the second time this year on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Christian Garner; Junior Etou, Nate Dossantos, Joe Farrell (Luke Biasi 86’), Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira (Pat Hogan 86’); Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra (Robbie Mertz 63’); Edward Kizza (Tola Showunmi 63’), Albert Dikwa (Illal Osumanu 90+1’)

Loudoun United FC (4-4-2) — Dane Jacomen; Jacob Greene (Abdoul Koanda 90+1’), Bryce Washington (Jeremy Garay 72’), Yanis Leerman, Harvey Neville; Cole Turner, Aidan Rocha, Kalil ElMedkhar, Chris Hegardt (Juan Ramirez 90+1’); Tommy Williamson (Wesley Leggett 72’), Zach Ryan (Isaac Espinal 90+1’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Albert Dikwa 21’ (Kenardo Forbes)
PIT — Edward Kizza 23’
LDN — Kalil ElMedkhar 61’ (Jacob Greene)
PIT — Albert Dikwa 89’ (Luke Biasi)

Discipline summary

LDN — Wesley Leggett 74’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Joe Farrell 77’ (caution – tactical foul)

(Aug. 26, 2023) — An inter-conference battle between top contenders played out as billed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and defending champion San Antonio FC playing to a 0-0 draw tonight at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.

Jahmali Waite matched a season-high with four saves to record his ninth shutout of the season, and the Hounds (14-5-9) have a USL Championship-leading 13 clean sheets on the season.

Jordan Farr made one save in goal for San Antonio (13-4-9), while the league’s co-leading scorers — Pittsburgh’s Albert Dikwa and San Antonio’s Tani Oluwaseyi — were held in check.

---

First half

Both defenses shone in the first half, with each making big plays to keep the match scoreless.

Santiago Patiño came close for San Antonio in the eighth minute when he chipped a ball over Waite, who had charged off his line, but Arturo Ordóñez was quick to recover toward goal and cleared the ball from the middle of the 6-yard box.

On the other end, Dikwa had two good chances behind the defense, but each time his effort was snuffed out by a last-ditch challenge — the first by Mitchell Taintor and the second by Carter Manley.

Oluwaseyi had his best look at goal from the top of the box in the 41st minute, but his powerfully struck shot was parried over the bar by Waite to end the half scoreless.

Second half

The Hounds weathered some early possession by San Antonio but regained their footing in a match where they held a 56-44 advantage in possession and had more touches in the opposition box.

Nate Dossantos picked out Tola Showunmi at the near post with a cross at the hour mark, but Showunmi opted to play the ball to Dikwa, who was a stride offside.

San Antonio got a chance in the 76th minute off a Hounds’ turnover in their own half, but again, Waite was able to cleanly save a chance from distance by Oluwaseyi.

The Hounds had some of their best possession in the final 20 minutes, but the best chance to come of it was a give-and-go that set up Danny Griffin for a left-footed shot that Farr easily stopped in the 86th minute.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Jahmali Waite shook off a couple shaky plays in the midweek win at Hartford and had a sure-handed performance controlling his box. In addition to his four saves, he orchestrated a defense that defended 10 San Antonio corner kicks and 21 total crosses.

What’s next?

The Hounds have a rare late-season week off, which will allow the players to rest up for a return to Highmark Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, when they will host Loudoun United FC (7-18-3) at 7 p.m.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-3-2-1) — Jahmali Waite; Nate Dossantos, Illal Osumanu (JC Obregón 75’), Arturo Ordóñez, Luke Biasi; Junior Etou (Dani Rovira 90+1’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; Robbie Mertz (Kenardo Forbes 75’), Tola Showunmi (Joe Farrell 75’); Albert Dikwa (Trevor Zwetsloot 89’)

San Antonio FC lineup (5-3-2) — Jordan Farr; Ismaila Jome, Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Carter Manley, Shannon Gomez; Jacori Hayes (PC 83’), Rida Zouhir, Connor Maloney (Juan Azócar 61’); Tani Oluwaseyi, Santiago Patiño (Justin Dhillon 75’)

Scoring summary

None

Discipline summary

SA — Rida Zouhir 9’ (caution – tactical foul)
SA — Ismaila Jome 21’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Nate Dossantos 41’ (caution – dissent)
SA — Shannon Gomez 90’ (caution – reckless foul) 

(Aug. 23, 2023) — JC Obregón came to the Riverhounds’ rescue late, as the former Hartford man scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to push the Hounds past Hartford Athletic, 4-3, tonight at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Conn.

