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Hounds dominate Detroit, 2-0, in front of record-setting crowd

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

FINAL: Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-0 Detroit City FC

USL Championship Match Center – Box Score 

Record regular season crowd sees best performance of year to date in shutout win over previously perfect Detroit

A  regular-season record crowd of 6,099 was on hand at Highmark Stadium to see the Hounds win their second consecutive match and second of 2024, ending Detroit’s unblemished start to the year with a 2-0 shutout win at home.

The first half opened with fairly balanced play, each side generating shots in the first 10 minutes off effective pressing and forced turnovers, but neither massively threatening to either goalkeeper.

That changed in the 20th minute. After several minutes of sustained Hounds pressure and several corners, a chance finally fell the Hounds way. After a Kenny Forbes corner, a tertiary ball fell to Robbie Mertz on the right wing. His lob back across goal found Pat Hogan, who fired home a powerful header to the left side goal beyond Steinwascher to open the scoring for the Hounds on the night.

That wouldn’t be the only chance the Hounds generated. The pressure continued to mount, forcing turnover after turnover and keeping the ball in Detroit’s half until finally Junior Etou delivered a stellar run from near the center line – darting through Detroit defenders before finally being brought down in the box, drawing a rapid penalty call from the ref. Danny Griffin stepped up to take the ensuing spot kick and blasted an effort that Steinwascher got a hand to but couldn’t keep out to give the Hounds a two goal lead.

After some further contentious play as Detroit attempted to answer back, two Hounds picked up yellow cards – Griffin and Langston Blackstock each stopping counters with tactical fouls. Ultimately, neither team would add to the scoresheet for the remainder of the half, and the Hounds entered the break with a 2-0 lead and a promising level of play.

While the second half didn’t see any additional scoring, it did see some contentious play. A handful of yellows were issued to both sides as the match progressed, capped off by Detroit’s captain Stephen Carroll being sent of with a straight red in the latter moments of the match.

The highest points of the second half were a pair of record-setting moments. First, an announced crowd of 6,099 set a regular-season Hounds record for most attended game, and the fans were treated to a good one. Secondly, Kenardo Forbes – just a few games after setting the Hounds appearance record – set the USL league-wide all-time minutes record and was properly celebrated by the home faithful.

Ultimately, it was a dominant Hounds performance from start to finish, certainly the best of the year to date on both ends of the field. They earn their second win of the year and second straight, with another home game coming up next week against Miami FC.

Match Events

Pittsburgh Riverhounds starters: Eric Dick (GK), Danny Griffin (c), Pat Hogan, Langston Blackstock, Junior Etou, Kenardo Forbes, Luke Biasi, Robbie Mertz, Bradley Sample, Illal Osumanu, Kazaiah Sterling

Subs: Dani Rovira, Sean Suber, EJ Johnson, Nate Dragisich, Gabriel Perrotta, Bradley Sample, Babacar Diene

Tampa Bay Rowdies starters: Nate Steinwascher, Alex Villanueva, Stephen Carroll (c), James Murphy, Victor Bezerra, Abdoulaye Diop, Ben Morris, Ali Coote, Michael Bryant, Maxi Rodriguez, Devon Amoo-Mensah

Subs: Ryan Williams, Dominic Gasso, Connor Rutz, Yazeed Matthews, Matt Sheldon, Carlos Saldana, Danmiel Espeleta

Key moments: 

0′ – The players take to the field. Hounds in their home blacks, Detroit in their road gold and white. The Hounds announce the launch of a USL W League team in 2025 ahead of kickoff!

8′ – A dangerous defensive turnover for the Hounds hands Diop the ball in a ton of space for Detroit. He uncorks an effort on goal, but its high and wide.

13′ – First shot of the night for the Hounds after a turnover quickly gets to Sterling. He rips a powerful shot from the top of the box, blocked and deflected by two Detroit defenders – with a cry for handball during – and Kenny Forbes is offsides on the follow-up.

21′ – GOAL HOUNDS! An early 1-0 lead for the hosts! After yet another corner in a brilliant start, Robbie Mertz lobs a secondary ball back across goal and it’s headed home by Pat Hogan!

33′ – PENALTY HOUNDS! A tremendous run from Junior Etou into the box from midfield and he’s hacked down by the last possible defender. Ref wastes no time pointing to the spot. A yellow to Detroit City’s Amoo-Mensah, and Etou remains down.

35′ – GOAL HOUNDS! 2-0! Danny Griffin converts the penalty earned by Etou. The Hounds secure a two-goal advantage in the first half.

40′ – Yellow card issued to the recent goalscorer Danny Griffin after a reckless challenge in midfield.

45+1′ – Yellow card issued to Langston Blackstock for stopping a Detroit counter after losing possession on the wing

Halftime: Riverhounds 2-0 Detroit City

Thoughts: A much better showing from the Hounds this home match, arguably their best half of the year. Played nearly entirely in Detroit’s half, lots of wins on secondary balls, lots of hustle pushing the ball forward, and dividends to show for it.

50′ – A yellow card issued to Junior Etou after a challenge in the box is deemed simulation.

51′ – An advantageous Hounds counter has numbers, leading to a cross from the wing. It misses everyone in the box before falling to Blackstock at the top of the 18, who fires it just high of the Detroit goal.

55′ – A nice note on the scoreboard honoring Kenardo Forbes for becoming the all-time USL minutes leader!

61′ – Two subs for Detroit City – Matthews and Sheldon on, Bezerra and Bryant off

65′ – Two subs for the Hounds – Rovira and Suber on, Blackstock and Etou off

69′ – Two subs for Detroit – Rutz and Espeleta on, Morris and Coote off

75′ – A yellow card issued to Detroit’s Diop

80′ – Detroit’s final sub of the night: Diop off, Williams on

82′ – Two additional subs for the Hounds: DeShields and Diene on, Forbes and Sterling off

90′ – Yellow card issued to Babacar Diene for a late challenge.

90′ – Final sub for the Hounds as Nate Dragisich subs on for his second appearance, replacing Robbie Mertz

90′ – Red Card! Detroit City’s Carroll is sent off for a bad challenge.

Final: Riverhounds 2-0 Detroit City

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