Post Match Reaction: Riverhounds handed another disappointing postseason exit in 1-0 loss to Detroit City FC

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC remarkable 2023 campaign came to a crashing halt in the USL Championship Eastern Conference quarterfinal match, with Detroit City FC playing the role of spoiler, defeating the Hounds, 1-0, before a record crowd at Highmark Stadium on Saturday night.

Detroit City FC’s Dominic Grasso scored his first-ever professional goal in the 81st minute to break a tight contest which both teams severely limited each others chances throughout.

PSN’s Matthew Baldwin provided the quick recap and snippets from Head Coach Bob Lilley’s post match press conference after the match.

FINAL: Detroit City FC 1, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 0 (Hounds’ season ends with stunning home defeat)

Head coach Bob Lilley cut a dejected figure in his post-game press conference, but was clear to give Detroit credit for the work they put in to keep the Hounds out.

“I’ve been in game long time. We needed to create more chances. Detroit deserves credit. They mucked it up. (There were a) lot of long balls. Lot of collisions. We weren’t clinical enough when we had our moments,” Lilley stated in his post match press conference.

A solitary goal from 20 year-old USL Academy product Dominic Gasso was enough to give Detroit the win in a very close game in which the Hounds never really had a clear chance to take the lead. Lilley stated, the way the game had played out it was always likely going to come down to that one chance, the chance that sadly fell to the visitors.

“Anyone in stands around 60th minute, knew probably one goal would be the difference,” Lilley added.

“One player made a great strike. It went through a lot of bodies. Happens in sports more than you realize. One goal changes everything.”

Attention will now turn to the offseason and perhaps the hardest task of them all, trying to keep as much of this squad together to make another run in 2024, a squad that Lilley was kean to praise despite the disappointing end.

“It’s a great group. Lot of guys will be back. I know when we had our huddle after game. (I) said to guys, keep your head up. It was a great season. We made a great run in the Open Cup. We won the regular season (Players Shield). We did as much as we could expect from them,” Lilley said.

“This team has been a pleasure to coach. Great to see fans out there, getting behind the guys all season long.”

For much more from Lilley, Gasso and PSN’s John Krysinsky and Matthew Baldwin, check out the videos below.  Plus, we have Twitter reaction at the bottom of the article too.  

FULL BOB LILLEY POST MATCH INTERVIEW (10/21/2023)

DETROIT CITY FC’s DOMINIC GASSO (10/21/2023)

 

PSN POST MATCH REACTION WITH JOHN KRYSINSKY & MATTHEW BALDWIN

TWITTER REACTION (#PITvDET)

Disappointed and Gutted! Not the way it supposed to end! I want to thank everyone for their unwavering support. Thank you Pittsburgh! @RiverhoundsSC 👊

— Tuffy Shallenberger (@Tuffy_Shall) October 22, 2023

If dreams were thunder
And lightning was desire…

Best team of 24 over 34 games.
Second best on the night.
Still a high water mark for the club.

Nothing to regret. pic.twitter.com/x7h9dRD9P6

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) October 22, 2023

Incredible season for both the @RiverhoundsSC and their @SteelArmy. Hate to see it end, but it was a great ride. The Steel Army is hands down the best support group/fan section in the league. Maybe soccer. See you in the spring!! @pghsoccernow #USLChampionship pic.twitter.com/xvPGmvudTK

— Ed Thompson (@ThompsonFoto12) October 22, 2023

JOHN DALY smoking a dart at a Pittsburgh Riverhounds match just might be the breakthrough crossover that American Soccer truly needs. ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/L3Dr0zqeTF

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 21, 2023

Everyone has their talent. I can write books and this guy at #PITvDET is good at … this.

Congrats? I guess? Well done! 😅 pic.twitter.com/Lb35VbmjSv

— ShadowWulf (@DerSchattenwolf) October 21, 2023