USL Championship Atlantic Division
FINAL: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1, Hartford Athletic 1
Match Summary
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC settled for a 1-1 draw against Atlantic Division foes Hartford Athletic after playing the final 10 minutes and stoppage time down a man at Dillon Stadium in Hartford, Conn.
“I was happy with the first half, and I think we were pretty good, ” Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley said after the match. “I don’t think we can blame it on refs, because in the second half, we didn’t play well enough. We didn’t put in the energy and let them play a lot in our end.”
How it Happened
Hounds forward Russell Cicerrone’s goal in the 42nd minute broke the scoreless affair in a fairly even match. Cicerone broke forward into the box to deliver a well-placed strike into the right corner after Tommy Williamson headed the ball to space beyond the Hartford defense. It was the first Hounds goal for 2021 signing Cicerone and the first professional assist for Williamson in his second pro match.
First goal of the season energy. First replay thanks to @R_Cicerone7!
1-0 #UNLEASH | #HFDvPIT pic.twitter.com/5bpufVxbdh
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) May 15, 2021
The Athletic fought back in the late moments of the match after Hounds captain and USL Championship’s all-time assist leader Kenardo Forbes was sent off in the 79th minute with a red card.
Hartford leveled the match in stoppage time against the 10-man Hounds side, on a free kick from Danny Berarra which was redirected by a header from Luka Prpa.
Perfect delivery on the most important play of the night. Congratulations to @Dannyfb90 on winning Man of the Match! pic.twitter.com/eGxb82ODHr
— Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) May 16, 2021
It was the first time the Hounds (0-1-1) failed to win in three matches at Dillon Stadium, though the draw put the first blemish on the record of Hartford (2-0-1) this season.
Forbes will now miss the Hounds home opener next week, as they return to action still seeking their first win of the season against Charlotte Independence on Saturday, May 22 at Highmark Stadium.
Riverhounds SC lineup (4-3-1-2) — Danny Vitiello; Preston Kilwien, Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams (Jelani Peters 76’), Jordan Dover; Todd Wharton (Louis Perez 90+3’), Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin; Russell Cicerone (Josh Gatt 76’); Alex Dixon (Dani Rovira 64’), Tommy Williamson (Albert Dikwa 64’)
Hartford Athletic lineup (4-3-3) — Jeff Caldwell; Gabriel Torres (Richie Schlentz 84’), Thomas Janjigian, Tulu, Alejandro Lara (Younes Boudadi 61’); Arthur Rogers (Luka Pipa 45’), Conor McGlynn, Danny Barrera; Bradford Jamieson IV, Juan Carlos Obregón Jr (Sebastian Elney 61’), Preston Tabort Etaka (Walmer Martinez 74’)
Scoring summary
PIT — Russell Cicerone 42’ (Tommy Williamson)
HFD — Luka Prpa 90+1’ (Danny Barrera)
Discipline summary
HFD — Alejandro Lara 18’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
HFD — Arthur Rogers 26’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT — Danny Vitiello 53’ (caution – delaying restart)
PIT — Kenardo Forbes 78’ (sent off – violent conduct)
HFD — Connor McGlynn 90+3’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
Gameday Updates
Match ends, Hartford Athletic 1, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1.
90+6‘Second Half ends, Hartford Athletic 1, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1.
90+6‘Foul by Richie Schlentz (Hartford Athletic).
90+6‘Louis Pérez (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+4‘Foul by Danny Barrera (Hartford Athletic).
90+4‘Albert Dikwa (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+3‘Richie Schlentz (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+3‘Foul by Albert Dikwa (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
90+3‘Substitution, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Louis Pérez replaces Todd Wharton.
90+2‘Conor McGlynn (Hartford Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90+2‘Foul by Conor McGlynn (Hartford Athletic).
90+2‘Joshua Gatt (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+1‘Goal! Hartford Athletic 1, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1. Luka Prpa (Hartford Athletic) header from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Danny Barrera with a cross following a set piece situation.
90‘Walmer Martinez (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90‘Foul by Joshua Gatt (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
86‘Foul by Luka Prpa (Hartford Athletic).
86‘Albert Dikwa (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
84‘Foul by Richie Schlentz (Hartford Athletic).
84‘Todd Wharton (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84‘Substitution, Hartford Athletic. Richie Schlentz replaces Gabriel Torres.
83‘Walmer Martinez (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
83‘Foul by Daniel Rovira (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
83‘Thomas Janjigian (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83‘Foul by Albert Dikwa (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
82‘Younes Boudadi (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
80′ — RED CARD!! Kenardo Forbes is sent off! Kenny was knocked to ground, but got up quickly and gave Younes Boudadi a chest bump and scuffle ensued. Uncharacteristic of the Hounds captain. Hounds playing down a man now. Sebastian Elney (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
71‘Foul by Shane Wiedt (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
68‘Foul by Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
68‘Gabriel Torres (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
66‘Corner, Hartford Athletic. Conceded by Shane Wiedt.
64‘Substitution, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Albert Dikwa replaces Thomas Williamson.
64‘Substitution, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Daniel Rovira replaces Alexander Dixon.
60′ – Hartford makes two changes. Boudadi in for Lara, Elney in for Obregon up top.
