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Hounds look to clinch third consecutive playoff berth

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, winners of its last three matches, has a chance to clinch its third straight playoff appearance under head coach Bob Lilley with a win against Hartford Athletic on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium.

Never before in club history has the team made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.

A win would put the Hounds at 28 points, the most in the Eastern Conference. The win would also put considerable distance between Pittsburgh and second-place Hartford, as the Hounds look to not only make the playoffs, but win Group F and secure home playoff matches.

The last time these two teams met, back on Aug. 28 at Dillon Stadium, Hartford was held scoreless for the first time this season. This match was one of many in which the Hounds asserted their dominance over group opponents. In eight group matches, the Hounds have only allowed three goals, while scoring 28.

“I expect Hartford to be hungry for points,” defender Skylar Thomas said. “We’re getting later in the season, and points mean a lot more now. We’re both at the top of the table, so I expect their best. If we stay together and do what we do best, we can secure the three points.”

It’s no secret that the Hounds have improved as the season has gone along, which is why they are in a position to clinch a playoff berth. They have held opponents scoreless for the last 303 minutes of play and haven’t allowed a goal in Group F play since Aug. 8 against New York Red Bulls II.

“We’re certainly understanding how to create space,” Lilley said. “We’re understanding certain situations in the game, and I think we’re calmer as a group. We’re more confident, and guys are starting to get a feel for each other. I think we’ve done a lot of the hard work through our first 12 games, getting better and learning lessons. I think we’re defending better, and we’ve certainly been great in goal. We’re always looking to get better, but I think the biggest thing we’ve improved upon is managing the game.”

Three of Pittsburgh’s final four matches will be played at Highmark Stadium, including two matches against Hartford. As such, it is evident that the Hounds control their own destiny.

“I think we’ve been building pretty well as a team,” defender Jordan Dover said. “I think it’s important that we keep trending upward, though. We’ve been playing fairly well recently and we’re trying to tighten up a few things. To win the group would be huge for our confidence, to earn home games in the playoffs.”

RDA Weekend Recap – 9/9

After working through months of individual training, coaching via social media, social distancing in small groups and finally getting back to full practices, it was finally time for the boys and girls of the Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) to return to the thrill of competition.

The RDA spent Labor Day weekend taking part in the PA Classics Keystone Cup, held at sites around Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was a markedly successful weekend, not just for the four division-winning teams and seven other finalist sides representing the Hounds, but also just for the payoff of getting back on the field representing the black and yellow in tournament play.

“It was great to get the teams back out there and competing after a long layoff,” Academy Director Scott Gibson said. “The tournament was extremely professional and provided some very high-level competition for our teams. We were delighted with the overall performance of our RDA teams and having the success we had was a nice bonus. Our main priority, however, was to use the games as preparation for the competitive season ahead, and it certainly did that.”

Four squads were title winners – the 07 Girls and 07 Regional League Girls from the RDA’s city teams and the 08 Girls and 09 Girls from the RDA East – and each faced challenging competition along their path to the top.

For the 07 Girls, it came down to the final kick of the day, as the team topped FC Delco on penalty kicks, 5-4, after playing to a 1-1 draw in the last match. That came after round-robin wins of 3-1 and 3-0 on Saturday and an early Sunday semifinal that ended 5-1 over the host club.

The Regional League side got their one draw of the weekend done early, a 2-2 result with Northeast Cantalao Attack. Those would be the only goals conceded by the side on the weekend, as they reached the final with wins of 5-0 and 1-0 before defeating NCA in a championship rematch, 2-0. Braiden Recker was excellent in goal, particularly in the 1-0 semifinal shutout of FC Delco, while Sidney Towers’ free kick and Chloe Karsman’s strike off a corner kick showed the side’s set piece skills in the final.

An opening-match draw also left the 09 East Girls with work to do Sunday to ensure they would reach the final, but they romped through their second day with an 8-0 win to secure advancement on goal difference before topping Parkland, 4-0, in the championship game.

The 08 East Girls had their lopsided wins early, scoring 17 goals in two Saturday matches. While their Sunday wasn’t as lopsided, the team was efficient in a 3-1 win over Penn Fusion and a 2-0 shutout of Delaware Union to win it.

