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FINAL: Riverhounds SC 3, Louisville City FC 1

FINAL Riverhounds SC 3, Louisville City FC 1

BOX SCORE 

Post-game coverage: Matt Gajtka & John Krysinsky on Pittsburgh Sports Live 

Game Summary

They might have waited until the end of the first half, but the Riverhounds SC crashed Louisville City FC’s stadium opening party with a three-goal outburst in a short span between the end of the first half and the beginning of the second to hand the hosts a 3-1 defeat.

Jordan Dover, Robbie Mertz and Anthony Velarde each scored as Pittsburgh overcame an early deficit when former Robert Morris University standout Devon “Speedy” Williams scored the first-ever goal in Lynn Family Stadium history.  Starting forward Ropapa Mensah contributed two assists and Hounds captain Kenardo Forbes added his first assist of the season.

Louisville held the possession edge throughout the match, but it was the Riverhounds who made an impressive string of passes to create the first goal when Kenardo Forbes initiated the attack, then received the ball back. Forbes then laid forward a perfectly placed ball to Jordan Dover, who made a perfectly timed move on the ball into the box.

Dover took a touch, and delivered a perfect strike for the equalizer.

At the start of the second half, Pittsburgh came out of the gates strong, capitalizing on Louisville’s mistakes in playing it out of the back.

Robbie Mertz scored just seconds into the half, when Ropapa Mensah won the ball when pressing high into the box and found the Upper St. Clair native making a run forward.

Just five minutes later, Anthony Velarde was the recipient of another Mensah takeaway in the 50th minute.

Mensah won the ball on the left side, and instead of rushing through and taking a shot, he waited a few seconds and found Velarde on the back post for the easy one-time volley finish.

Once they build the two-goal lead, and seemingly taking the air out of the new stadium, Pittsburgh locked down Louisville’s attack with a clinic on defending with the lead.

Up next, the Hounds (1-0, 3 points) will take on Philadephia Union II, on Saturday at 7 p.m.

 

Gameday Updates

90′ – 10 minutes. That’s right — 10 minutes of stoppage time has been added!

If you’re trying to keep track of subs, the Hounds have two more subs that they could use, but only one more time that they can use them.

66′ – Danny Griffin and Mark Forrest also coming on. Hunter Ashworth — who hobbles off the field and Ropapa Mensah are coming off.

64′ – Hounds first sub is Dakota Barnathan — who comes in for Dani Rovira. 64′

62′ – Cam Lancaster gets some room to shoot just inside the 18, and it’s an easy one for Gomez to collect.

50′ – GOAL – Anthony Velarde!

Another goal set up by high press!  What composure by Ropapa Mensah — gets the takeaway then delivers perfect pass to far post side to Velarde!

46′ – GOAL – Robbie Mertz

High press out of the gate pays off. Left footed blast after Mensah wins ball! Hounds take 2-1 lead in the very opening minutes of the 2nd half! 46′

Here’s a look at the equalizer.

Hackworth not happy with his club’s effort in the last part of the half.  The Hounds awoke a bit and it started when they started to take aim at getting the ball forward to Mensah. Once they finally strung together some passes in the attacking third, they scored!

HALF

45′ – GOAL! – RIVERHOUNDS – Jordan Dover  1-1

Perfectly timed run and played ball.

Great spell of possession by the Hounds for about a minute before that sets it up. Quality stuff. 45′ 

42′ –  Mensah suddenly with two decent chances late in 1st half. That second one — if he slides it over to the right side — it’s probably a goal.

All three shot attempts for Pittsburgh have come from Ropapa.

36′ – Mensah’s done a nice job in drawing some fouls and holding up the ball. Does it again to set up first free kick chance for Hounds in 36th minute.

27′ – YELLOW CARD — Hunter Ashworth might have legit complaint there with that but he draws the match’s first yellow card on that tackle attempt.

 

18′ – GOAL – LOUISVILLE CITY FC (1-0)

SPEEDY WILLIAMS with a turf burning shot off the bounce. The former Robert Morris University standout scores the first ever goal in Lynn Family Stadium history.

Here’s a look at Mensah’s effort…

5′ – Mensah with decent shot attempt from just outside the box. Hounds with most of the possession so far in first five minutes.

 

Ryan James always said he prefers to play in the middle. By the looks of this line-up — he’ll get his chance today.

Bob Lilley going with all three second-year guys (Mertz, Rovira & Velarde), two new center backs (Ashworth & Thomas) and veterans.

Mensah gets nod at the top!

Game Notes & Preview

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (0-0-0, 0 points) vs Louisville City FC (1-0-0, 3 points)

Sunday, July 12 * 5 p.m.
Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky
Television: ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: SiriusXM FC 157
Live Statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live Updates: Twitter @pghsoccernow, @RiverhoundsSC and #LOUvPIT

 

This will mark the first-ever match at Lynn Family Stadium and the first-ever Riverhounds SC match on a national television network (ESPN 2).

The Riverhounds’ last match against Louisville came during the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals, where the Hounds fell short in extra time, losing 2-1. The Hounds started this game on top in the 11th minute, when Thomas Vancaeyezeele headed in a corner kick from teammate Kenardo Forbes. They then continued to hold the lead until the second half of the game when Louisville scored its first goal. Louisville scored again in the 118th minute (extra time) to defeat the Hounds.

Despite dropping their last meeting, the Hounds hold an all-time record of 3-1-1 in road games against Louisville. This away record includes a two-game winning streak.

As Pittsburgh has yet to play this season, Louisville got in one match before the season had been suspended in March. They defeated North Carolina FC, 1-0, on the road.

PSN Match Previews & Coverage 

Preview: LouCity Opener. Finally.

Riverhounds SC 2020 positional outlook

Hounds Opener a Doozy, in more ways than one

Lilley focused on getting Hounds to grow rapidly in shorter season

 

 

Related Topics

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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