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Mertz, Dover and Mensah earn USL Team of the Week recognition

Riverhounds SC defender Jordan Dover (File Photo from Ed Thompson)

Riverhounds SC defender Jordan Dover and midfielder Robbie Mertz have each been named to USL Championship Team of the Week following the club’s 3-1 road victory in its season opener against Louisville City FC on Sunday.

Takeaways/Player Grades: High-pressing Hounds crash Louisville’s new stadium party

Dover scored the Hounds’ first goal of the season in the 45th minute before the halftime whistle. Making a perfectly timed run inside of the 18-yard box, the Ajax, Ontario, Canada native received a ball played in by Kenardo Forbes before placing it into the net.

As Dover scored just before the halftime whistle, Mertz scored right after it. In the 46th minute, the Pittsburgh native buried a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal.

In addition, Ropapa Mensah has been named to the Team of the Week bench after assisting two of the club’s three goals from this past Sunday. The forward assisted Mertz in the 46th minute and Anthony Velarde in the 51st minute.

Phoenix Rising FC forward Solomon Asante was voted the Championship’s Player of the Week for Week 3 of the 2020 season.

The reigning Championship Most Valuable Player picked up where he left off from his Week 1 performance, notching two goals and one assist to lead Rising FC to a 4-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday night at Casino Arizona Field. Asante now has three goals and three assists in Phoenix’s opening two games of the season.

Two former Riverhounds SC players also received recognition. Tyler Pasher was also named to the Team of the Week as the Canadian scored in his fourth consecutive game dating back to 2019 and recorded nine shots and three key passes overall in Indy Eleven’s 2-0 victory against Saint Louis FC on Saturday.

Kyle Morton was named to the Team of the Week bench for Saint Louis. Morton has started in both matches Saint Louis has played thus far this season, recording nine saves, including seven on Saturday when Indy Eleven put seven shots on frame.

Pittsburgh returns to the pitch for a match against Philadelphia Union II at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Subaru Park.

This road match will be televised on 22 The Point.

 

USL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP F STANDINGS

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC        1-0-0          3 points
Loudoun United FC                    0-0-1          1 point
Philadelphia Union II                  0-0-1          1 point
Hartford Athletic                        0-0-0          0 points
New York Red Bulls II                 0-1-0          0 points

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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