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USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Hounds Melt Steel FC, 4-1

September 7, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


PITTSBURGH (Sept. 7, 2018) - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (13-4-10) defeated Bethlehem Steel FC (12-12-6), 4-1, on Friday at Highmark Stadium.

A wide array of Hounds chipped in on the offensive end, as six different players registered a point. Joe Greenspan, Kenardo Forbes, Neco Brett and Jordan Dover provided the scoring for the squad in its second game of at least four tallies posted this season (Toronto FC II on April 7).

How It Happened

The Hounds put the game away in the 76th minute.

Already up 2-1, Neco Brett saw an opportunity to increase the team's lead. From the top of the 18-yard box, the striker sent a left-footed shot by Bethlehem goalkeeper John McCarthy for the squad's third goal of the match.

Not to be outdone, wingbacks Ray Lee and Jordan Dover connected just three minutes later. As Lee sprinted into the penalty box and sent a looping cross across the goalmouth, Dover sprinted toward the net and booted in a right-footed shot from close range.

Once the final whistle blew, Pittsburgh outshot Bethlehem, 24-6, and placed 10 shots on goal to Steel FC's two takes on frame.

In the midst of an also high-scoring first half, the Hounds struck first.

Being awarded a free kick at the edge of the team's attacking third, midfielder Ben Zemanski launched a ball into the penalty area that connected with the head of defender Joe Greenspan to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 advantage in the 17th minute.

Bethlehem would later find its answer via the penalty spot in the 35th minute. Following a foul by Greenspan inside the penalty area, James Chambers stepped up and beat Pittsburgh goalkeeper Mike Kirk to the bottom left-hand corner to knot the score at 1-1.

After this conversion, Kenardo Forbes soon put the Hounds back on top in the 45th minute. Receiving a feed from Brett, Forbes blasted a shot from about 25 yards out into the upper-90 of the far post, giving the Black and Gold a 2-1 lead at the half.

Man of the Match

Recording his second goal of the season, Kenardo Forbes also led the squad with five chances created.

Stat of the Game

The Hounds set a single-game season high with 24 total shots.

Beyond the Box Score

James Chambers' goal marks the first time an opposing team has scored in the first half at Highmark Stadium this season.

In addition to notching his second assist this season, Ben Zemanski also led the squad with three good crosses.

Defender Tobi Adewole led the squad with four tackles and eight clearances.

Pittsburgh goes undefeated (2-0-0) against Bethlehem for the first time in club history since Steel FC joined the USL in 2016.What's Next

Riverhounds SC will stay home to clash with reigning USL-champion Louisville City FC (13-5-8) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds won their first meeting, 1-0, on June 27 at Slugger Field.

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC - Mike Kirk - Ray Lee, Tobi Adewole, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Joe Greenspan, Jordan Dover - Ben Zemanski (Joe Holland 82'), Mouhamed Dabo - Kenardo Forbes, Romeo Parkes (Noah Franke 75') - Neco Brett (Kay Banjo 82')

Subs not used: Nathan Ingham, Ben Fitzpatrick, Andrew Lubahn, Hugh Roberts

Bethlehem Steel FC - John McCarthy - Prosper Chiluya, Brandon Aubrey, Matt Mahoney, Olivier Mbaizo - James Chambers, Drew Skundrich - Brenden Aaronson (Chris Nanco 78'), Marcus Epps (Santi Moar 61'), Michee, Ngalina - Faris Moumbagna (Aidan Apodaca 61')

Subs not used: Tomas Romera, A.J. Paterson, Ben Ofeimu

Scoring Summary:

PGH - Joe Greenspan 17' (Ben Zemanski)

BST - James Chambers 35' (penalty)

PGH - Kenardo Forbes 45' (Neco Brett)

PGH - Neco Brett 76'

PGH - Jordan Dover 79' (Ray Lee)

Misconduct Summary:

PGH - Mouhamed Dabo 55' (caution)

BST - Brandon Aubrey 90' (caution)

Quote Sheet

Head coach Bob Lilley

On the team's second goal before the half...

"We had some good attacking moments. Fortunate to get the goal before half. Fortunate, I think, we got the second goal."

On the openness of the match...

"We had good moments in the game where we looked dynamic, but frankly even at 2-1 up we were open. Had they came back and tied us again, we could have been in trouble."

On the Bethlehem's attack...

"They had a lot of balls in space in the second half where had they been a little more clinical we would have been picked off a few times more in the second half."

Midfielder Kenardo Forbes

On the win...

"It's a big win for the group. We went four matches, drew three, lost one. It's a big result at home."

On his goal...

"I saw that they gave me a lot of space and I didn't see a pass immediately, so I decided to shoot, and luckily it went in."

On Neco Brett's assist...

"I kept calling to him the whole time. I said, 'Neco wait, wait for me.' He did and luckily he passed it to me, and we got a goal."

Defender Jordan Dover

On his goal...

"I saw him bursting down the left a bit earlier and I was screaming at him from about 40 yards out, asking for him to give me the ball. I saw him keep going, he was still going, and then the back post opened up for me and he found me. It's good to connect with him."

On Kenardo Forbes...

"Playing with Kenny is one of the easiest things I've ever done. It's give him the ball and pretty much run forward. It's just waiting for the ball to appear in front of my feet. It's always nice playing with him. His vision is amazing."

On the win...

"We've been performing fairly well over these past few games. It's just things haven't quite gone our way. I think we've been a little bit unlucky, so it's finally nice to be rewarded for another good performance."

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