Among the other highlights of the weekend were some high-scoring wins for the 09 Boys, which included Warren Agostoni scoring the first return-to-play hat trick for the RDA – one of two by Agostoni – in the team’s opening win. The boys were one of the seven RDA teams stopped in the final, running out of gas against a strong PA Classics side playing at home, 6-2.

The 08 Girls also had an exciting semifinal win over FC Europa, 1-0, as Adlyn Roth tapped in a cross from Averie Bierker for the only goal, while the 07 East Boys showed some toughness to hold on for a 0-0 draw they needed to qualify in their final group match against NCA.

Also reaching finals were the 07 East Girls, the 10 East Boys, the 08 RDA II Boys and the 11 Girls.

As the 2020-21 playing season progresses, the Live Results page will be the place to go to get scores each day as RDA squads compete and travel the country, as well as other links to items of note for RDA players, families and fans.

Sunday, Sept. 6

At the Keystone Cup in Lancaster, Pa.:

• It came down to penalties for the 07 Girls, but the team held its nerve to top FC Delco in the final, winning 5-4 on spot kicks after letting a lead slip in a 1-1 draw. The team had cruised into the title game with a 5-1 semifinal win over PA Classics; the scoring was spread out with Emma Schupansky netting two goals and Simone Sharpless, Mia Deramo and Helena Walker also scoring.

• The 07 Regional League Girls were also victorious, but they had to work for both their knockout wins. Braiden Recker posted the semifinal shutout, and Mela Barnhart scored the only goal in the second half of a 1-0 win over FC Delco. The final was another shutout, this time by a 2-0 score over Northeast Cantalao Attack. After a scoreless first half, Sidney Towers scored from 20 yards out on a free kick, and Chloe Karsman padded the lead from a corner kick.

• The 09 East Girls put in their most complete performance of the weekend in the final, as they dispatched Parkland, 4-0. They only reached the final by the slimmest of margins, however, as the team took the top spot in the group by a single goal over Penn Fusion, who they drew with Saturday. The Hounds won easily in their final group game, 8-0 over Delaware Union, to get the needed maximum goal difference (3).

• Also bringing home the trophy was the 08 East Girls, who took care of Delaware Union in shutout fashion, 2-0. The final was the second of two good matches on the day, as the team secured the top spot in their group with a 3-1 win over Penn Fusion.

• The 07 East Girls struggled to get much together offensively, but they still reached their final on penalties after a scoreless semifinal with PA Rush. The lack of scoring stopped them in the championship game, however, a 2-0 loss to Keystone Athletic.

• The 09 Boys finished group play in resounding fashion, riding a Warren Agostoni hat trick to a 7-0 win over Next Level Ajax (Md.) and first place. But the tables turned in the final, as goals by Christian Ovaul and Dylan Shallenberger weren’t enough, and the team appeared to run out of steam in a 6-2 loss to hosts PA Classics.

• Adlyn Roth tapped in at the back post from an Averie Bierker cross just before halftime to give the 08 Girls a 1-0 semifinal win over FC Europa. The final was a rematch against a North Union United side that toppled the Hounds 8-0 just a day earlier, but today’s match was a polar opposite. Ava Hutter equalized after the RDA fell behind, and it took a goal with less than two minutes remaining to send the Hounds to a 2-1 defeat. Despite the loss, the seven-goal swing from a day earlier showed how much progress the team made in their first weekend back.

• The 07 East Boys played well enough to win but were held to a scoreless draw by Northeast Cantalao Attack in their final group game, but a 2-0-1 record was enough to win the pool and advance to the final. The team couldn’t quite click or string anything together in its last match, however, and the Hounds fell 2-0 to FC Revolution.

• A 5-0 win over FC Revolution completed a perfect run through group play for the 10 East Boys, but the side didn’t have their A-game in the final and fell by a 2-1 score to Northeast Cantalao Attack.

• The RDA II 08 Boys played their second draw of the weekend, 0-0 with Baltimore Celtic SC, and a 1-0-2 record was enough to win the group. The team found itself down 1-0 within five minutes against a very direct Pipeline North squad in the final, but while the RDA side eventually established some possession, they couldn’t finish a chance and fell to the lone goal.

• A final wasn’t in the cards for the 09 Girls, but they still had a winning day with a 3-1 triumph over West Schuykill FC and a 2-0 win over Harford FC (Md.).

