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Despite ‘least complete performance’ of preseason, Riverhounds wrestle back control in second half to beat Loudoun, 2-1

The Riverhounds continued to stay in solid form in the preseason in terms of results, coming away with a 2-1 win against Eastern Conference foe, Loudoun United FC, at AHN Montour Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon.

While the result was a positive, Head Coach Rob Vincent thought his group took a step back when looking at the full 90 minute team output compared to the previous two preseason wins (2-0 vs Richmond and 3-0 vs Indy Eleven).

Pittsburgh’s goals came from Trevor Amann in the first half, then they recaptured the lead when Eliot Goldthorp’s cross from the left side deflected off a Loudoun FC defender for an own goal.  Arquimides Ordóñez scored the lone goal for Loudoun,

“Intensity was good, but that was probably our least complete performance of the preseason,” Vincent said.

“Today we started to get a little gappy defensively. Even thought we caught a little spell in the middle of the game, we found a way to get a win.”

The Hounds came out with a relentless high press, punishing Loudoun efforts to play it out of the back.

The Black and Gold capitalized past the 20 minute mark when one of the team’s new signings, Trevor Amann, who started the match in the central, target forward position, hit home a clinical finish, with this assist coming from Jorge Garcia Hounds after a Loudoun giveaway on the attacking right side.

The Hounds nearly doubled the lead moments later when another errant pass came to Garcia’s foot 24 yards from goal.

The former Villanova standout, who played the first 45 minutes on the left attacking spot, just under Amann, took a run at it from outside the box, driving a low turf burner toward the open, left side of goal, but a spectacular save from Loudoun’s keeper Adam Beaudry kept the score at 1-0 Hounds.

Pittsburgh’s first half line-up included nine rostered players and two trialists.

When the second half began — it was clear that both teams were still mixing things up with their respective squad rotation — as the Hounds left only one player on the field who finished the first half.

The momentum shifted too.

“Midway through the first half we started to see some structural things we didn’t like from the bench,” Vincent added.
“And, it looked like it was going to be a long second half.”
Within four minutes of the second half, Pittsburgh surrended its first goal in any competion since mid-October.

Loudoun’s Jack Panayotou turned the corner along the goal line and into the right side of the box. Panayotou found Ordóñez arriving late to the front of goal, and the Guatemalan international scored with a rising shot under the crossbar.

The Hounds pulled ahead for good in the 66th minute when Eliot Goldthorp whipped a waist-high cross into the box from the left side.

Albert Dikwa and Brigham Larsen both made runs to get on the end of the pass, but it was the leg of a Loudoun defender that turned the ball into the goal for a 2-1 Hounds lead.

Dikwa, who earlier was fouled on a breakaway opportunity, nearly added another goal when he got behind the defense and attempted to chip the goalkeeper, but his effort from just outside of the box bounced off the top of the crossbar and out of play.

One again, the Hounds utilized a large portion of their bench, with 16 of their 18 signed players appearing, along with seven players in camp as non-roster trialists.

“We wrestled back control of it and we finished the game really well,” Vincent said.

“There were some positives. Some negatives.  We’ll look at some video and hopefully move forward.”

Look for more content to come over the weekend, as we will have more from this match including reaction from first half starters, Charles Ahl and goalkeeper, Nico Campuzano.

Post Match Interviews 

Hounds First Half Starters 

GK

  • Nico Campuzano

DEF

  • Beto Ydrach
  • Victor Souza
  • Trialist (#30)

OUTSIDE BACKS

  • Junior Etou
  • Trialist (#13)

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS

  • Danny Griffin
  • Jackson Walti

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS

  • Charles Ahl
  • Jorge Garcia

FORWARD

  • Trevor Amann

 

Second Half Starters & Rotation  

GK

  • Trialist

DEFENDERS

  • Trialist (Guillaume Vacter)
  • Trialist
  • Illal Osumanu

OUTSIDE BACKS

  • Trialists (#27)
  • Trialist

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

  • Bradley Sample
  • Warren Agostoni (Danny Griffin)

ATTACKING MIDFIELD

  • Brigham Larsen
  • Eliott Goldthorp

FORWARD

  • Albert Dikwa

 

 

 

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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