FINAL: Riverhounds SC 1, Hartford Athletic FC 0

USL Championship Regular Season Week 3

FINAL: Riverhounds 1, Hartford Athletic 0

Live statistics: USLC Match Center

Instant Match Summary

At their home opener where the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC honored its recently retired, long-time captain and most decorated player in club history, Kenardo Forbes, the current captain, Danny Griffin came through in the clutch.

Griffin’s 75th minute header goal broke a tight, scoreless contest, giving the home side a 1-0 victory against Hartford Athletic at Highmark Stadium on Saturday night.

It was Pittsburgh’s first clean sheet of the season, as the USL Championship’s reigning Gold Glove winner, Erik Dick made one save on the night.

The Hounds (1-1-1, 4 points) dominated possession (62/38 edge) but were struggling for much of the match to find an answer in the final third.

The goal came when veteran winger Junior Etou sent a diagonal cross into the middle of the box from the left side, as Griffin made a clever run to get behind Hartford’s defenders — in the open space in the center of the box.

Captain Danny to the rescue! 🫡@RiverhoundsSC leads at Highmark!#USLKickoff | @Terminix pic.twitter.com/QBapDfFI5M

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) March 23, 2025

Look for more to come including post match reaction, reports from Rachael Kriger at Highmark Stadium along with more photos from Ed Thompson.  

Match Updates

Look for reports from Highmark Stadium, including starting lineups and in-game updates here…

FINAL — PITTSBURGH 1, HARTFORD 0

88′ — SUB — HOUNDS

• IN — Brigham Larsen
• OUT — Auggie Williams

85′ — SUB — HOUNDS 

Another Riverhounds substitute. Junior Etou and Robbie Mertz are out, Max Broughton and Bradley Sample are in.

75′ GOOOOOOAL!  RIVERHOUNDS 1, HARTFORD 0 

DANNY GRIFFIN WITH HIS FIRST OF THE SEASON

HOUNDS get on the board at home! That’s Danny Griffin who nabs the Hounds’ first home goal of the season. Beautiful ball from Junior Etou, who gets the assist. Hounds lead with about 15 left!

71′ MASSIVE tackle from Illal Osumanu to clear the ball away from danger. We’ve got a Riverhounds player down, though. Hard to tell who it is.

62′ — SUB — HOUNDS

• IN — Jason Bourgey
• OUT — Aiden O’Toole

HALF — PITTSBURGH 0, HARTFORD 0

Hounds own 65 percent possession but each team with two shots and nothing to show for it.

45′ — Great chance for Hounds before time runs out.  Great save by HFD keeper Antony Siaha!

Ydrach header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top center of the goal. Assisted by Aidan O’Toole with a cross.

44′ — Corner kick coming for the Hounds here, after a really nice chance from Beto Ydrach. Corner kick doesn’t give anything, though.

43′ — A bad giveaway from the Hounds gives Hartford an opportunity. Michee Ngalina with the cross, but it’s Jackson Wälti with the clearance.

 

Are the Hounds becoming that team who dominates possession but can't score?

Just asking for a friend? @pghsoccernow #PITvHFD

— John Krysinsky (@JohnKrysinsky) March 22, 2025

32′ — Break in the match for Ramadan. Players fasting for Ramadan are able to get something to eat. Play will resume momentarily with the free kick.

31′ — YELLOW CARD — Illal Osumanu (slide tackle attempt doesn’t go very well)

30′ — Coming into this match — Hounds and Hartford were at the bottom of the league in shot attempts and big chances (granted small sample size) — but thus far thru nearly 30 — just two shots apiece (neither on frame)

26′ – Hounds players upset after they thought they had a turnover. Williams called for catching Sebastian Anderson a little late, but there wasn’t much in it. Hartford free kick instead of a 4-on-4 situation in the attacking half.

21′ – Another dangerous cross from the left, where the Hounds have had their best forays forward. This one had both Williams and O’Toole making runs at the back post, but Siaha is off his line to match the clean catch for Hartford.

12′ – Good curling cross from Etou toward the penalty spot, and Danny Griffin rises to turn it just wide of the left post!

7′ — Hounds continue trend early in match being on the ball and dictating terms — still no shots though.

1′ — HARTFORD chance!! Dieng right footed shot from the center of the box is too high.

A great pregame ceremony to honor the career of Kenardo Forbes.

A proper send-off to the most decorated player in Hounds history with coach Bob Lilley, team owner Tuffy Shallenberger and Kenardo's family.

Thanks for seven unmatched years, @KenardoF! #PITvHFD #Grittsburgh pic.twitter.com/arjmlhOgTl

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 22, 2025

STARTING LINEUPS:

The flags are hoisted and the beers are cracked.

Hounds 2025 is here.#UNLEASH pic.twitter.com/qfmeTYNehR

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) March 22, 2025