Saturday, Sept. 5

At the Keystone Cup in Lancaster, Pa.:

• The 09 Boys played the highest-scoring match of the morning games with more than enough offense to make up for a few defensive lapses in a 10-3 victory over Pipeline SC (Md.). Warren Agostoni netted the first return-to-play hat trick, while Dylan Shallenberger scored twice, and Carson Torres, Cole Celedonie, Christian Avalle, Paul Fitzsimmons and Liam McKim also had goals. After falling behind in their second match, it didn’t take much to spark the boys to a 7-1 win over Harleysville in the afternoon match, where Celedonie, Agostini and Shallenberger had braces.

• Camryn McLean scored twice for the 09 East Girls in a 4-2 win over Fusion FC. Ava Ruvalcaba and Rylee Leasher also had goals for the RDA side, which controlled possession and created plenty of chances to add to their goal total. Leasher had another two goals in the second match, but the team finished with a 3-3 draw against Penn Fusion.

• The 07 Boys had a let-down in a 2-0 loss to PA Dominion, but they rebounded with a 2-0 win over FC Delco, keeping the goal differential in their favor with strikes by JJ Vozar and Roman Agostoni. Goalie Sam Wessel and defenders Daniel Moya-Gibbons and Justin Walsh were great in the win.

• The 07 East Girls overcame a shaky opening stretch to top Tredyffrin Easttown YSA, 3-1, behind a pair of Carmella Simco goals. Leah Paugh also scored for the Hounds, who played in control throughout the second half. The team had a quick turnaround became the first RDA side to get their second win with a 2-0 victory over West Schuykill FC. Many chances were left unfinished, but Paugh and Evelyn Campbell locked up the three points with goals.

• The 10 Girls RDA II side also began with a high-scoring win, topping PA Mutiny by a 7-4 count. The back line improved throughout after facing some early problems, but the Hounds got more than enough scoring with two each from Rachel Braidic and Ashleigh Mitrik and Milan Pennetti, and a single strike by Alexa Pealer.

• The 09 East Boys turned in a pair of excellent wins, 8-2 over FC Revolution and 10-0 over FC Delco. Noah Jurcevich scored four times over the two games, while three goals each were scored by Jackson Baker, Chase Hall and Matthew Kolencik.

• The 08 East Girls cruised in their opening match, a 10-0 victory over Lionville Volt that saw two goals each by Addison Bandemer, Sadie Hostetler, Siena Ali and Ella VanNorman. VanNorman, Bandemer and Patterson twice scored again against Penn FC in the second match.

• The 07 Girls showed their class with a 3-1 win over Eagle FC and a 3-0 win against FC Delco.

• The 11 Girls posted a clean sheet with a 4-0 triumph overCASA Arsenal, and followed it up with a 5-1 win over Eagle FC.

• The 10 East Boys also had a commanding win to start play, 6-2 over FC Europa. They backed it up with another win, 5-1, against PA Classics.

• Neither side could stop scoring in the 12 East Boys’ 11-7 win over FC Delco, in which Cadon Holland scored four and Liam Pletcher had three for the Hounds. Nick Bosnic and Ridge Brunson added two tallies each for the RDA.

• Zach White scored and had a strong individual game, but the 08 Boys faced their share of early struggles in an opening 4-1 loss to Penn Fusion.

• Gabby Bunyak had the Hounds’ goal, but the 10 Girls RDA II team lost a hard-fought 2-1 battle against host club PA Classics.

• The 10 East Girls weren’t overmatched but got caught playing out of the back with pressure from South Parkland in a 5-0 defeat.

• The 08 Girls had a rough first introduction to 11-a-side play with an 8-0 loss to North Union United, but the side bounced back strongly to earn a 2-1 win over Penn FC. The team fell behind in the win, but Emma Kline pulled the score level before halftime, and Morgan Ferris scored the winner with eight minutes remaining.

• The 08 Regional League Girls also fell 5-0 to perennial power FC Delco in a game where the back line didn’t play poorly, but the side needed to produce more attack and possession to relieve pressure.

• Joe Brown had the finishing touch for the 07 East Boys, as he scored in a 2-1 comeback win over FC Delco and a 2-0 win over FC Europa.

• Clair Karsman scored all four goals against FC Delco in a strong 4-0 win for the 10 Girls, but the team needed to find some stronger play physically after a 3-1 loss in its second match.

