Riverhounds drop preseason matinee to Loudoun United FC, 2-1

In their penultimate preseason tune-up against Loudon United, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC were defeated by Loudoun United 2 to 1.

The first goal was a penalty kick for first-year Hound Augustine Williams five minutes into the match.

Loudoun would equalize with the clock at 15′. — off the foot of Abdellatif Aboukoura.

Most of the remainder of the first half was chippy but also slow-developing and deliberate.

There were robust lineup changes throughout the second half as Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley took off expected opening day starters and brought in a chunk of recent signings and officially announced trialists. Fullbacks Perrin Barnes and Beto Ydrach joined the match in the second half, as did midfield trialist Jorge Garcia and offseason signing and presumed backup striker Brigham Larsen. Larsen, a 6′ 4″ 200 pound native of Oslo, Norway seems to fit into a trend of ‘big fellas’ the Riverhounds front office likes to have in from of goal; think former Hound Steevan Dossantos.

Also of note: former Pitt standout Jackson Walti, normally a central midfielder, spent the match manning the backline alongside Sean Suber. An able distributor, it was interesting to ask if Walti is going to be there to start the season.

Pittsburgh started mostly a veteran lineup that fans might expect will serve as the anchors of the team this year. The starters included midfielders Danny Griffin, Robbie Mertz, and Junior Etou; forward Augustine Williams; and goalkeeper Eric Dick.

Loudoun’s training kits don’t include numbers, so PSN was unable to provide any details on who did what for Loudoun, other than the starters.

Just as the match reached the 90th minute, Loudoun’s Zach Ryan scored the game-winner.

First Half Events

5′ – Goal Riverhounds! Riverhounds Augustine Williams converts a PK from the spot.

15′ – Goal Loudoun United.

Second Half Events

58′ – Illal Osumanu checks in. I believe Jackson Walti came off.

66′ – Etou, Williams, Sample off; F Brigham Larsen, Sean Suber, and another player come off.

73′ – Kenardo Forbes and Perrin Barnes step onto the field; Robbie Mertz comes off. The only starters left in the match are Eric Dick and Danny Griffin.

79′ – Solid save from Eric Dick on a low screamer. He hasn’t been challenged much today.

86′ – Foul gives Loudoun a free kick just outside of the box maybe 22 feet out. Kick goes into the wall, rebound is hit hard at Dick but he grabs it.

90′ – Loudoun scores! A mistake by the Hounds defense and the DC suburban squad goes on top. Zach Ryan with the goal.

FT – PGH tries one last rush which turns into a Kenny Forbes throw in and a cross from one of the team’s trialists. It rattles around in the box and gets claimed by Loudoun’s keeper. That’s all from Highmark.

Starting Lineups

(both the Hounds official and my on-the-fly were inaccurate. But you get the idea.)

Starting XI for the Hounds: Dick, Etou, Suber, Broughton, Biasi, Walti, Sample, Griffin, Mertz, Williams and Jacquesson.#Grittsburgh

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) February 25, 2025

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Kickoff!

We’re taking on @RiverhoundsSC at Highmark Stadium for another preseason match.

Starting XI:
Fauroux, Awuah, Erlandson, Leerman, Tingey, McCabe, Skundrich, Aboukoura, Valot, Leggett, and Bidois

Follow along for more updates!

— Loudoun United Football Club (@LoudounUnitedFC) February 25, 2025

 

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