Griffin's Early Goal Keeps Hounds Perfect at Home
May 7, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC made an early lead stand up to remain perfect at home this season, as Danny Griffin's goal gave the Hounds a 1-0 win over Birmingham Legion FC tonight at Highmark Stadium.
Griffin, the Hounds' midfield workhorse and minutes leader, scored his first goal of the season just four minutes into the game, finishing on the third assist of the season from defender Nate Dossantos. The Hounds (6-2-1) continued to press for more goals, outshooting the Legion (3-4-3), 18-10, and holding 57 percent of possession.
The Legion were held without a shot on goal in the match, allowing goalkeeper Kevin Silva to record his second shutout of the season without a save.
First half
Things got started quickly when Griffin got himself in the right place for an early finish, as he made a run to the center of the box to receive Dossantos' low cross from the left.
Griffin took the pass and turned away from goal and the defense before slotting a low shot into the net. It would be the only shot to beat Legion goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel, who made seven saves.
Some of those saves were of the highlight variety, none more than his reflexive stop to get a hand raised to deny Albert Dikwa at point-blank range in the 31st minute.
Second half
The Hounds continued to have the better of play in what head coach Bob Lilley termed his team's best performance of the season.
Russell Cicerone nearly doubled the lead after forcing a turnover in the 59th minute, but Van Oekel cut down his angle on the left side of goal to make the stop.
The Hounds finally went to their bench in the 78th minute, bringing on four new players, and the fresh legs got the team to the finish line. Silva did well to come off his line and collect a few late, long balls forward, and the Hounds almost had a two-on-none break toward goal in the final minute, but Dikwa's clearing pass struck the referee, ending the chance.
Hounds Man of the Match
Danny Griffin finds himself in this space often for his defensive work, but today he also provided the game's sole offensive breakthrough, as well. He remained just as involved with involved with four shots, 19 passes in the final third of the field and winning possession nine times during the match.
What's next?
The Hounds have back-to-back league home games for the first time all season, and they will host a first-time opponent out of the Western Conference, El Paso Locomotive (3-5-1). That game is a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, May 14 at Highmark Stadium.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 7, 2022
- FC Tulsa Wins 3-1 Over Detroit City FC - FC Tulsa
- Greg Hurst Scores Twice, Leads Rising to 3-0 Win vs. San Antonio - Phoenix Rising FC
- San Antonio FC Falls 0-3 at Phoenix Rising FC - San Antonio FC
- Hurst Scores Twice in 3-0 Win vs. San Antonio - Phoenix Rising FC
- El Paso Locomotive FC Spiral LA Galaxy II, 4-0 - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Roots Grab a Point Deep in Stoppage Time in Orange County - Oakland Roots
- Las Vegas Fight a Tight Battle on the Road against Monterey Bay FC - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Detroit City FC Men Fall for the First Time Since March to FC Tulsa - Detroit City FC
- New Mexico United Earn Draw with Epic Stoppage Time Equalizer - New Mexico United
- Griffin's Early Goal Keeps Hounds Perfect at Home - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Hounds Stay Perfect at Home with 1-0 Win over Birmingham - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Detroit City FC Women Draw with Kalamazoo FC 1-1 in Home Opener - Detroit City FC
- Legion FC Falls to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1-0 - Birmingham Legion FC
- Johnson's Goal, Strong Defense Earn Hartford First Win - Hartford Athletic
- Loudoun United FC Fall 1-0 to Hartford Athletic - Loudoun United FC
- Inside the Match: New York Red Bulls II vs. Sacramento Republic FC - New York Red Bulls II
- USL W League Recap: Indy Eleven 3 : 1 Kings Hammer FC - Indy Eleven
- Game Day: Hounds vs. Birmingham Legion FC - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