• The 07 Regional League Girls battled for a 2-2 draw against Northeast Attack, as CC Wessel and Alexis Sullinger struck in the draw. Wessel struck again, as did Sullinger twice in a 5-0 win against CASA Arsenal, where Mela Barnhart and Chloe Karsman also scored.

• The 07 RDA II Boys had some problems of their own doing, but the side battled to steal a 3-2 win over Penn Fusion by scoring from a last-minute corner kick.

Robbie Mertz named to USL Championship Team of the Week

PITTSBURGH (September 8, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC midfielder Robbie Mertz has been named to USL Championship Team of the Week after recording a goal and four key passes across the club’s two victories against Loudoun United FC and New York Red Bulls II this past week.

During the Hounds’ 3-0 win against Loudoun United FC on Sept. 1 at Highmark Stadium, Mertz tied for a game-high two key passes while posting a 91 percent passing accuracy. The Pittsburgh native followed up this performance with a goal in the club’s 3-0 victory against New York Red Bulls II on Sept. 5 at Red Bull Arena. He also tied for a game-high with two chances created against Red Bulls II.

This season, the second-year player leads the Hounds with 12 points (five goals and two assists) and is second on the club with 14 key passes.

This is the third time Mertz has been named to Team of the Week this season.

In addition, goalkeeper Danny Vitiello has been named to Team of the Week bench after posting a clean sheet in both the Hounds’ aforementioned matches this past week. Across these two games, the Massapequa, New York native posted five total saves. This season, he leads the Hounds with a 0.50 goals-against average and .833 save percentage.

Riverhounds SC (8-3-1) is back in action at 7 p.m. this Saturday at Highmark Stadium, as the club will clash with Hartford Athletic (6-2-1) in a Group F showdown. Saturday’s match will be locally televised on 22 The Point.

For more information on Team of the Week for Week 11, presented by Cleer Audio, visit uslchampionship.com.

HOUNDS NAMED TO TEAM OF THE WEEK:
Jordan Dover: Week 3 – July 14
Robbie Mertz: Week 3 – July 14
Kenardo Forbes: Week 4 – July 21
Danny Griffin: Week 4 – July 21
Kenardo Forbes: Week 6 – Aug. 4
Robbie Mertz: Week 7 – Aug. 11
Danny Vitiello: Week 9 – Aug. 25
*Ryan James: Week 10 – Sept. 1
Robbie Mertz: Week 11 – Sept. 8

*Player of the Week

Hounds continue dominant Group F performance

After a busy three-games-in-nine-days stretch, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has helped solidify its spot atop of Group F while logging a 3-0-0 record during this timeframe.

With games against Hartford Athletic, Loudoun United FC and New York Red Bulls II, all of which ended with 3-0 victories in the Hounds’ favor, the team now leads Group F by six points.

During this stretch of games, where the Hounds outscored their opponents 9-0, eight of their nine goals were scored by different players. And defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele has also reached another feat for the season, playing 1,080 minutes, equaling to all 12 full-games played thus far.

In addition, Pittsburgh has now recorded six clean sheets in eight group matches.

“We defended well,” head coach Bob Lilley said after the New York match. “We’ll have to be solid on both sides of the ball and stay aggressive moving forward. We got our goal and we still looked to attack in the second half.”

The Hounds now face a more relaxed September schedule. The club will play one game per week from here on out, as the four remaining games are all scheduled for Saturdays. And the Black and Gold will look to carry its winning ways into the remaining schedule, as the club looks to clinch first place in Group F.

“It was one of the better 90-minute performances we’ve had,” Lilley said in reference to the game against Red Bulls II. “Hopefully, this will help us going into the last four games with the momentum we have.”

The team is now looking forward to facing off against Hartford again, this time on their home turf on Sept. 12. Riverhounds SC defeated Hartford, 3-0, earlier this season at Dillon Stadium.

“It’s a big run for us,” Lilley said. “Hopefully with the rest, we’ll have a little more time to get ready for another big game against Hartford next Saturday.”

Hounds win third straight, defeat New York, 3-0

HARRISON, N.J. (September 5, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (8-3-1) defeated New York Red Bulls II (3-7-0), 3-0, tonight at Red Bull Arena.

