FINAL: Riverhounds 1, New Mexico United 0

USL Championship — Week 14

FINAL: Riverhounds 1, New Mexico United 0

USL Championship Center: MATCH STATS

Instant Match Summary

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds made it a triumphant return to tradition of hosting a Independence Day match for the first time since 2019, as veteran midfielder Robbie Mertz delivered the match’s lone goal in defeating USL Championship’s Western Conference leaders, New Mexico United, 1-0, before a sellout crowd at Highmark Stadium on Friday evening.

With the win, Hounds (6-6-2, 20 points) move into a tie for fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference table.

The match’s deciding moment came in the 68th minute, as the Hounds took advantage of a transition moment in the final third after high press generated a New Mexico turnover.   Captain Danny Griffin led the charge to the edge of the box, laying off a pass to the left to forward Augi Williams.

Williams delivered a one-time chance that forced New Mexico’s Alex Timbakas to make a kick save, but the venerable Mertz was the man on the spot, coming into center edge of goal box to take one touch to deliver a shot that smacked the back of the net and send Highmark Stadium into a frenzy.

 

The Hounds conceded possession (67/33) and passes (648-268) yet were constantly bringing pressure to the tune of a 18-6 shots advantage (5-3 on target), thanks to its high press which disrupted New Mexico’s attempts to play the ball out of the back and defensive midfield.

Look for a more detailed recap to follow.  

Match Day Updates

It’s a busy Independence Day at Highmark Stadium, as the Riverhounds will cap the action by returning to a tradition they started in the 2010s, hosting a home match on July 4.   Be sure to keep up with the latest, here, as we’ll have match updates, commentary and more…

2nd Half

FINAL — RIVERHOUNDS 1, NEW MEXICO 0

Hounds

68′ — GOAL — RIVERHOUNDS 1, NEW MEXICO 0

Transition moment generates goal!

Robbie Mertz is there after Augi Williams shot is saved by Alex Timbakas.

67′ — Hounds Subs

• IN:  Bertin Jacquesson / Bradley Sample / Junior Etou
• OUT: Luke Biasi / Jackson Walti / Charles Ahl

63′ — POST AGAIN!!  Augi Williams from tough angle but nearly slips one through.  Could’ve been offside but they let it go.

55′ – SAVE! Dick shuffles to his left and touches the curling free kick over the bar!

54′ – Biasi mistimes the tackle on Akale for New Mexico, and it’s a free kick right at the edge of the box. Yellow card for Luke.

1st Half 

38′ – ANOTHER POST! It’s Suber who puts it off the right bar after Mertz’s free kick was headed back across goal. Two off the woodwork in the first half

21′ – OFF THE POST! Vacter turns the corner off the left stick, and the ball pings around until a half-clearance comes to Griffin, who misses high.

15′ – Another half-chance, as Ydrach finds the head of Griffin in the box, but DG can’t get much power on the ball as he turns it toward goal.

14′ – Ahl pounces on the ball after a turnover in the attacking third, and his shot skips just wide of the post.

10′ – Bouncing ball through and Williams is in behind the defense! Tambakis off his line in the New Mexico goal, and Augi isn’t able to touch the ball around the GK… first great chance there.

7:06 p.m. — the match has kicked off!

Starting Lineups are posted:

 

 

Match Preview / What’s At Stake

With two wins from two matches in a four-match homestand, the Hounds will try to keep things rolling when they host Western Conference-leading New Mexico United in a special Friday night contest at Highmark Stadium.

While the soccer match is the main event, Friday’s match marks the return of the Hounds’ Independence Day home matches, a tradition in the early years of Highmark Stadium before the 2020 pandemic interrupted the nearly annual event.

Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: Fourth of July tradition returns in big way to Highmark Stadium as Riveters host W League playoff followed by Riverhounds

The Hounds are 4-2-1 in seven Independence Day matches at Highmark Stadium — including two wins in the first two seasons under Bob Lilley — but those have little bearing on this year’s match, which will be a challenge against a potent New Mexico squad that is sixth in the Championship with 21 goals scored.

New Mexico United: A Closer Look

New Mexico has done it with balance in attack, as six different players have multiple goals for them, led by four from Luiz Fernando and five assists from Mukwelle Akale, another player with multiple goals in 2025.

They have also been solid, if not spectacular, at the back with only 14 goals allowed, and that starts with one of the Championship’s most experienced goalkeepers, Alex Tambakis, who is one clean sheet away from tying the league’s all-time record of 58 career shutouts.

Hounds Personnel and What to Look For

The Hounds were able to get some regular players rest last week in the Jägermeister Cup win over Westchester SC.

Two players have come up on the Hounds’ injury report:  Aidan O’Toole (knee) is out while Illal Osumanu (hamstring) is questionable.

Eric Dick and Guillaume Vacter both had the full night off last week, while Jackson Walti, Luke Biasi and Augi Williams all played limited minutes off the bench last Saturday. Each will be available to fill their usual roles Friday night, as will Bertin Jacquesson, who opened his scoring account with the lone goal in the 1-0 win.

John K’s Projected Riverhounds Lineup 

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