The Hounds (14-5-8) got two goals from Albert Dikwa and one by Marc Ybarra to establish a three-goal lead, but Hartford (4-17-4) roared back with three goals in eight minutes by Matt Sheldon, Danny Barrera and Antoine Hoppenot to nearly stun the Eastern Conference leaders.

---

First half

Dikwa took advantage of some lax Hartford defending to give the Hounds a 2-0 lead with goals in the 13th and 18th minutes.

His first was a close-range tap-in of a deflected ball struck by Ybarra, and his second was on the rebound of his own shot off the post, giving the striker from Cameroon his 14th goal of the season to tie for the USL Championship lead. He also now has 31 goals in four seasons with the Hounds, moving him into the top five in club history.

Hartford had chances to pull a goal back, most notably when Elvis Amoh chipped a ball around charging Hounds goalie Jahmali Waite, only to see Pat Hogan race back and clear the chance off the line. The hosts also had a late penalty claim denied on a handling call against Arturo Ordóñez, but the referee rules the foul occurred just outside the box.

Second half

Things kept getting better for the Hounds in the 52nd minute, when Ybarra played a pass wide to Dani Rovira and got on the receiving end of the return pass for a headed goal. It was the first professional goal for Ybarra, the second-year pro out of Michigan who was playing his 50th USL Championship match.

Hartford came storming back starting in the 78th minute, when Sheldon redirected a high ball into the box by Juan Pablo Torres for a headed goal. Just three minutes later, the match was 3-2 after Barrera buried an open shot from the top of the box after being picked out by a Hoppenot pass.

In the 86th minute, Hartford pulled level when Hoppenot managed to stab the ball into the net after a scramble in the goal box that the Hounds were unable to clear, but the home team’s joy was short-lived.

Rovira picked out Obregón with a pass the striker was able to take on his chest before turning and shooting high into the Hartford goal. It was the third goal since signing last month for Obregón, and his second against his former team in as many matches.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Albert Dikwa had already been withdrawn from the game by the frantic final 20 minutes, but the Hounds’ leading scorer made his mark with a pair of first-half goals. He was a constant presence pressuring the Hartford back line, contesting a team-high 15 duels, winning six of them, as well as earning a pair of free kicks.

What’s next?

The Hounds complete their three-game road trip with a highly anticipated match at defending champion San Antonio FC (13-4-8) at 9 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 26. The teams have not met this year, and last year’s lone meeting went San Antonio’s way, 1-0, in Pittsburgh.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Dani Rovira, Nate Dossantos (Junior Etou 65’), Arturo Ordóñez, Pat Hogan, Langston Blackstock (Luke Biasi 65’); Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra (Robbie Mertz 65’); Edward Kizza (Joe Farrell 83’), Albert Dikwa (JC Obregón 70’)

Hartford Athletic lineup (3-5-2) — Joe Rice; Niall Logue (Danny Barrera 55’), Conor McGlynn, Triston Hodge (Kaveh Rad 69’); Matt Sheldon, Beverly Makangila (Juan Pablo Torres 55’), Andre Lewis, Edgardo Rito (Kembo Kibato 65’), Luke Merrill (Antoine Hoppenot 55’); Elvis Amoh, Prince Saydee

Scoring summary

PIT — Albert Dikwa 13’
PIT — Albert Dikwa 18’
PIT — Marc Ybarra 52’ (Dani Rovira)
HFD — Matt Sheldon 78’ (Juan Pablo Torres)
HFD — Danny Barrera 81’ (Antoine Hoppenot)
HFD — Antoine Hoppenot 86’
PIT — JC Obregón 88’ (Dani Rovira)

Discipline summary

HFD — Luke Merrill 38’ (caution – reckless foul)
HFD — Triston Hodge 43’ (caution – reckless foul)
HFD — Head coach Omid Namazi (caution – dissent)
PIT — Marc Ybarra 57’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Dani Rovira 90+4’ (caution – delaying restart)
HFD — Kaveh Rad 90+7’ (caution – reckless foul)

(Aug. 16, 2023) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC had its winning streak snapped on the West Coast with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Orange County SC tonight at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif.

Milan Iloski, last year’s leading scorer in the USL Championship, scored the game’s only goal on a counter attack by Orange County (11-9-4) five minutes before halftime.

For the Hounds (13-5-8), goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made a pair of saves, but the attack couldn’t find the net despite an 11-8 edge in shots.

