LEESBURG, Va. (August 19, 2020) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (5-3-0) defeated Loudoun United FC (1-4-1), 2-0, tonight at Segra Field.
Steevan Dos Santos got the scoring started in the 7th minute, giving him his fifth goal against Group F opponents. Lukas Fernandes added another goal in the 11th minute to give the Hounds a two-goal lead. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello recorded his first professional clean sheet, saving three shots on the night.
With the win, the Hounds reclaim their spot atop Group F.
“I think Loudoun showed they have the ability to be a dangerous team,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “We did better as the game went on. We got two pretty good goals early and that certainly helped. It wasn’t an artistic game, but we were able to rest some guys and rotate the squad. It’s a good road win. I think we did a good job of coming into a difficult game and coming out with our three points.
“The short turnaround into the Saint Louis game this Saturday will be a challenge. Saint Louis doesn’t play tonight. They have a whole week to prepare for our game and we’re going to have short rest. It’s another important game. There’s no question the Saint Louis game on Saturday will be a difficult game for us.”
First Half
The Hounds led the Eastern Conference in goals scored entering Wednesday’s match. Early on, they would add to their total.
In the 7th minute, Dani Rovira sent a long pass to Dos Santos in the center of the 18-yard box. Dos Santos then sent a powerful shot through the legs of Loudoun goalkeeper Colin Miller to put the Hounds ahead, 1-0.
Another chance came in the 11th minute, when Mark Lindstrom delivered a long ball to Robbie Mertz in the right side of the penalty area. Mertz then sent a quick cross to Fernandes, who put a shot into the bottom-left corner to give the Hounds a two-goal lead.
The Hounds were also able to halt several Loudoun chances. In the 21st minute, Loudoun forward Alioune Ndour had some space in the center of the 18-yard box. He sent a shot into the top-left corner, but missed high. Ndour would get another opportunity in the 28th minute, trying a shot from outside the penalty area, but Vitiello collected the shot in the center of the net.
In stoppage time, Loudoun defender Nelson Martinez was sent off with a red card after being shown his second yellow card of the half. The Hounds would take their two-goal lead and man advantage into the half.
Second Half
The start of the second half featured just as many quality chances for the Hounds. In the 50th minute, Jordan Dover directed a pass to the right side of the penalty area to Kenardo Forbes. Forbes’ ensuing shot missed narrowly to the left of the net.
Forbes would get another chance in the 59th minute. He sent a shot from outside the penalty area to the bottom-left corner of the net, which was saved by Miller.
The Hounds played even tighter defense in the second half. They allowed zero shots on goal in the second half and didn’t allow any quality chances in their defensive half.
Hound of the Match, Presented by EPIC
Danny Vitiello recorded his first career clean sheet, saving three shots on the night.
Beyond the Box Score, presented by Beyond Self Storage
The Hounds are undefeated (13-0-0) all-time in games that Steevan Dos Santos scores a goal.
What’s Next
Riverhounds SC will return to Highmark Stadium for a match against Saint Louis FC (4-3-1) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. The match will be televised on 22 The Point.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC – Danny Vitiello; Ryan James, Dakota Barnathan (Danny Griffin 65′), Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Mark Lindstrom (Skylar Thomas 66′), Dani Rovira (Jordan Dover 44′); Kenardo Forbes, Robbie Mertz, Anthony Velarde (Ropapa Mensah 86′); Steevan Dos Santos, Lukas Fernandes (Mark Forrest 86′)
Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Hunter Ashworth
Loudoun United FC – Colin Miller; Jacob Greene, Shane Wiedt, Timmy Mehl (Jeremy Garay 33′), Allexon Saravia; Elvis Amoh (Brandon Williamson 64′), Nelson Martinez, Peabo Doue (Josh Fawole 45′), Theodore Ku-Dipietro (Michael Gamble 63′), Kairou Amoustapha (Erumuse Momoh 64′); Alioune Ndour
Subs not used: Lorenzo Gordon, Adam Lundegard
Scoring Summary:
PIT – Steevan Dos Santos 7′ (Dani Rovira)
PIT – Lukas Fernandes 11′ (Robbie Mertz)
Misconduct Summary:
LDN – Nelson Martinez 17′ (caution)
LDN – Nelson Martinez 45’+1 (caution, ejection)
PIT – Dakota Barnathan 50′ (caution)
LDN – Shane Wiedt 58′ (caution)
LDN – Allexon Saravia 59′ (caution)
PIT – Thomas Vancaeyezeele 85′ (caution)
