Riverhounds beat New York, move into 1st place

Russell Cicerone and Albert Dikwa scored about 10 minutes apart in the second half, leading the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls II on Friday night in Montclair, N.J.

With the win, the Riverhounds (8-4-3) moved into first place in the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division, three points clear of Tampa Bay.

Riverhounds captain Kenardo Forbes assisted on Cicerone’s goal and on Alex Dixon’s score in the first half, giving him a team-record 29 for his career and moving him into sole possession of first place on the franchise’s all-time assist list, two ahead of Kevin Kerr.

New York (3-7-4) saw a three-game unbeaten streak come to an end.

The Riverhounds took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Forbes made a lunging pass ahead to Dixon, who made his way up the right side, beat a defender one on one and scored with a left-footed shot for his second goal of the year.

New York tied the score before the first half ended. Jake LaCava made a slick pass to spring Omar Sowe in behind the defense for a goal.

The Riverhounds took control of the game shortly after halftime. First,

Forbes corralled a deflected ball and passed to Cicerone at the top of the box. He angled around the charging goalkeeper and scored his team-best seventh goal of the year in the 52nd minute.

Dixon set up the Riverhounds’ third goal, moving up the right wing and centering to Dikwa for his second goal of the season in the 62nd minute.

The Riverhounds return home to host Hartford Athletic (6-3-2) on Saturday, July 31.