---

First half

The Hounds’ first threatening moments came through center back Arturo Ordóñez, who had a header on target and a left-footed effort over the bar from corner kicks in the first 12 minutes.

Albert Dikwa also forced one of three saves by Orange County goalkeeper Colin Shutler in the 23rd minute, but he couldn’t get much power on his shot moving to the right of goal after being set up by an interception and pass from Marc Ybarra.

Five minutes later, Waite made a stop for the highlight reel with his close-range, diving stop of a Thomas Amang header, and the play ended with Orange County being called offside on the rebound.

The hosts got the breakthrough just before halftime on a long ball forward to Iloski. The striker’s first touch took a fortunate bounce of Ordóñez to turn the defender the wrong way, and that allowed the space for Iloski to finish from the top of the box.

Second half

The Hounds pressed for a tying goal early with long-range efforts by Ybarra and Kenardo Forbes, but the team couldn’t find the frame early in the half.

In the 69th minute, Dikwa reacted quickly to try for a spectacular bicycle kick finish on a pass popped into the box by Dani Rovira, but his effort bounced wide of the left post.

Ybarra had another look at goal in the 90th minute, but a boot in from an Orange County defender took the speed off his shot to make it an easy save for Shutler.

The hosts nearly added a second goal late, but Waite came up with another good save to stop Cameron Dunbar in a 1-on-1 situation from an angle.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Danny Griffin had another busy night in the center of midfield before moving into a more defensive role as the Hounds threw extra attackers into the match. The Hounds’ iron man had 84 touches on the ball and connected on 65 of 71 passes (91.5 percent) while winning possession a team-leading 12 times.

What’s next?

The Hounds will be on regular rest for their next match, a road outing against Hartford Athletic (4-15-4) on Wednesday, Aug. 23 in the Connecticut capital. The teams just met in Pittsburgh last Saturday, when the Hounds took a 2-0 win.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Junior Etou (Trevor Zwetsloot 79’), Nate Dossantos, Joe Farrell (Robbie Mertz 46’), Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira (Edward Kizza 70’); Kenardo Forbes (Luke Biasi 79’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; Tola Showunmi (JC Obregón 70’), Albert Dikwa

Orange County SC lineup (4-1-4-1) — Colin Shutler; Ryan Doghman (Andrew Fox 46’), Dillon Powers, Markus Nakkim, Owen Lambe; Kevin Partida; Kyle Scott (Seth Casiple 58’), Milan Iloski, Ashish Chattha (Brent Richards 72’), Kevin Lankford (Bryce Jamison 46’); Thomas Amang (Cameron Dunbar 82’)

Scoring summary

OC — Milan Iloski 40’

Discipline summary

PIT — Joe Farrell 14’ (caution – reckless foul)
OC — Kevin Partida 63’ (caution – delaying restart)
OC — Bryce Jamison 71’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Marc Ybarra 76’ (caution – tactical foul)
OC — Brent Richards 78’ (caution – deliberate handling)

PITTSBURGH (Aug. 12, 2023) — A three-hour weather delay didn’t knock Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC off its winning run, as the team picked up a 2-0 win over Hartford Athletic tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Albert Dikwa and JC Obregón scored for the Hounds (13-4-8), who improved to 9-1-2 all-time against Hartford (4-15-4). Jahmali Waite made one save to pick up his eighth clean sheet of the season, and the team secured their USL Championship-leading 12th shutout.

The Hounds have won three straight games and maintained their four-point lead atop the Eastern Conference with the victory.

---

First half

Though it was the Hounds’ night, Hartford nearly jumped out shortly after the match kicked off at 10:06 p.m., when Antoine Hoppenot missed just wide of the right post on a fourth-minute chance from near the penalty spot.

On the opposite end, the Hounds were more clinical in the 16th minute. 

Dani Rovira, on the night he became the 16th player with 100 games for the Hounds, poached the ball off Hartford defender Modesto Méndez. Rovira carried the ball into the box and laid the ball across to Dikwa, who finished from 15 yards out for 12th goal in the Championship this season — a new career high.

The Hounds doubled their advantage just three minutes before halftime when Obregón, a former Hartford player, drew a penalty kick when he was knocked over entering the box. Obregón stepped up to take the kick and scored his second goal since signing with the team at the start of July.

Second half

The late start and wet surface led to a sloppy and physical match, as the Hounds were called for 13 fouls, and Hartford was whistled for 20 fouls and booked six times.

