Hounds Stay Unbeaten at Home, Tie Louisville, 0-0
September 7, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (13-4-9) played to a 0-0 draw with Louisville City FC (12-7-8) on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Steevan Dos Santos paced Pittsburgh's attack with three shots on target. The draw extended Pittsburgh's home regular season unbeaten streak to 22 games.
First Half
The match started slowly, with both sides unable to build any momentum on their attacking end of the field. Neither team managed to record a shot on goal in the first 20 minutes of the match.
A foul just outside the penalty area in the 31st minute gave the Black and Gold their first dangerous scoring opportunity. Kenardo Forbes took the ensuing free kick, but the midfielder fired the chance directly into Louisville's wall of defenders.
Louisville goalkeeper Chris Hubbard denied a left-footed effort from Dos Santos in the 35th minute to keep the score knotted at 0-0.
Pittsburgh nearly potted a goal in the 43rd minute off of a header from Kevin Kerr. A cross from Neco Brett connected with a charging Kerr, but Hubbard once again shut down the opportunity.
The score remained tied at the end of the first half. The Hounds held Louisville without a shot on target in the first 45 minutes of play.
Second Half
The beginning of the second half looked much like the start of the first, without much offensive action.
Louisville nearly got on the scoreboard in the 64th minute but couldn't beat Kyle Morton. The goalkeeper stoned a blast from defender Oscar Jimenez from the center of the penalty area to hold the tie.
The Hounds nearly went ahead in stoppage time, however a hard effort in the penalty box was blocked aside by Magnus Rasmussen's left foot to preserve the 0-0 draw.
Hound of the Match
Kyle Morton earned his eighth clean sheet of the year on Saturday. The goalkeeper finished the night with one save, but the stop came on a dangerous Louisville chance in the second half.
Stat of the Game: 203
Riverhounds SC has not allowed a goal at Highmark Stadium in the last 203 minutes of play.
What's Next:
The Hounds will be back at home next weekend, hosting the Charleston Battery at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Highmark Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC - Kyle Morton, Ryan James, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Jordan Dover, Kenardo Forbes, Mouhamed Dabo, Robbie Mertz (Anthony Velarde 62'), Kevin Kerr (Dani Rovira 84'), Steevan Dos Santos (Christian Volesky 83'), Neco Brett
Subs not used: Austin Pack, Noah Franke, Sammy Kahsai, Uchenna Uzo
Louisville City FC - Chris Hubbard, Taylor Peay, Alexis Souahy, Sean Totsch, Pat McMahon, Magnus Rasmussen, Oscar Jimenez, Napo Matsoso, Abdou Mbacke Thiam (George Davis IV 74'), Antoine Hoppenot, Luke Spencer (Rich Ballard 82')
Subs not used: Tim Dobrowolski, Geoff Dee, Sunny Jane, Akil Watts, Elijah Wynder
Misconduct Summary:
LOU - Alexis Souahy 31' (Caution)
PIT - Jordan Dover 33' (Caution)
Quotes
Head coach Bob Lilley
On his initial reaction to the draw...
"With the chances we created in the first half, had we come out and played a better game of soccer in the second half, I think those chances would've continued. We could've found something and gotten the three points."
On the impact of not having Thomas Vancaeyezeele in the lineup...
"We weren't short one or two players, we were off the mark. It's disappointing. I think this was very similar to the Loudoun game. I have to look at why in the last two home games are we just kicking the ball forward and letting the spaces become gigantic."
On Louisville's efforts...
"They're experienced, they stretch the field and we didn't have the patience to keep the ball. We could've dictated the game. I think we may have played at 60 percent of our capacity tonight. We were fortunate to get out with a draw."
Goalkeeper Kyle Morton
On his save...
"Yeah, that's the toughest thing about being a goalkeeper, for 60 minutes you don't really get any saves or anything, then all of a sudden you get a shot from eight yards away. You just have to be ready for it."
On his save...
"Yeah, it's tough. I thought we were outplayed for the second half. The first 30 minutes of it and then we kind of got back in the game. At least we got the draw."
On his team playing defensive...
"Not really thinking too much at that point, just trying to get everyone organized and in the right spots. It's not my job to keep the ball in midfield, it's my job to organize the defense and midfielders so we're in the right spots. I thought we did a really good job, blocked a couple of shots in the box. I think we just have to improve. I thought the first half we had the ball and had some chances, and the second half we kind of let our foot off the gas. I think they could have punished us."
On the defensive effort/tackles...
"Yeah, it was fantastic. The back four played probably, for me, maybe Ottawa number one and this one number two. Joe made a couple of big plays, Dabo had a really good block, Tobi had a really good block that I remember. I'm sure I'm missing some but they had a really good game."
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