Ropapa Mensah opened up the scoring in the 45th minute, after he chipped the ball over New York goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley. The Hounds benefited from an own goal in the 51st minute, and Robbie Mertz scored Pittsburgh’s third goal in the 58th minute. Danny Vitiello held it down in net, earning his third clean sheet of the season.

The Hounds now lead the USL Championship Eastern Conference with 25 points this season.

“It’s a big run for us,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “Hopefully with the rest, we’ll have a little more time to get ready for another big game against Hartford next Saturday. We battled well in the first half. The goal before the half was a big moment for us. I felt we had a good second half, and guys were up for it. It was one of the better 90-minute performances we’ve had. Hopefully, this will help us going into the last four games with the momentum we have.

“Today, we defended well. We’ll have to be solid on both sides of the ball and stay aggressive moving forward. We got our goal and we still looked to attack in the second half. There were a lot of good performances today across the board, and I thought the subs were quite good when they came into the game. It was a good team win.”

First Half

The teams combined for just two shots in the opening 30 minutes of play.

The Hounds had a great chance in the 37th minute, when Mertz sent a free kick to Thomas Vancaeyezeele on the right side of the penalty area. Vancaeyezeele then headed the ball into the back of the net, but was ruled offside.

The Hounds had another quality opportunity in the 45th minute, when Ray Lee sent a long pass to Mensah on the left side of the penalty area. Mensah then chipped the ball over New York goalkeeper Lapsley, after Lapsley came off his line to challenge him.

Pittsburgh allowed just one shot on target in the first half, coming in the 24th minute. New York midfielder Chris Lema drove a shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom-left corner. Vitiello corralled the shot to keep the match scoreless.

Second Half

The Hounds were the beneficiary of an own goal in the 51st minute, after a faulty clear from Preston Kilwien bounced into the back of the net, giving the Hounds a two-goal lead.

Mensah nearly scored his second goal of the match in the 55th minute off a corner kick. However, the striker was ruled offside after placing the ball into the back of the net.

Steevan Dos Santos was involved in Pittsburgh’s next opportunity, which came in the 58th minute. He sent a pass to the center of the penalty area, which was deflected by a nearby defender. Mertz regained possession for the Hounds on the left side of the 18-yard box and sent a shot into the back of the net, giving the Hounds a three-goal lead.

New York nearly scored its first goal of the match in the 60th minute. From outside the penalty box, Dantouma Torre sent a left-footed shot toward the bottom-right corner, but was denied by the right post.

Albert Dikwa almost scored his second goal in as many games in the 78th minute, but his header was rejected by the right post.

Hound of the Match, presented by EPIC

Robbie Mertz scored Pittsburgh’s third goal and tallied three key passes. He also accumulated a game-high four tackles.

Beyond the Box Score, presented by Beyond Self Storage

The Hounds have recorded six clean sheets in Group F play (7-1-0) this season.

What’s Next

Riverhounds SC will return to Highmark Stadium for a matchup against Hartford Athletic (5-2-1) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. The match will be televised on 22 The Point.

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC – Danny Vitiello; Ray Lee, Thomas Vancaeyezelee, Skylar Thomas; Ryan James, Robbie Mertz (Dani Rovira 87’), Danny Griffin (Lukas Fernandes 87’), Mark Lindstrom (Patrick Bunk-Andersen 61’), Jordan Dover; Steevan Dos Santos (Anthony Velarde 66’), Ropapa Mensah (Albert Dikwa 62’)

Subs not used: Tomás Gómez, Mark Forrest

New York Red Bulls II – Wallis Lapsley; John Tolkin (Boima Cummins 81’), Preston Kilwein, Roy Boateng (Joseph Fala 62’), Edgardo Rito; Barry Sharifi (Tapiwa Shumba 62’), Chris Lema, Caden Clark (Kenan Hot 68’), Jake LaCava (Omar Sowe 68’), Cherif Dieye; Dantouma Toure

Subs not used: Alex Bobocea, Samad Bounthong

Scoring Summary:
PIT – Ropapa Mensah 45’ (Ray Lee)
PIT – Preston Kilwein 51′ (own goal)
PIT – Robbie Mertz 58’

Misconduct Summary:
NY – Preston Kilwein 11’ (caution)
NY – Roy Boateng 16’ (caution)
PIT – Mark Lindstrom 23’ (caution)
NY – Cherif Dieye 26‘ (caution)
NY – Edgardo Rito 45’+2 (caution)
PIT – Jordan Dover 86’ (caution)

Defense at core of Hounds' success

Defense has been at the center of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s dominance in Group F this season. The Hounds have allowed just three goals in seven Group F matches, all scored by their next opponent – New York Red Bulls II.