Waite made a diving stop on a long-range effort by Hartford veteran Danny Barrera for his only save of the match. The Hounds were unable to add to their lead, however. Edward Kizza came closest in the 66th minute, when his shot from a Junior Etou cross struck the left upright and was corralled by Hartford goalkeeper Joe Rice.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Dani Rovira marked his 100th match with the club with a vintage performance at wing back. The Colombian defender won the ball and created the opening goal, connected on 43 of 46 passes (93.5 percent) and won a team-high 7 of 9 duels.

What’s next?

The Hounds face a short turnaround and a cross-country trip when they travel to face Orange County SC (10-9-4) on Wednesday, August 16, at 10 p.m. in Irvine, Calif. 

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Dani Rovira (Luke Biasi 76’), Arturo Ordóñez, Nate Dossantos, Pat Hogan, Langston Blackstock; Robbie Mertz (Junior Etou 46’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; JC Obregón (Edward Kizza 46’), Albert Dikwa (Tola Showunmi 76’)

Hartford Athletic lineup (5-3-2) — Joe Rice; Edgardo Rito, Triston Hodge, Conor McGlynn, Modesto Méndez (Robin Lapert 59’), Kembo Kibato (Beverly Makangila 46’); Danny Barrera (Matt Sheldon 68’), Juan Pablo Torres (Ash Apollon 78’), Luke Merrill; Prince Saydee, Antoine Hoppenot (Daniel Bloyou 68’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Albert Dikwa 16’ (Dani Rovira)
PIT — JC Obregón 42’ (penalty)

Discipline summary

HFD — Edgardo Rito 6’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Robbie Mertz 22’ (caution – reckless foul)
HFD — Triston Hodge 29’ (caution – persistent infringement)
HFD — Conor McGlynn 35’ (caution – reckless foul)
HFD — Modesto Méndez 41’ (caution – tactical foul)
HFD — Antoine Hoppenot 72’ (caution – dissent)
HFD — Beverly Makangila 90+4’ (caution – tactical foul)

PITTSBURGH (Aug. 5, 2023) — Albert Dikwa’s goal three minutes into the game stood up as the only tally of the game, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds solidified their hold on first place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Dikwa’s goal was his 11th in Championship play. That put the striker two off the league lead, and started a celebration amongst the crowd of 5,490 — setting a new attendance mark for a regular-season match at Highmark for the second week in a row.

Jahmali Waite recorded his seventh league shutout for the Hounds (12-4-8), and he saved the only shot on goal the Rowdies (11-6-5) were able to muster.

---

First half

The Hounds conceded first in their past three matches, but they shook off their recent slow starts to take an early lead.

Arturo Ordóñez stepped up to win the ball from a Rowdies clearance and sent it all the way forward to Tola Showunmi. The first-year pro used his big frame to corral the ball, and he turned into the penalty area, drawing the Tampa Bay defenders. That allowed him to send a soft pass to Dikwa, who ran open into the box and placed his shot around the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead.

The teams then settled into something of a stalemate. The Rowdies held 60 percent of possession, but much of that wasn’t dangerous, as the Hounds limited Tampa Bay to only five touches in their box for the entire game.

The Rowdies’ most dangerous moment came in the 44th minute, when their leading scorer, J.J. Williams, managed to wiggle free in the left side of the penalty area. He fired a hard shot toward the near post, but Waite was well-positioned to parry the ball away toward the corner flag.

Second half

Tampa Bay had their best spell of the match early in the second half, but the Rowdies still only managed a pair of off-target chances — a header by Conner Antley from a corner kick and an attempt from distance by Charlie Dennis.

The Hounds were effective at taking the air out of the ball late, possessing deep in Rowdies territory, playing patiently, and winning free kicks to help finish out the game. Over the final 15 minutes of the match, less than 10 percent of play occurred in the Hounds’ defensive third, securing the league-lead-tying 11th shutout of the season for the Hounds.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Albert Dikwa started August with a splash after only scoring once while returning from a broken collarbone during July. He netted the winning goal, drew two free kicks — including a critical one in stoppage time — and was always buzzing around the goal with four shots and six touches in the Rowdies’ box.

What’s next?

The Hounds wrap up their four-game homestead and the “Summer of Soccer” at Highmark Stadium when they welcome the last conference opponent they have yet to face, Hartford Athletic (4-14-4). Hartford is at the bottom of the East, but they did win tonight, topping visiting New Mexico, 2-1. 