YELLOW — Pittsburgh goalie Danny Vitiello assessed a yellow card in the 53rd minute
No Hounds changes; Luka Prpa on for Arthur Rogers for Hartford. Rogers was on a card.
54‘Foul by Thomas Williamson (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
54‘Gabriel Torres (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
50‘Attempt blocked. Luka Prpa (Hartford Athletic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Juan Carlos Obregón Jr.
50‘Foul by Juan Carlos Obregón Jr (Hartford Athletic).
50‘Russell Cicerone (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
49‘Foul by Thomas Williamson (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
49‘Gabriel Torres (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
47‘Attempt blocked. Alexander Dixon (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Todd Wharton.
HALFTIME:
Hounds hold shots edge (9-6, 3-1 on target)
45‘Foul by Conor McGlynn (Hartford Athletic).
45‘Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick on the right wing.
42‘Goal! Hartford Athletic 0, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1.
Russell Cicerone (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Thomas Williamson with a headed pass.
38‘Russell Cicerone (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
38‘Foul by Conor McGlynn (Hartford Athletic).
37‘Offside, Hartford Athletic. Thomas Janjigian tries a through ball, but Juan Carlos Obregón Jr is caught offside.
37‘Attempt missed. Danny Barrera (Hartford Athletic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
36‘Foul by Preston Kilwien (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
31‘Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick on the right wing.
29‘Foul by Juan Carlos Obregón Jr (Hartford Athletic).
29‘Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29‘Attempt missed. Preston Kilwien (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kenardo Forbes following a set piece situation.
28‘Foul by Bradford Jamieson (Hartford Athletic).
28‘Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick on the right wing.
26‘Arthur Rogers (Hartford Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
25‘Foul by Arthur Rogers (Hartford Athletic).
25‘Russell Cicerone (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
24‘Bradford Jamieson (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
24‘Foul by Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
22‘Thomas Janjigian (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
22‘Foul by Shane Wiedt (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
22‘Corner, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Conceded by Walid Yacoubou.
22‘Attempt blocked. Todd Wharton (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Griffin.
18‘Alejandro Lara (Hartford Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
18‘Foul by Alejandro Lara (Hartford Athletic).
18‘Alexander Dixon (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
17‘Attempt missed. Juan Carlos Obregón Jr (Hartford Athletic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Danny Barrera with a cross.
17‘Attempt blocked. Danny Barrera (Hartford Athletic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
17‘Attempt blocked. Preston Tabort Etaka (Hartford Athletic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
15′ – Wharton finds Dixon in space once again, and the ex-Hartford man tries for goal. The shot stings the hands of Caldwell, but it’s right at the GK, who parries it down easily and collects.
13‘Offside, Hartford Athletic. Conor McGlynn tries a through ball, but Juan Carlos Obregón Jr is caught offside.
11‘Attempt missed. Thomas Williamson (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is too high. Assisted by Jordan Dover.
10‘Foul by Juan Carlos Obregón Jr (Hartford Athletic).
10‘Preston Kilwien (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
10‘Attempt saved. Russell Cicerone (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alexander Dixon.
7‘Gabriel Torres (Hartford Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
7‘Foul by Daniel Griffin (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC).
6‘Attempt missed. Jordan Dover (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Kenardo Forbes with a cross following a set piece situation.
4‘Foul by Walid Yacoubou (Hartford Athletic).
4‘Russell Cicerone (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) wins a free kick on the left wing.
4‘Attempt saved. Bradford Jamieson (Hartford Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Conor McGlynn.
6:20 p.m. — we already have lineups to share!
Our starting XI tonight in CT! #UNLEASH | #HFDvPIT pic.twitter.com/P7TJHRUEVe
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) May 15, 2021
Here's how your Boys in Green line up tonight against @RiverhoundsSC! #HFDvPIT I #fortresshartford I #allin pic.twitter.com/YmwNVoMSvB
— Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) May 15, 2021
We’ll also have postgame recap and reaction here too.
Preview
The Hounds (0-1-0) are coming off a disappointing showing in their opening match last Saturday, a 3-0 loss at the Tampa Bay Rowdies, while Hartford (2-0-0) has a pair of one-goal wins to start the season on the front foot. Hartford most recently topped Miami FC last Saturday, 1-0.
With a new head coach, Harry Watling, and many new faces on the roster, Hartford is a different team than the side the Hounds faced three times last season. The Hounds won twice but lost their final meeting of the year, 1-0, which ended up being the difference in giving Hartford the Group F title over the second-place Hounds.
Alex Dixon, now with the Hounds, was Hartford’s leading scorer a season ago with six goals, but the home team still has some potency in attack with midfielder Danny Barrera (two goals, one assist in 2021) and striker Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. (one goal in 2021). The Hounds, meanwhile, will be seeking to find the target more frequently than a week ago, when only one of the team’s seven shots — a Tommy Williamson free kick — was on goal.
The Hounds are 4-1-0 all-time against Hartford and have won both meetings between the teams at Dillon Stadium. Though they only have one game under their belt so far, the Hounds are one of three teams yet to record a point in the Atlantic Division standings, so getting something from the match will be critical to avoid digging an early hole in the playoff race.
PSN Riverhounds Coverage
Preview: Hounds get Hartford Athletic for season’s second match