The Hounds also rank among the best defensive teams in the Eastern Conference in several stats. They are tied for the Eastern Conference lead in clean sheets, with five, and are tied for second in goals conceded, with eight. They lead the USL Championship in goal differential, a true testament to their balanced approach.

“I think getting guys back has helped,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “We’ve had a lot of guys step in, some off injury, to help us out. These guys, like Ray Lee, Patrick Bunk-Andersen, Mark Lindstrom and Thomas Vancaeyezeele are getting more time, and organizing and talking. I feel like that has helped, and that’s going to help us in the games coming up.”

Saturday’s match against New York, which kicks off at 5 p.m. at Red Bull Arena, will be the last of a three-game-in-nine-day stretch for the club. Despite short rest, the Hounds have stepped up in their last two matches, both in group play. They shut out Hartford Athletic, 3-0, on Friday, and recorded another clean sheet against Loudoun United FC on Tuesday.

To extend their winning streak to three games, the Hounds will have to halt a New York team that has no problem with putting the ball in the back of the net. New York is the only Group F team to score on the Hounds, and handed them their sole loss in group play back on July 26.

“I think we have a great opportunity to end a tough week with maximum points,” Lilley said. “We talked about it as a group and we expect to see their best punch. We’re walking into a very motivated New York team that is going to give us their best. I think they’re going to be flying right out of the gate. If we can deal with that, I think we have the quality and the ability to give ourselves opportunities to win this game. The more games we win down the stretch, the better opportunity we’ll have to play playoff games at home.”

Hounds victorious against Loudoun, 3-0

PITTSBURGH (September 1, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (7-3-1) defeated Loudoun United FC (1-6-2), 3-0, tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Mark Forrest scored his first goal of the season in the 5th minute, after converting a penalty kick. Anthony Velarde converted another penalty kick for the Hounds in the 8th minute, giving him four goals on the year. Albert Dikwa scored Pittsburgh’s final goal in the 88th minute in his first game in a Pittsburgh uniform.

Danny Vitiello held it down in net, earning his second clean sheet with the Hounds.

First Half

In the 5th minute, the Hounds had a golden opportunity to get on the board. After a foul by Loudoun’s Shane Wiedt in the penalty area, the Hounds were awarded a penalty kick. Forrest sent the ensuing penalty shot into the bottom-left corner, past the outstretched arms of Loudoun goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre.

The Hounds were awarded another penalty kick in the 8th minute, after a Loudoun hand ball in the penalty area. Velarde converted the subsequent penalty kick, also sending his shot into the bottom-left corner.

Then, in the 16th minute, Loudoun earned a penalty kick of its own, after a foul from Jordan Dover in the penalty box. The subsequent penalty kick was knocked away by Vitiello to keep the clean sheet intact.

Ropapa Mensah nearly added to Pittsburgh’s lead in the 21st minute. After he created space in the center of the penalty area, he sent a shot just high of the net. Mensah generated another opportunity in the 28th minute, after taking a long run on the right wing. With just Lefebvre to beat, he sent a shot toward the bottom-right corner, which was narrowly saved.

The Hounds outshot Loudoun, 6-4, in the first half and tallied four shots on goal.

Second Half

Loudoun put pressure on the Hounds to start the second half. In the 49th minute, Alioune Ndour sent a shot on frame from the center of the penalty area, which was saved by Vitiello in the center of the net.

The Hounds nearly added to their lead in the 57th minute. Dover sent a cross to Lukas Fernandes in the left side of the six-yard box, who barely missed to the left on a header.

After tracking down a loose ball in the 88th minute, Dikwa had room to work in the center of the penalty area. He quickly sent a shot into the bottom-right corner as Lefebvre stepped off his line, giving the Hounds a 3-0 lead. Then, in stoppage time, Dikwa narrowly missed to the right after penetrating Loudoun’s backline.

For as active as they were on offense, the Hounds were just as stingy on defense. They stifled several Loudoun opportunities and ultimately secured the clean sheet for their efforts.

