Post Match Reaction: Riverhounds rise to top of standings with fifth straight league win

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson

Riverhounds SC Post Match Coverage on Pittsburgh Soccer Now is presented by The Bulldog Pub

 

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds didn’t waste any time scoring, as Junior Etou scored the fastest goal in club history, then Tola Showunmi added a late goal to secure a 2-0 victory against Charleston Battery on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

FINAL: Riverhounds SC 2, Charleston Battery 0

With the win, the Hounds jumped the Battery in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference standings.

After the match, PSN’s John Krysinsky caught up with Bob Lilley and Junior Etou.  In addition, we have Twitter reaction to the Hounds’ fifth straight league win below.

Post Match Interviews/Quotes with Bob Lilley and Junior Etou

Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley on winning what he called another ‘gutty performance

“I told the guys good teams find ways, even if we didn’t have our best for the full game,” Lilley said.

“We got on top early, and as inconsistent as we were on the ball, we made it hard for them. I like to see that. We’re starting to rack up shutouts in the league, which is important, especially as we’re getting ready to play some potent teams offensively.”

Post Match Press Conference with Coach Lilley began with the question, is scoring a goal 21 seconds into a match a blessing or a curse?

“It was probably a curse,” Lilley said of scoring in the first minute.

“It’s a great goal, and its important in the game, but I don’t think we ever established how we wanted to play this game. When you score that early, you put that one in the bank and it’s like a CD or a retirement fund. You don’t spend it. You go back to it being 0-0 and play.”

Hounds MF Junior Etou on making the most of his chance early in the match

“Before the game, Coach (Lilley) said when I make a run in the box and the ball comes to me, hit it with my first touch,” Etou said. “Last game against Cincinnati, the same ball came in. I went to take a touch and finish and didn’t.

“It was a strike that I need to score, and I think our midfielders need to score more because we have had so many chances coming into today’s game. Today, I got the goal and it felt good for me.”

#PITvCHS Twitter Reaction 

Your Old Guard Shield Victory Selfie, featuring an ecstatic @Tola_show!#UNLEASH pic.twitter.com/4yDpVbJfps

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) June 11, 2023

Made it, Ma! Top of the table! pic.twitter.com/IZR5s8cvAq

— James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) June 11, 2023

Repeat after me…
Final
The first-place @RiverhoundsSC 2, @Chas_Battery 0. @PGSportsNow #houndtahn

— Keith Barnes (@kbarnes_pghsprt) June 11, 2023

Night night, @RiverhoundsSC fans. pic.twitter.com/e2DTHLYrku

— Ryan Shaffer (@RyanRShaffer1) June 11, 2023

First Place @RiverhoundsSC. Looks mighty pretty if you ask me. pic.twitter.com/tBLrmhUmQw

— Steve Kubitz ✡️ (@SteveKubitz) June 11, 2023

👊👊👊👊👊 BOOM!!!!! https://t.co/aNmhq7SSXJ

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) June 11, 2023

Your Old Guard Shield Victory Selfie, featuring an ecstatic @Tola_show!#UNLEASH pic.twitter.com/4yDpVbJfps

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) June 11, 2023

Shoutout to @RiverhoundsSC for an awesome game and WIN to become TOP of the Eastern Division! The autograph signing on the field was an fantastic touch to a great night.

P.s. beautiful stadium! pic.twitter.com/TqSWhnQnpp

— Arse Bro Ryan (@ArseBrosRyan) June 11, 2023

Big win. @RiverhoundsSC gutted it out with a couple nifty finishes. First-place 'Hounds! https://t.co/8CXuax7ZWi

— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) June 11, 2023

Thanks for the birthday present @RiverhoundsSC!

I’ll happily take 3 points and top of the table! https://t.co/q2INP3LMv5

— Josh (@CharlieBlix) June 11, 2023

One of the great things about going to the Riverhounds games is that the players come around and slap hands with the fans.

You will not find this in any other profession sport. pic.twitter.com/jP6x8puN48

— Cleveland Fan in Pittsburgh (@412made216born) June 11, 2023

Got to meet the players and the coach. Thank you Riverhounds for the amazing 2-0 win to make us the top of the league!!! pic.twitter.com/x2ixZ7lgH8

— JayStu412 (@jay_stu412) June 11, 2023

“The Summer of ⚽️”

To see the place consistently packed liked this has been amazing. THANK YOU to every single person who came out tonight to cheer on @RiverhoundsSC. Whether you’ve been here at @highmarkstadium or tuning in from your local bar, it’s so greatly appreciated 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/ax78NKorgx

— Greg Pai (@GregPai1) June 11, 2023

What a night. Electric and amazing are 2 words to describe it. @RiverhoundsSC were exceptional. The fans; unbelievable. The @SteelArmy? What can you say. They brought their best and were a factor in the game. Bravo Pittsburgh. This might just be a soccer town yet @pghsoccernow pic.twitter.com/Rax7ECfHge

— Ed Thompson (@ThompsonFoto12) June 11, 2023

A goal so quick, we didn't even need to subscribe to Twitter to show the entire build-up!

Junior on the board with his first, and that's the 60th @USLChampionship assist for @KenardoF!#PITvCHS #HOUNDTAHN pic.twitter.com/h5f3XxT5cS

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) June 10, 2023

 

Recently slain @McKeesport_PD officer Sean “Slug” Sluganski’s fiancé; Chelsea Cancilla; and daughter Haven handed out the official game ball tonight at the @RiverhoundsSC v. @Chas_Battery. I don’t think there will ever be a more precious game ball presentation. @pghsoccernow pic.twitter.com/gywHvNvT84

— Ed Thompson (@ThompsonFoto12) June 11, 2023