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Luke Biasi, Nate Dossantos (Trevor Zwetsloot 77’), Joe Farrell, Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira (Edward Kizza 65’); Kenardo Forbes (Pat Hogan 77’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; Tola Showunmi (Langston Blackstock 65’), Albert Dikwa (Robbie Mertz 90+2’)

Tampa Bay Rowdies lineup (3-5-2) — Connor Sparrow; Aarón Guillén, Freddy Kleemann; Conner Antley; Jake Areman, Yann Ekra, Jordan Doherty, Charlie Dennis (Cal Jennings 70’), Dayonn Harris (Abel Caputo 27’); Jake LaCava (Ariel Martínez 79’), J.J. Williams (Lucky Mkosana 79’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Albert Dikwa 3’ (Tola Showunmi)

Discipline summary

PIT — Dani Rovira 34’ (caution – reckless foul)
TBR — Jake LaCava 45+1’ (caution – dissent)

PITTSBURGH (July 29, 2023) — A second-half flurry helped the Pittsburgh Riverhounds snap their two-game skid, as the Hounds scored three times in the first 16 minutes after the break to rally for a 4-2 win over Memphis 901 FC tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Joe Farrell, Dani Rovira, J.C. Obregón and Tola Showunmi all scored for the Hounds (11-4-8), who maintained their hold on first in the Eastern Conference. Luiz Fernando and Rodrigo da Costa scored for Memphis (8-6-6), which led 2-0 after 35 minutes.

The match was littered with milestones, including two pieces of team history. Farrell’s goal was the 1,000th in the Riverhounds’ 24-season history, while the sellout crowd of 5,466 was the largest for a regular-season match in Highmark Stadium history.

---

First half

While play was even for much of the first half, the Hounds fell behind early for a third straight match in the 11th minute. Aaron Molloy threaded a low pass through the defense to Fernando, who was able to take a touch, turn and shoot from just inside the penalty area.

The visitors doubled the lead in the 35th minute from a corner kick, as Molloy served a ball to the back post, where Da Costa was first to rise to the ball and headed it home.

Danny Griffin nearly pulled a goal back for the Hounds when Kenardo Forbes fed him a low pass at the top of the box, but his curling shot was stopped by a diving save, one of four by Memphis’ Drew Romig.

The Hounds broke through on the ensuing corner kick in the 41st minute, when Griffin dribbled into the box from a short corner and played the ball into traffic in front of goal. In a crowd of players, Farrell eventually booted the ball into the net to make it 2-1 and score the historic Hounds goal.

Second half

With momentum on their side, the Hounds continued to put the pressure on Memphis, and the goals started flying in.

Forbes worked his way to the goal line and sent a left-footed cross to the back post in the 49th minute. Rovira sprinted forward from his right back position and slammed a well-placed shot off the underside of the crossbar to score his first professional goal in his 98th appearance for the Hounds.

Six minutes later, Showunmi broke down the left flank after a turnover left Memphis scrambling back. He found Obregón open in front of goal, and though Romig stopped the initial shot, Obregón was first to follow up and score his first since being acquired by the Hounds at the start of the month.

Showunmi added the team’s fourth in the 61st minute — scoring his second in as many games — by receiving a pass down the middle from Marc Ybarra and holding up play long enough to create room to shoot into the bottom corner of the net.

The Hounds saw out the match with their lead by limiting Memphis to one shot and zero touches inside the Hounds’ box in the second half.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Kenardo Forbes was another player to reach a personal milestone with his 50th assist for the Riverhounds on Rovira’s tying goal, and he also was at his best moving the ball around the park tonight, connecting on 42 of 45 passes (93.3 percent), sending in five crosses and even adding a clearance on the defensive end.

What’s next?

The gauntlet of tough conference matches continues at home with the third-place Tampa Bay Rowdies (11-5-5) coming to Highmark Stadium for a match next Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. The Rowdies kept pace with a 3-0 win at home tonight over FC Tulsa.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Jahmali Waite; Junior Etou (Robbie Mertz 75’), Nate Dossantos (Pat Hogan 75’), Joe Farrell, Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira; Kenardo Forbes (DZ Harmon 85’), Danny Griffin, Marc Ybarra; Tola Showunmi (Luke Biasi 63’), J.C. Obregón (Albert Dikwa 63’)

Memphis 901 FC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Drew Romig; Akeem Ward, Jelani Peters (Leston Paul 83’), Graham Smith (sent off 90’), Rece Buckmaster; Emerson Hyndman, Aaron Molloy; Laurent Kissiedou (Nighte Pickering 63’), Lucas Turci (Carson Vom Steeg 63’), Luiz Fernando (Dylan Borczak 83’); Rodrigo da Costa

