Sobering Dose of Reality: Clinical Red Bulls dismiss Riverhounds, 3-1

Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ quest for another historic Open Cup run hit a wall of clinical efficiency on Wednesday night, as the New York Red Bulls secured a 3-1 victory at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

While the Hounds entered the night hoping to maintain their giant-killer reputation, they were systematically dismantled by a deep, disciplined Red Bull side that offered none of the roster instability Pittsburgh has exploited in years past.

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First Half

The opening 45 minutes provided a stark illustration of Michael Bradley’s new control philosophy.

New York dominated the tempo from the opening whistle, pinning the Hounds deep. T

he breakthrough came in the 25th minute when captain Emil Forsberg stood over a free kick and curled a right-footed shot into the top right corner, leaving Nico Campuzano with no chance.

The mountain grew steeper just three minutes later for the Hounds.

In the 28th minute, Julian Hall capitalized on a ball from Nehuén Benedetti, slotting a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner to double the lead.

Pittsburgh struggled to find a foothold, though Robbie Mertz missed a close effort in the 36th minute that could have changed the complexion of the half and possibly the match.

New York headed into the locker room with a commanding 2-0 cushion.

Second Half 

Any hopes of a Pittsburgh comeback were dealt a devastating blow immediately after the restart. In the 47th minute, Julian Hall secured his brace, firing home from the center of the box following an assist from Forsberg.

The match then settled into a tactical battle as Michael Bradley utilized his bench to manage the game.

The Hounds refused to go quietly, finding a lifeline in the 79th minute.

Following a corner, Eliot Goldthorp whipped in a cross that Trevor Amann met with a clinical header into the bottom left corner to make it 3-1.

Despite a late push and a flurry of substitutions from Rob Vincent, the Red Bulls’ professional game management stifled any further threats. The night ended on a worrying note for Pittsburgh as Albert Dikwa suffered an injury in the closing minutes of stoppage time.

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MATCH SUMMARY

Final Score: NY Red Bulls 3, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1

Goals:

• NYRB: Emil Forsberg (25’)

• NYRB: Julian Hall (28’)

• NYRB: Julian Hall (47’)

• PIT: Trevor Amann (79’)

LINEUPS & SUBSTITUTIONS

NEW YORK RED BULLS (4-3-3):

• GK: John McCarthy

• DEF: Matthew Dos Santos (Valencia 56’), Robert Voloder (Parker 73’), Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Gustav Berggren

• MID: Adri Mehmeti (Cowell 80’), Nehuén Benedetti, Emil Forsberg (C) (Donkor 57’)

• FWD: Julian Hall (Mitchell 57’ / Ruvalcaba 69’), Rafael Mosquera, Mohammed Sofo

PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC (3-4-2-1):

• GK: Nico Campuzano

• DEF: Illal Osumanu, Lasse Kelp (Souza 67’), Owen Mikoy (Barnes 77’)

• MID: Danny Griffin (C) (Wälti 61’), Bradley Sample (Garcia 77’), Max Viera, Junior Etou

• FWD: Trevor Amann, Brigham Larsen (Dikwa 61’), Robbie Mertz (Goldthorp 61’)

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Next Match: The Hounds return to Highmark Stadium this Saturday, April 18, to face Detroit City FC as they look to get their USL Championship campaign back on track.