Hound of the Match, presented by EPIC

In his Hounds debut, Albert Dikwa accumulated three shots on target and scored Pittsburgh’s third goal.

Beyond the Box Score, presented by Beyond Self Storage

The Hounds have earned a point in six of their last seven matches.

What’s Next

Riverhounds SC will travel to Red Bull Arena for a match against New York Red Bulls II (3-6-0) at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. The match will be televised on 22 The Point.

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC – Danny Vitiello; Ryan James, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Mark Lindstrom (Skylar Thomas 64′), Jordan Dover; Danny Griffin, Robbie Mertz (Dakota Barnathan 89′), Anthony Velarde (Steevan Dos Santos 64′), Lukas Fernandes (Patrick Bunk-Andersen 65′), Ropapa Mensah (Albert Dikwa 45′); Mark Forrest

Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Ray Lee

Loudoun United FC – Simon Lefebvre; Jacob Greene, Shane Wiedt (Nelson Martinez 64′), Timmy Mehl (Adam Lundegard 45′), Issa Mudashiru (Brandon Williamson 34′); Elvis Amoh (Christian Sorto 45′), Jeremy Garay, Michael Gamble, Theodore Ku-Dipietro, Tyler Gabarra; Josh Fawole (Alioune Ndour 45′)

Subs not used: Colin Miller, Erumuse Momoh

Scoring Summary:
PIT – Mark Forrest 5′ (penalty)
PIT – Anthony Velarde 8′ (penalty)
PIT – Albert Dikwa 88′

Misconduct Summary:
LDN – Elvis Amoh 38′ (caution)
LDN – Alioune Ndour 55′ (caution)
PIT – Albert Dikwa 66′ (caution)
LDN – Brandon Williamson 71′ (caution)

Head coach Bob Lilley

On what the Hounds can improve on…

“I think we defended reasonably well, but I think we could have done a better job defending higher up the pitch, taking the game to them. I think it’s a good result. It’s hard with changing lineups and short rest, but it didn’t feel like we had enough energy during the game.”

On key to beating New York on Saturday…

“I think we are going to need more energy to get three points on Saturday. I think this was a tough game because of rest, but it was important for us to come out on top. I think if we can find the legs to beat New York on Saturday, that is going to put us in a good position come playoff time.”

On Albert Dikwa…

“I knew I wanted to put him in for 45 minutes, to see if he could handle it. He got a goal, he had some other good chances, and I think he has an understanding of how to get behind the backline.”

Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello

On saving the penalty kick…

“I personally do a lot of research to see where guys usually go on penalty kicks. I hadn’t done much on Fawole, but I read it well and was able to make the save.”

On staying ready mentally…

“Sometimes you have to wait your turn, and when you get those opportunities, you have to be ready and focused. You always have to push yourself in training especially, because you never know when an opportunity will come.”

On the win…

“They are a good team, and they have some good guys. I think we were up for the challenge, and we’re good soccer players. We’re going to have to play them again, and we’ll have to be ready when we do.”

Defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele

On the team’s backline…

“I think we are organized and we talk a lot, and we’re only getting stronger and stronger. We only have six games left, so hopefully we finish out the season strong.”

On Albert Dikwa…

“We are happy that he is on the squad, and that he was able to score a goal in just 45 minutes of play. I’d never seen him play before, but I’m glad that he’s on our team now.”

On the team’s performance…

“I think Danny [Vitiello] made a great save to keep the shutout going, and I think Anthony [Velarde] and Mark [Forrest] did well to convert on the penalty kicks. After we saw the first few penalties, we wanted to play a little more conservative because we knew we could get called for a penalty if we weren’t careful.”

Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week

PITTSBURGH (September 1, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Ryan James has been named USL Championship Player of the Week after his two-goal performance in the club’s 3-0 victory against Hartford Athletic this past Friday at Dillon Stadium.

With help from James’ performance, the Hounds moved ahead of Hartford by three points in the Group F standings. Pittsburgh currently leads the group with 19 points.

James scored his first goal from the center of the penalty box in the 11th minute before following it up with a left-footed volley for his second tally in the 50th minute. The second of his goals was listed No. 10 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays. This marked the first multi-goal game of his career.

This season, the Mississauga, Ontario, Canada native has already amassed a career-high three goals. He has started nine of his 10 games played en route to 819 minutes, which is the fourth-highest minute total on the team.

