FINAL: Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-0 Detroit City FC
USL Championship Match Center – Box Score
Record regular season crowd sees best performance of year to date in shutout win over previously perfect Detroit
A regular-season record crowd of 6,099 was on hand at Highmark Stadium to see the Hounds win their second consecutive match and second of 2024, ending Detroit’s unblemished start to the year with a 2-0 shutout win at home.
The first half opened with fairly balanced play, each side generating shots in the first 10 minutes off effective pressing and forced turnovers, but neither massively threatening to either goalkeeper.
That changed in the 20th minute. After several minutes of sustained Hounds pressure and several corners, a chance finally fell the Hounds way. After a Kenny Forbes corner, a tertiary ball fell to Robbie Mertz on the right wing. His lob back across goal found Pat Hogan, who fired home a powerful header to the left side goal beyond Steinwascher to open the scoring for the Hounds on the night.
That wouldn’t be the only chance the Hounds generated. The pressure continued to mount, forcing turnover after turnover and keeping the ball in Detroit’s half until finally Junior Etou delivered a stellar run from near the center line – darting through Detroit defenders before finally being brought down in the box, drawing a rapid penalty call from the ref. Danny Griffin stepped up to take the ensuing spot kick and blasted an effort that Steinwascher got a hand to but couldn’t keep out to give the Hounds a two goal lead.
After some further contentious play as Detroit attempted to answer back, two Hounds picked up yellow cards – Griffin and Langston Blackstock each stopping counters with tactical fouls. Ultimately, neither team would add to the scoresheet for the remainder of the half, and the Hounds entered the break with a 2-0 lead and a promising level of play.
While the second half didn’t see any additional scoring, it did see some contentious play. A handful of yellows were issued to both sides as the match progressed, capped off by Detroit’s captain Stephen Carroll being sent of with a straight red in the latter moments of the match.
The highest points of the second half were a pair of record-setting moments. First, an announced crowd of 6,099 set a regular-season Hounds record for most attended game, and the fans were treated to a good one. Secondly, Kenardo Forbes – just a few games after setting the Hounds appearance record – set the USL league-wide all-time minutes record and was properly celebrated by the home faithful.
Ultimately, it was a dominant Hounds performance from start to finish, certainly the best of the year to date on both ends of the field. They earn their second win of the year and second straight, with another home game coming up next week against Miami FC.
Match Events
Pittsburgh Riverhounds starters: Eric Dick (GK), Danny Griffin (c), Pat Hogan, Langston Blackstock, Junior Etou, Kenardo Forbes, Luke Biasi, Robbie Mertz, Bradley Sample, Illal Osumanu, Kazaiah Sterling
Subs: Dani Rovira, Sean Suber, EJ Johnson, Nate Dragisich, Gabriel Perrotta, Bradley Sample, Babacar Diene
One hour 'til kickoff, which means it's time for tonight's starting XI! 💪
A few important notes for tonight: dollar beers (I.C. Light and Bud Light) are available until 7pm at the pub and concession under the stands. AND be in your seats at 7pm for a BIG announcement! 👀… pic.twitter.com/JzEBAZAt9T
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 27, 2024
Tampa Bay Rowdies starters: Nate Steinwascher, Alex Villanueva, Stephen Carroll (c), James Murphy, Victor Bezerra, Abdoulaye Diop, Ben Morris, Ali Coote, Michael Bryant, Maxi Rodriguez, Devon Amoo-Mensah
Subs: Ryan Williams, Dominic Gasso, Connor Rutz, Yazeed Matthews, Matt Sheldon, Carlos Saldana, Danmiel Espeleta
We are one hour from kickoff in Pittsburgh! Here is your @DMC_Heals Starting XI! pic.twitter.com/Ckc85Fo4Gz
— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) April 27, 2024
Key moments:
0′ – The players take to the field. Hounds in their home blacks, Detroit in their road gold and white. The Hounds announce the launch of a USL W League team in 2025 ahead of kickoff!
