The Riverhounds traveled to Connecticut on Friday for their first of three matchups with Hartford Athletic in the next month and came away with a significant victory that gave them sole possession of first place in Group F.
Behind goals from Ryan James and the “Connecticut Kid” Danny Griffin, the Riverhounds built an early 2-0 lead in the first half, scoring in the 11th and 22nd minutes. James, who took the captain’s armband from Kenardo Forbes in the early minutes of the game after he went down with an injury, added his second goal of the game in the second half to help the Riverhounds earn the 3-0 victory.
“We had some dangerous moments and we got better on the defensive side of the ball as the game went on,” Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley said. “It was opportune finishing early, and we got stronger as the game went on. It was good to see us manage the game. I think we managed the game well in the second half to limit their chances.”
Around the seven-minute mark, both teams came together in a circle at midfield in a protest against racial injustice that’s taken place over the past week. The players stood together for 1 minute, 46 seconds and then resumed play. Forbes had gone down with an injury shortly before the players came together.
United pic.twitter.com/bn0ZUCo2QI
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 28, 2020
Shortly after play resumed, the Riverhounds scored their first goal of the game. As a pass carried Ropapa Mensah towards the right sideline, he made a heel pass to an overlapping Ryan Dover, who then sent a cross in to Anthony Velarde. The Reedley, Calif. native settled the ball with his back to the net and found the acting captain streaking down the left wing. James finished it off with a strike to the right side-netting.
BRINGING THE HEAT ?. #UNLEASH #HFDvPIT pic.twitter.com/2txYpwGX8T
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 28, 2020
The Riverhounds scored their final goal of the game just after halftime in a skillful attack. After Mensah ripped a shot that rebounded to the right side, Dover delivered an arching cross over the box to James on the opposite side. James was ready and waiting to finish off the volley into the back of the net. It was his third goal of the season.
Friday’s matchup with Hartford Athletic was the first of three in the next month as the teams look to battle for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The black and gold controlled the match on Friday, winning the possession battle and tallying more shots on target.
Pittsburgh goalkeeper Tomas Gomez recorded three saves and picked up his third clean sheet of the season.
The next two matchups between Pittsburgh and Hartford will take place at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 12 and Sept. 26.
