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)
