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Dos Santos’ late header keeps Hounds in first place

From Riverhounds SC report

Riverhounds SC found a way to get it done on the road, as a Steevan Dos Santos’ header in the 88th minute was the difference in a 1-0 win at Saint Louis FC on Saturday night at West Community Stadium.

BOX SCORE

With the win, Pittsburgh still holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference, they remain unbeaten in its last 10 matches, and will control its own destiny with one game remaining on its regular season schedule.

Oh, and they also clinched a home playoff game to start the postseason.

“I think it was a really professional and solid performance for any game, especially a road game that meant a lot,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “The guys played great. They had to battle on the road and had to be persistent. They did a good job with a difficult opponent.

“I think the first 10-15 minutes it was hard to string passes together. We worked our way into the first half and got better as the half went on. I thought we were very good in the second half. We tried to play in their half and get on the ball. Eventually, we broke them.”

First Half

Neither team recorded a shot on target during the first half.

For Saint Louis, its best opportunity in the half came off the foot of Kadeem Dacres in the 14th minute, when he had a right-footed shot from outside of the penalty area go wide right of the net.

As for the Hounds, their best chance stemmed from a corner kick in the 24th minute. Kenardo Forbes sent the ball into Joe Greenspan, who freed up space for a header that ultimately hit the left post.

Pittsburgh held 56 percent possession during the first half.

Second Half

The Hounds pushed numerous times for the go-ahead goal in the second half.

With the score still knotted at 0-0 in the 88th minute, Dos Santos ultimately put the Hounds on top.

Stemming from a corner kick, the striker stood adjacent to the goalmouth and headed home a loose, bouncing rebound. The tally marked his 10th of the season.

Riverhounds SC held Saint Louis FC without a shot on goal for the entire match and outshot the opposition 15-to-5. Goalkeeper Kyle Morton posted the clean sheet, his 12th of the season.

For Pittsburgh, the win set a club record with their 18th single-season victory.

 

What’s Next

Riverhounds SC will travel to battle Birmingham Legion FC in its regular season finale at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 at BBVA Field.

 

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC – Kyle Morton; Ryan James, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Todd Pratzner (Dani Rovira 74′), Jordan Dover (Noah Franke 84′); Kenardo Forbes, Robbie Mertz; Kevin Kerr (Mark Forrest 88′), Steevan Dos Santos, Neco Brett

Subs not used: Austin Pack, Mouhamed Dabo, Uchenna Uzo, Anthony Velarde 

Saint Louis FC – Jake Fenlason; Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Sean Reynolds, Phanuel Kavita, Paris Gee; Russell Cicerone, Guy Abend (Sam Fink 90′), Kadeem Dacres, Lewis Hilton; Tyler Blackwood, Caleb Calvert [Kyle Greig 65′ (Oscar Umar 75′)]

Subs not used: Tomás Gómez, Matt Bahner, Collin Fernandez, Mastanabal Kacher

Scoring Summary:

PIT – Steevan Dos Santos 88′

Misconduct Summary:

STL – Guy Abend 44′ (caution)

STL – Phanuel Kavita 51′ (caution)

STL – Bradley Kamdem Fewo 59′ (caution)

PIT – Steevan Dos Santos 90’+6 (caution)

 

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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