Scoring summary

MEM — Luiz Fernando 11’ (Aaron Molloy)
MEM — Rodrigo da Costa 35’ (Aaron Molloy)
PIT — Joe Farrell 41’
PIT — Dani Rovira 49’ (Kenardo Forbes)
PIT — J.C. Obregon 55’
PIT — Tola Showunmi 61’ (Marc Ybarra)

Discipline summary

PIT — J.C. Obregón 56’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
MEM — Graham Smith 56’ (caution – dissent)
MEM — Graham Smith 90’ (sent off – second caution/reckless foul)
MEM — Aaron Molloy 90’ (caution – dissent)

PITTSBURGH (July 26, 2023) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds suffered their first home loss of the season tonight at Highmark Stadium, where Indy Eleven raced out to an early lead and maintained their advantage to take the game, 3-1.

Aodhan Quinn, Sebastián Guenzatti and Harrison Robledo scored for Indy (6-7-7) before Tola Showunmi got a late goal for the Hounds (10-4-8).

Before the match, a ceremony was held to honor former Hounds coach and general manager Gene Klein, who died Monday of cancer. Players and staff wore commemorative “GK” armbands, and many of Klein’s family and former colleagues were in attendance.

---

First half

A game with not much in it got its first goal in stunning fashion.

Hounds goalkeeper Jahmali Waite stepped out of his box to send the ball to midfield, where Quinn took the clearance off his chest in the 13th minute. The veteran midfielder took one more touch before lashing a perfect half-volley from 40 yards away, dropping the ball in the top corner over the retreating Waite.

Indy added its second in the 35th minute when Cam Lindley sent a pass from the right flank behind the Hounds defense. Veteran forward Guenzatti managed to get a boot to the ball with defenders draped over him, putting the Hounds in a two-goal hole at home for the first time this season.

Second half

The Hounds had their best stretch of play to begin the second half, but the final touch was lacking, as the team didn’t record a shot on goal until the final 10 minutes.

JC Obregón came close to getting his first Hounds goal in the 54th minute with a shot from the top of the box that missed inches wide of the right post. Indy, meanwhile, didn’t record a shot from their second goal until the 67th minute, but the Eleven soon added to their lead.

Douglas Martinez led the counter attack down the right side, and with the Hounds pushing numbers forward, Robledo had acres of space to tap the pass from Martinez.

The Hounds had more chances late, the best being a give-and-go between Danny Griffin and Showunmi that ended with Griffin’s low shot being too close to the goalkeeper. Showunmi got the Hounds on the board in the 89th minute by using his strength to receive a pass from Marc Ybarra before turning and shooting.

---

Heineken Man of the Match

Danny Griffin was his usual workmanlike self on a night the Hounds were not at their best. Griffin won 6 of 8 duels, won possession eight times and connected on 58 of a team-high 74 passes for an 81 percent clip.

What’s next?

Facing their first losing streak of the season, the Hounds again have to bounce back on short rest when they host Memphis 901 FC (8-5-6) on Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds won at Memphis, 3-1, in the second game of the season back on March 18.

---

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-2-1-2) — Jahmali Waite; Langston Blackstock (Dani Rovira 78’), Trevor Zwetsloot (Tola Showunmi 62’), Arturo Ordóñez, Pat Hogan (JC Obregón 46’), Burke Fahling (Kenardo Forbes 46’); Danny Griffin, Junior Etou; Robbie Mertz; Edward Kizza (Marc Ybarra 46’), Albert Dikwa

Indy Eleven lineup (4-2-3-1) — Tim Trilk; Younes Boudadi, Callum Chapman-Page (Adrian Diz 46’), Mechak Jérôme, Robby Dambrot (Roberto Molina 90+4’); Cam Lindley, Aodhan Quinn; Solomon Asante (Macauley King 78’), Sebastián Guenzatti, Harrison Robledo (Sebastián Velásquez 78’); Stéfano Pinho (Douglas Martinez 61’)

Scoring summary

IND — Aodhan Quinn 13’
IND — Sebástian Guenzatti 35’ (Cam Lindley)
IND — Harrison Robledo 73’ (Douglas Martinez)
PIT — Tola Showunmi 89’ (Marc Ybarra)

Discipline summary

IND — Cam Lindley 34’ (caution – dissent)
PIT — Arturo Ordóñez 43’ (caution – dissent)
PIT — Tola Showunmi 90+3’ (caution – unsporting behavior)