Riverhounds blank Loudoun United FC
Pittsburgh won’t qualify for the knockout stage of the Prinx Tires USL Cup, but the Riverhounds finished group play with a victory following a 2-0 triumph over Loudoun United FC on Saturday at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Trevor Amann converted on a penalty in the first half, and Albert Dikwa added an insurance goal in the second half to finish at 2-0-2 in Group 6.
The Hounds earned a 3-0 victory over USL League One (USL1) opponent Greenville Triumph SC to open group play on April 25 before back-to-back draws against Charlotte Independence of the USL1 and USL Championship (USLC) foe Charleston Battery on May 15 and June 6. Charleston and Charlotte picked up the extra point in each match following a 4-2 edge in penalties. Pittsburgh finished group play with eight points.
The Independence and Battery played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday, but the USL1 squad won the group with a 4-2 advantage in penalties. Charlotte won the group with 10 points, and advanced to the knockout round, which will be contested on Aug. 13. Charleston didn’t qualify for the one wild-card spot in the knockout round.
Amann earned his opportunity in the 19th minute after he was tripped by Loudoun defender Salvatore Mazzaferro inside the penalty area.
Amann converted into the left side of the net for his first goal across all competitions this season.
Amann’s tally was the only goal needed, as the Pittsburgh backline protected keeper Mitch Budler, who made three saves for his first professional clean sheet.
Charles Ahl assisted on Dikwa’s goal in the 66th minute. Ahl sent a cross from the left side, which carried out of the reach of the Loudoun’s defenders and keeper, and the ball dropped onto Dikwa’s right foot. The striker finished at the back post for his seventh overall goal this year.
Dikwa nearly scored four minutes into the match, as his shot near the penalty area struck the woodwork. Jorge Garcia provided the pass to Dikwa.
Amann believed he had a brace just before halftime, but he was just offside by mere inches.
Ahl had an outswinging volley from 20 yards curl just wide of the top corner of the goal.
The Hounds’ Jackson Walti was named the Modelo Man of the Match after playing all 90 minutes. He won 10 of 14 duels and 4 of 5 tackles. Walti led Pittsburgh with 92 touches and connected on a team-high 62 of 72 pass attempts.
The Hounds return to USL Championship play on Wednesday against expansion club Sporting Jacksonville (0-11-4) at 7 p.m. The match will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.
Pittsburgh, who sits sixth in Group A with 20 points. The Hounds have a record of 6-5 with two draws. The top eight teams in each group qualify for the USL Championship playoffs.