The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will continue play in the Prinx Tires USL Cup tournament with a match against the Charolotte Independence at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, in Charlotte, N.C.
The Hounds are 1-0 in the USL Cup Group Stage, as are the Independence, who defeated the Richmond Kickers in their first match. Charlotte is 3-2-2 for the regular season in USL League One (third tier of U.S. soccer) and in fifth place. The leading goal scorer for the Independence is Luis Alvarez, who has three goals. The Riverhounds, 4-4-1, are in a five-way tie for third place in USL Championship with 13 points.
Pittsburgh played its best match of the season thus far in a 2-0 win over Louisville City FC on Saturday in Kentucky. An all-around great defensive effort, combined with opportunistic goals and great goaltending, resulted in a victory over second-place Louisville.
In the first half, the Hounds struck quickly at the nine-minute mark when Robbie Mertz’s free kick from the right side of the Louisville net was headed by Pittsburgh’s Lasse Kelp toward the middle of the box. The Riverhounds’ Trevor Amann moved quickly down the center between defenders and placed a header past goalkeeper Danny Faundez for a 1-0 Hounds lead.
Amann came close to scoring his second goal when a blistering Sam Bassett shot hit the crossbar and fell at Amann’s feet in front of the net. Amann was unable to tee up what appeared to be an easy shot and Louisville escaped being down by two goals. The Riverhounds goalkeeper, Nico Campuzano, made three key saves to maintain the 1-0 lead at the half.
In the second half, the defensive effort by the Hounds continued to thwart Louisville as did Campuzano, who continued to make one big save after another. Louisville took 24 shots for the match, seven of which were saved by Campuzano, who earned Player of the Week in the USL Championship for his efforts.
The Riverhounds opened a two-goal lead when Charles Ahl hit Bassett with a centering pass just outside the Louisville box at the 52-minute mark. Bassett found space and unleashed another hard shot from 25 yards out that found the upper right corner of the net and gave the Hounds a 2-0 lead. Pittsburgh’s defense and goalkeeping continued with a stellar effort, and game ended with a Hounds victory.
Louisville controlled possession 64% to 36% and outshot the Hounds 24-12. Louisville is now 5-3-1 in USL Championship action. Campuzano turned in the first clean sheet for Pittsburgh this season.
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