Riverhounds notebook: Passing prowess has Pittsburgh piling up assists

With five games under their belt, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are slowly approaching the midway point of their shortened 2020 season.

Through the first part of the season, the Hounds have already suffered a two-game losing streak, they’ve seen players step into big roles, they’ve seen players break records, and they have also brought in new players to improve their play in certain areas of the field.

Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley met with the media Wednesday via Zoom to talk about a few different topics as his team prepares for its second contest of the year against New York Red Bulls II at 7 p.m. Saturday.

1. Pass happy

The Riverhounds are tied with the Phoenix Rising for a league-high 14 goals this season, but that’s not the only impressive statistic that describes their offensive ability. Of their 14 goals, the Riverhounds have tallied an assist on all but one of them.

Steevan Dos Santos’ second goal of the match on Saturday, a laser from 30 yards out, was the only goal this season on which the Riverhounds haven’t recorded an assist. Captain Kenardo Forbes has a league-high seven helpers, and four other players have also recorded assists.

The success they’ve had creating opportunities for others is something that Lilley has been happy to see.

“I think it’s a good sign that guys are identifying guys in dangerous spots,” Lilley said. “I think the runs are a little bit better, and guys are freeing themselves up in the box, and I think it’s always nice to give guys credit.”

Although he’s been happy to see his players play create opportunities for each other, Lilley would also like to see his guys taking advantage of other opportunities in the box in order to get those unassisted goals.

“I want us to be active picking up a loose ball in the box or forcing a mistake by the other team,” Lilley said. “I’d even like to see other teams have own goals just because we make such a good run, they stick it in their own goal. So, it’s an interesting stat and hopefully we can continue to find each other. But we’ll take goals however we can get them.”

2. A familiar face

Pittsburgh announced the signing of former defender Ray Lee on Wednesday before the media session took place. Lee, who played for the Riverhounds in 2018, played for Hartford Athletic last season, and all 30 of his appearances were starts. His 2,663 minutes were also the second-highest for the club.

This will be the 27-year-old’s third stint under Lilley, and during his 2018 run with the black and gold, he started 24 of the 28 games he played in. He also tallied 60 tackles and 60 clearances defensively during that season.

Because of his experience in Lilley’s system, the longtime coach believes that Lee may have an opportunity to contribute right away.

“He can play as a left back, a wing back, or even potentially a center back in a three center back system,” Lilley said. “So, he gives us a little flexibility and he allows us to even look at Ryan James in some different spots. It gives us cover, it gives us experience, and it gives us someone that already knows the system. I think it gives us a good piece with how thin we’ve been. It will take him a little bit of time to get to his top level, but Ray is a pretty good athlete and he keeps himself fit, so I know he’ll help us sooner rather than later.”

3. King Kenny

Heading into this season, Forbes was approaching the USL Championship all-time career assists record. After tallying seven in Pittsburgh’s first five games, the Kingston, Jamaica native has overtaken Maikel Chang for the all-time lead with 38 assists.

Forbes broke the record Saturday against Philadelphia Union II when he delivered a corner kick to the back post that found the head of Tommy Vancaeyezeele in the 35th minute. Forbes has played for Lilley during numerous parts of his career, and the longtime coach mentioned how important of a player Forbes could be to any team, including his own.

“Kenny is not only very critical to us, but he’s also one of the best players in the league,” Lilley said. “He’s had a good start to the season statistically and were hoping he continues to have the hot hand. But our main focus is on the team getting better and working on the things we need to get better every week.”

The 5-foot-10 center midfielder tied the record earlier in the game when he received a ball near the right corner and sent a cross into the middle that found the head of Dos Santos.

4. The emergence of a young star

Danny Griffin caught the eye of his coach last Saturday when he made a brilliant pass to Forbes on the right side of the field that contributed to Dos Santos’ first goal of the game.

It wasn’t a play that would wind up in the stat book, but it was a play that Lilley will remember.

“That ball by any player, even at high, high levels, it wasn’t a simple split ball,” Lilley said. “Most of the time, from that distance, you have to really feel the defender starting to cheat to the run. You have to disguise the pass or the defender cuts it out. Then the weight on that ball for Kenny to chase down was one of the better balls I’ve seen, not only this year but the three years I’ve been here.”

Throughout the beginning of the year, Griffin has settled in the midfield alongside Forbes and Upper St. Clair native Robbie Mertz. He’s tallied one goal, two assists and three shots while also creating three chances.

Although the Providence College alum is only in his first USL Championship season, he’s starting to have an impact on the Riverhounds and the success they have.

“He’s still learning what it takes, but he’s honest, he works hard and defensively, we’re still cleaning some stuff up,” Lilley said. “But he runs out of the midfield, and he’s pretty capable off the dribble, he makes good runs out of the midfield, and he’s competing well.”