PITTSBURGH (June 3, 2023) — Center back Arturo Ordóñez scored his third goal in as many league matches, and that provided the difference as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won their sixth straight match by defeating Phoenix Rising FC, 1-0, tonight at Highmark Stadium.
Ordóñez’s headed goal of a Kenardo Forbes free kick in the 22nd minute kept the Hounds (6-2-5) undefeated at home and was their fourth straight USL Championship win. Jahmali Waite made three saves for his third straight clean sheet and fourth in league play this season.
It was the Hounds’ first-ever win over Phoenix (4-4-4), who they had not faced since the 2014 season.
First half
The match began as a midfield battle, with each team recording only one shot — neither one on goal — in the first 20 minutes.
That changed when Langston Blackstock won a free kick near the left corner, allowing Forbes to organize the set piece. The Hounds’ captain spun a ball into the Phoenix goal box, and Ordóñez leaped above the crowd of defenders to head the ball into the net.
Waite wasn’t put under much pressure in the first half, but he did make his first save of the match late, showing good hands to corral a deflected shot by Manuel Arteaga that spun high into the air toward the goal line.
Second half
Phoenix, already a possession-fixated side, got on the ball even more in the second half with 67 percent of possession after the break (64 percent for the match).
The Hounds did well to defend in the box, turning away five corners and a number of set pieces. Waite also came up with a pair of big saves to deny Phoenix’s Eddie Munjoma, reflexively reaching high on the first and diving to his left to palm away a shot in the 70th minute bound for the top corner.
Ordóñez also made a late contribution with a header off the goal line after a contested punch attempt by Waite popped straight up near the front of goal.
Despite the continued Phoenix pressure, the Hounds were able to hold off the visitors and run their current streak to 274 minutes without allowing a goal.
Heineken Man of the Match
Arturo Ordóñez, fresh off making this week’s USL Team of the Week, made his case for a repeat spot on the best 11 with another game-winning goal and stellar defensive performance. The Spanish defender had five clearances, won possession six times and won all three of his aerial duels in the match.
What’s next?
The Hounds shift gears back to tournament mode, as they prepare for their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against FC Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The Hounds are already the first lower-division team to shut out consecutive MLS teams, and they will be playing for a first-ever appearance in the Open Cup semifinals.
Riverhounds SC lineup (5-4-1) — Jahmali Waite; Langston Blackstock (Junior Etou 76’), Mike DeShields, Arturo Ordóñez, Pat Hogan, Burke Fahling (Trevor Zwetsloot 46’); Danny Griffin (Luke Biasi 76’), Marc Ybarra, Edward Kizza (Robbie Mertz 86’), Kenardo Forbes; Tola Showunmi (Nate Dossantos 46’)
Phoenix Rising FC lineup (3-5-2) — Rocco Rios Novo; Daniël Krutzen, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Kevon Lambert; Eddie Munjoma (Baboucarr Njie 71’), Renzo Zambrano, José Hernández (Federico Varela 66’), Carlos Harvey, Darnell King (Erickson Gallardo 66’); Danny Trejo, Manuel Arteaga (Panos Armenakas 80’)
Scoring summary
PIT — Arturo Ordóñez 22’ (Kenardo Forbes)
Discipline summary
PIT — Mike DeShields 43’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Arturo Ordóñez 62’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Danny Griffin 73’ (caution – reckless foul)