8′ – A dangerous defensive turnover for the Hounds hands Diop the ball in a ton of space for Detroit. He uncorks an effort on goal, but its high and wide.
13′ – First shot of the night for the Hounds after a turnover quickly gets to Sterling. He rips a powerful shot from the top of the box, blocked and deflected by two Detroit defenders – with a cry for handball during – and Kenny Forbes is offsides on the follow-up.
21′ – GOAL HOUNDS! An early 1-0 lead for the hosts! After yet another corner in a brilliant start, Robbie Mertz lobs a secondary ball back across goal and it’s headed home by Pat Hogan!
That's Hogan's first Riverhounds goal, and at a great time as the Hounds aim to continue their turnaround from early season struggles and pursue a second straight win.#HOUNDTAHN | @pghsoccernow
— Colton Coreschi (@cjcoreschi) April 27, 2024
And Highmark goes crazy! 🎉
Patrick Hogan puts @RiverhoundsSC in front! 🐾 pic.twitter.com/DrDHes6Fzz
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 27, 2024
33′ – PENALTY HOUNDS! A tremendous run from Junior Etou into the box from midfield and he’s hacked down by the last possible defender. Ref wastes no time pointing to the spot. A yellow to Detroit City’s Amoo-Mensah, and Etou remains down.
35′ – GOAL HOUNDS! 2-0! Danny Griffin converts the penalty earned by Etou. The Hounds secure a two-goal advantage in the first half.
Here's the first of the season for @DannyGriffin04!
💵💵💵 The captain is money from 12 yards.#PITvDET #HOUNDTAHN pic.twitter.com/o9P1l8YEAO
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 27, 2024
🏃♂️💨 And check out the run by Junior Etou to win the penalty.
Now we know why Coach Bob calls him "Jet!" ✈️#PITvDET #HOUNDTAHN pic.twitter.com/aQj1UhrhhB
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 27, 2024
40′ – Yellow card issued to the recent goalscorer Danny Griffin after a reckless challenge in midfield.
45+1′ – Yellow card issued to Langston Blackstock for stopping a Detroit counter after losing possession on the wing
Halftime: Riverhounds 2-0 Detroit City
Thoughts: A much better showing from the Hounds this home match, arguably their best half of the year. Played nearly entirely in Detroit’s half, lots of wins on secondary balls, lots of hustle pushing the ball forward, and dividends to show for it.
50′ – A yellow card issued to Junior Etou after a challenge in the box is deemed simulation.
51′ – An advantageous Hounds counter has numbers, leading to a cross from the wing. It misses everyone in the box before falling to Blackstock at the top of the 18, who fires it just high of the Detroit goal.
Reported attendance at Highmark tonight: A @RiverhoundsSC regular-season record of 6,099 in the house! Just an amazing showing from the fans on such a beautiful evening!#HOUNDTAHN | @pghsoccernow
— Colton Coreschi (@cjcoreschi) April 28, 2024
55′ – A nice note on the scoreboard honoring Kenardo Forbes for becoming the all-time USL minutes leader!
They don't call him King Kenny for nothing! 👑
Congratulations to Kenardo Forbes of @RiverhoundsSC for becoming the league's all-time leader in regular season minutes! pic.twitter.com/cTTpO2zt6D
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 28, 2024
61′ – Two subs for Detroit City – Matthews and Sheldon on, Bezerra and Bryant off
65′ – Two subs for the Hounds – Rovira and Suber on, Blackstock and Etou off
69′ – Two subs for Detroit – Rutz and Espeleta on, Morris and Coote off
75′ – A yellow card issued to Detroit’s Diop
80′ – Detroit’s final sub of the night: Diop off, Williams on
82′ – Two additional subs for the Hounds: DeShields and Diene on, Forbes and Sterling off
90′ – Yellow card issued to Babacar Diene for a late challenge.
90′ – Final sub for the Hounds as Nate Dragisich subs on for his second appearance, replacing Robbie Mertz
90′ – Red Card! Detroit City’s Carroll is sent off for a bad challenge.
Final: Riverhounds 2-0 Detroit City