USL League Two – Pittsburgh Derby Edition #2

Final: Riverhounds Two 0, Steel City FC 0

Match Box Score – USL League Two Match Center

Match Summary

In the second chapter of the USL League Two’s Pittsburgh Derby, the elements and defensive discipline took center stage. On a hot, steamy night at Founders Field—after 90 grinding minutes—neither the undefeated division leaders Steel City FC nor the Riverhounds Two, seeking a critical mid-week bounce-back, could find a breakthrough.

Steel City FC (now 3-0-2, 11 points) entered the night sitting unblemished atop the Great Forest Division table following an explosive 3-0 weekend win over FC Buffalo, while Riverhounds 2 (1-1-3, 6 points) came looking to bridge the gap in the division race.

A Physical, Humid First Half Grind

The rematch of this summer’s local derby brought a starkly different tactical flavor than Steel City’s clinical 2-0 victory at the South Side turf back on May 27. Shifting to the thicker, slower natural grass of Founders Field on a muggy evening, the match quickly evolved into a heavily physical midfield battle where spaces were tight and clear looks at goal were hard to come by.

Refereeing staff had their hands full early as both clubs brought plenty of bite to the tackle to slow down transitional play. Steel City’s Ashwin Menon picked up an early yellow card in the 16th minute attempting to halt a quick Hounds counter.

Winger Jaxon Ervin joined him in the referee’s book right on the brink of halftime in the 45th minute as the physical toll of the heat began to show.

Neither side could carve out the opening breakthrough before the whistle, sending a tense, scoreless match into the locker rooms.

Heavy Substitutions as the Heat Takes a Toll

Looking to inject fresh legs into the attack and combat the suffocating humidity, Steel City’s coaching staff rang the changes immediately to start the second half. They executed a triple substitution at the 46-minute mark, introducing veteran defensive anchor Luke Fiscus alongside Carter Kopay and Mats Braemer.

Hounds 2 bench responded with an aggressive squad rotation of their own on the hour mark. The Hounds executed a triple swap in the 60th minute, inserting Caleb Borneo, Michael Lee, and Josh Hardin to try and stretch a tiring Steel City backline.

Both managers utilized nearly their entire benches as the half wore on. Steel City brought on the likes of Anass Hadran and John Bence, while the Hounds looked to late offensive spark plugs like Adrian Biaggi and Tyler Prex in the 79th minute.

Despite the tactical adjustments, both defensive units stood absolutely resolute under pressure. The physical edge remained sky-high all the way through the final whistle, culminating in a late 88th-minute yellow card to Steel City’s Jake Lane as the hosts extinguished the Hounds’ final overlapping runs.

While both teams feel they had moments to steal all three points, the draw keeps Steel City safely in the driver’s seat at the top of the Great Forest Division standings.

For Hounds 2, grinding out a clean sheet on the road against the division’s top offense provides a solid defensive foundation heading into the heart of the summer schedule.

Post Match Reaction:

Hounds Two Assistant Coach James Meara:  “It was a very warm night. We had more possession first half and created a few half chances. We’re the better team over the first half. Second half was more 50/50 but neither team created any clear cut chances.”

Look for more post match reaction to follow on Pittsburgh Soccer Now. 

Match Box Score & Personnel

Lineups and Action History

Steel City FC (3-0-2)

Starting XI

Cam Territo (#48), Joshua Lane (#41), Nicholas Niebauer (#37), Ashwin Menon (#24), Ryan Kopay (#23), Johan Nissen-Lie (#18), Mathieu Brick (#17), Nicholas Graeca (#10), Tayshaun Reid (#8), Jaxon Ervin (#7), John Catlett (#4)

  • Substitutions: Luke Fiscus for Reid (46′), Carter Kopay for Ervin (46′), Mats Braemer for Menon (46′), John Bence for Graeca (60′), Mathieu Brick for Niebauer (60′), Anass Hadran for Territo (63′), Sander Rynning for Brick (71′)

  • Discipline: Ashwin Menon (YC 16′), Jaxon Ervin (YC 45′), Jake Lane (YC 88′)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2 (1-1-3)

Starting XI

Brady Mcglone (#51), Maximilian Haberman (#50), Ashton Miles (#49), Anthony Samways (#42), Bennett Painter (#40), Nicholas Legendre (#37), Larsen Rogers (#35), Daniel Firek (#34), Peter Morano (#32), Aldair Flowers-Gamboa (#27), Warren Agostoni (#22)

  • Substitutions: Caleb Borneo for Agostoni (60′), Michael Lee for Flowers-Gamboa (60′), Josh Hardin for Samways (60′), Jj Vozar for Miles (67′), Adrian Biaggi for Firek (67′), Tyler Prex for Haberman (79′)

  • Discipline: Tyler Prex (90′)

Match Officials

  • Referees: Shevket Dzahparov, Quinn Stefaniak, Anthony Toskin, Nicholas Woten

Post Match Notes

  • This match served as the rematch of their May 27th clash at F.N.B. Stadium, where Steel City FC utilized its clinical frontline to escape the South Side turf with a dominant 2-0 road victory.
  • For what it’s worth, in three matches vs Riverhounds and Riverhounds Two this year, Steel City have an aggregate of 1W-1L-1D, with a goal differential of +1 (1-2, 2-0, 0-0).
  • Like the Riveters – Steel City FC Derby, the teams feature siblings who play for each club.  In this case, Tyler Prex (Riverhounds Two) and Nathan Prex (Steel City FC) are on the opposite sides, though it was a rare match for Steel City without the elder of the former Seneca Valley standouts, though Tyler did come on in the 79th minute for RH2.