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Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Hounds Win Third Straight, Shutting out Miami

May 4, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


PITTSBURGH - Kazaiah Sterling's early goal was the difference in the match, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won their third straight game by taking down Miami FC, 1-0, tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Sterling's goal was his second of the season for the Hounds (3-3-2), who blanked Miami (2-6-1) for the team's fourth shutout in the past five matches. Eric Dick made two saves to record his fourth shutout of the year in the Hounds net.

Kenardo Forbes made his 200th appearance for the Hounds in the match, playing 88 minutes as he became the first to hit that milestone in club history.

First half

The match opened with the Hounds looking most dangerous working down the left side, and it was down that flank that the opening goal was created in the 16th minute.

Junior Etou received a pass from Luke Biasi and took the first touch to accelerate past his defender. Getting toward the goal line, he fired a low pass across the face of goal, and Sterling made the central run to apply the finishing touch.

The Hounds nearly added to the lead in a late first-half sequence that started when a cross made its way out to Dani Rovira, who forced one of four saves by Miami goalie Daniel Gagliardi. The rebound fell to Robbie Mertz in a wide position, and he put the ball back across goal, where Sterling and Etou both had chances that were blocked by scrambling Miami defenders.

Second half

A miscommunication at the back nearly spelled trouble for the Hounds seven minutes after halftime, as Miami's Jordan Ayimbila won the ball after both Dick and the Hounds defense hesitated. Fortunately for the Hounds, the Miami player's shot from 18 yards drifted wide of the goal.

The Hounds also had chances in a wide-open second half. Danny Griffin was denied a goal into an open net by a last-ditch sliding block from Daltyn Knutson in the 60th minute, and from the ensuing corner, Pat Hogan's header was saved by Gagliardi.

Dick made his biggest save of the game in the 65th minute. Nicolas Cardona got a head to a long free kick into the box, but the Hounds' goalkeeper bested the Miami captain by tipping the ball over the bar.

Miami finished with 53 percent of possession, but the Hounds ended with a 7-2 edge in shots on goal and were able to hold on for the shutout.

Modelo Man of the Match

Illal Osumanu helped anchor the Hounds to the clean sheet. The center back won all three tackles he contested, shared the team high with three clearances and distributed the ball well, connecting on 83 percent of his passes (39 of 47), most among Hounds with at least 10 passes in the match.

What's next?

The Hounds - U.S. Open Cup quarterfinalists a season ago - make their first foray into the 2024 Open Cup when they host FC Tulsa in a Round of 32 match at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Highmark Stadium.

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-4-2) - Eric Dick; Luke Biasi, Pat Hogan, Illal Osumanu, Dani Rovira (Langston Blackstock 74'); Junior Etou, Danny Griffin, Robbie Mertz (Aidan O'Toole 88'), Kenardo Forbes (Jackson Walti 88'); Edward Kizza (Babacar Diene 74'), Kazaiah Sterling (Bradley Sample 46')

Miami FC lineup (3-4-3) - Daniel Gagliardi; Daniel Barbir, Daltyn Knutson, Nicolas Cardona; Jordan Ayimbila, Andrew Booth, Gabriel Cabral, Rocco Genzano (Alejandro Mitrano 75'); Mattia Gagliardi (Roberto Molina 57'), Frank Lopez, Allen Gavilanes (Manuel Botta 85')

Scoring summary

PIT - Kazaiah Sterling 16' (Junior Etou)

Discipline summary

MIA - Nicolas Cardona 32' (caution - reckless foul)

MIA - Rocco Genzano 40' (caution - reckless foul)

Check out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Statistics

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