FINAL: Riverhounds SC 2, Nashville 2
The Hounds were facing a dire result, a potential 2-0 loss, before they scred twice late on to salvage a home point against Nashville.
The first half looked like it was bound to go goalless as both sides held the other at bay through the early stages, but the visitors broke the deadlock in the 41st minute as the Hounds failed to clear Michael Reed’s corner kick and defender Ken Tribbett rifled a right-footed volley past Pittsburgh goalkeeper Kyle Morton into the roof of the net.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 66th minute from another corner kick as Tribbett headed a Pittsburgh clearance back into a dangerous area and Bradley Bourgeois rose highest to head home past Morton.
The Hounds battled back in the late stages though, as forward Christian Volesky applied a superb diving header to Jordan Dover’s cross to beat NSC goalkeeper Connor Sparrow at his near post in the 88th minute. Then, Pittsburgh found its equalizer two minutes into stoppage time as Ryan James’ tight-angle shot struck Kosuke Kimura and went into the defender’s own net as the Eastern Conference powerhouses settled for a share of the spoils.
2nd half
GOAL – Here’s a look at the equalizing goal that was ruled an own goal in the 92nd minute — after a cross from Kevin Kerr to Ryan James on the back post.
THE EQUALIZER!#UNLEASH | #PITvNSH pic.twitter.com/jDnuxjIScw
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 28, 2019
GOAL – 87′ – Christian Volesky cuts the lead in half to give the Hounds life in the 87th minute.
TOO NICE, @CVolesky9! 👊#UNLEASH | #PITvNSH pic.twitter.com/guIlZRL4dE
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 28, 2019
key halftime stats
Shots – NSH 6-2 (2-0 on target)
Possession – PGH 53%-47%
1st half
GOAL – 38′ – Nashville strikes first, and it’s a good strike on the half volley by Ken Tribbett, as the Hounds were unable to get a corner kick cleared. The big center back was forward and had time to turn his hips through that one from 10 yds out.
Starting Line-ups:
Will be posted here at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Riverhounds SC
Kyle Morton (G)
D – Ryan James, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Jordan Dover
MF – Mo Dabo, Kevin Kerr, Kenardo Forbes, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Neco Brett
F – Steevan Dos Santo
Nashville SC
Here's our Starting XI for tonight's match against @RiverhoundsSC kicking off at 6 p.m. CT. #BandTogetherNSC #PGHvNSH
Lineup details: https://t.co/0wbA8eGB9H pic.twitter.com/YKgST6azJR
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) April 27, 2019
Pregame notes:
- Nashville holds the upper hand in the all-time series with a 1-0-1 overall record.
- In 2018, Nashville SC defeated the Hounds at Highmark Stadium. This put an end to the team’s 10-game unbeaten streak to start the season. This match also marks one of two regular season losses the Hounds have at their home venue since the start of the 2018 campaign.
- Pittsburgh currently holds a five-game unbeaten streak and is unbeaten in its last 10 regular season matches at Highmark Stadium.
- The Hounds are one of two teams in the Eastern Conference to hold at least a five-game unbeaten streak (Tampa Bay Rowdies).
- The last time the Black and Gold lost in the month of April occurred on April 22, 2017 (2-1 defeat to the Richmond Kickers). Since this date, the Hounds have racked up a 6-0-2 record in April.
- Ryan James will battle his old club this weekend. The defender started 11 of his 16 games played for Nashville in 2018, and currently is tied for the Hounds lead with two assists this campaign.
- Two former Hounds return to Highmark, Lebo Moloto and Taylor Washington. Moloto had a very strong first campaign in Nashville in 2018, scoring seven goals andearning second-team All-League status, even as he missed the final six games due to an injury. Thus far this season, Moloto has started every game, dishing out a pair of assists, but he’s still searching for his first goal.
- James is one of five Hounds to play every minute of the 2019 season thus far. The others are defender Tobi Adewole, forward Steevan Dos Santos, defender Joe Greenspan and midfielder Thomas Vancaeyezeele. The former first-round SuperDraft selection of Bethlehem Steel FC started 27 games a year ago, with 33 total appearances, one goal, and like when he was in Pittsburgh, was among team leaders in minutes played (2,382).
- Three of Pittsburgh’s eight goals this season have come from the penalty spot (four total penalty kick opportunities).
- On the club’s all-time home-goal leaderboard, Kevin Kerr ranks second with 22 tallies and Neco Brett places tied for ninth (Gary DePalma) with 12 tallies at friendly confines.
- Ben Lundgaard has received the nod for the past three games. In two of his four starts, the goalkeeper has posted a clean sheet, including last time out against Saint Louis FC.
- In hand with Lundgaard’s success, the Hounds have exceled in shot prevention. Showcasing this strength, Lundgaard ranks tied for third in the Eastern Conference in clean sheets (two) but outside the top 20 in saves (six).
PSN & OTHER PREGAME COVERAGE
Here’s Mark Goodman‘s Scouting Report & Game Preview…
Preview and Scouting Report: Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs Nashville SC
Matt Gajtka‘s ‘View from the Booth’ features Jordan Dover.
Rachael McKriger shared a short feature on the Riverhounds’ first year pros. Look for that to drop sometime Friday.
Riverhounds SC rookies enjoying fans, being professionals and Pittsburgh
I had an opportunity to provide my thoughts on the Hounds for Nashville-based ForClubandCounty.com.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds preview: Q&A with John Krysinsky