In addition, defender Jordan Dover has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week bench after recording an assist in the aforementioned victory against Hartford. The Ajax, Ontario, Canada native assisted James on his second tally in the 50th minute.

Riverhounds SC is back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 1 against Loudoun United FC. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium and can be streamed live on ESPN+.

For more information on Team of the Week for Week 10, presented by Cleer Audio, visit uslchampionship.com.

HOUNDS NAMED TO TEAM OF THE WEEK:
Jordan Dover: Week 3 – July 14
Robbie Mertz: Week 3 – July 14
Kenardo Forbes: Week 4 – July 21
Danny Griffin: Week 4 – July 21
Kenardo Forbes: Week 6 – Aug. 4
Robbie Mertz: Week 7 – Aug. 11
Danny Vitiello: Week 9 – Aug. 25
*Ryan James: Week 10 – Sept. 1

*Player of the Week

Key contributors stepping up for Hounds

Ahead of this week’s matchups against Loudoun United FC and New York Red Bulls II, fans have seen some stellar performances by players on this year’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC team.

With strong goals, stealthy defending, graceful assists and teamwork, the team sits at the top of Group F with 19 points.

“We have a lot of players with good ability,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “We have two massive games coming up where we have to get the job done regardless of who’s on the field.”

While injuries and player rotation play a factor on any given match night, it is important to look at players who have shown their athletic prowess in recent games.

Here are players to look for when the Hounds kick off against Loudoun United FC at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Highmark Stadium.

Ryan James
The defender from Ontario, Canada has logged more than 800 minutes on the field this year and proves to be a strong wingback for the Hounds. Last time out, James racked up two goals against Hartford Athletic. His second tally became a SportsCenter Top 10 play and brought his season total to three goals.

Danny Griffin
Danny Griffin has been a valuable rookie asset to the Hounds in this shortened season, starting seven of the club’s 10 games thus far. The Providence College product has gathered two goals inside of the penalty box this season, as well as completed passes to teammates with an almost 80 percent pass rate. Griffin will be one to watch in the midfield in the Hounds’ remaining matchups.

Robbie Mertz
Another midfielder making strides this season is none other than the Pittsburgh native, Robbie Mertz. With four goals, the second highest among teammates, Mertz’s ability to force chances on the field is what makes his play a key factor for the team. The Upper St. Clair High School product was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for both Week 3 and Week 7.

Ropapa Mensah
The Ghana native leads the team with 16 shots this season, seven of which are shots on goal. With three goals and two assists, Ropapa Mensah is versatile in his game play, sharing the ball with midfielders and creating chances in the penalty box. Mensah’s goal from the top of the 18-yard box during the Aug. 8 matchup against New York garnered attention, as he was nominated to the USL Championship Team of the Week bench.

Wingbacks strong in Hounds' win against Hartford

In Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s 3-0 win against Hartford Athletic on Friday at Dillon Stadium, its wingbacks were disruptive in the attacking half. Not to mention combining for a top play on ESPN’s SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

Ryan James scored two goals on the night, notching his first career multi-goal game, while fellow outside back Jordan Dover posted an assist on teammate’s second tally.

James’ first goal came in the 11th minute, after the Hounds earned a free kick in the attacking half. Dover pushed the pace on the right wing, and dribbled toward the right side of the penalty area. He then sent a cross into the center of the penalty area to Anthony Velarde, who set up James in the left side of the 18-yard box. James blasted the ensuing one-timer past Hartford goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda to put the Hounds on the board.

His second goal came in the 50th minute, after a Ropapa Mensah shot was sent away by Mandanda. Dover regained possession on the right side of the penalty area and sent a cross to James to the back post. James then sent a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving the Hounds a 3-0 lead. This beautiful goal earned the No. 10 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

While James scored a couple goals, Dover was a key catalyst. He tallied two key passes and assisted on James’ second goal. His other key pass came just before the brace, when Dover hit Velarde outside the penalty area. Velarde’s long shot was blocked, but eventually led to Pittsburgh’s third goal of the night after the rebound.

“Today was a good team performance,” head coach Bob Lilley said after the game. “I think we had good possession at times, and we were able to create some good moments. We competed well and managed the game well.”

The Hounds will return to Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 1, for a match against Loudoun United FC. The match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

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