Pittsburgh Riverhounds score 2 early goals to take down Loudoun United

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds got back in the win column Wednesday as they took down Group F opponent Loudoun United FC, 2-0.

“I think Loudoun showed they have the ability to be a dangerous team,” Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley said. “We did better as the game went on. We got two pretty good goals early and that certainly helped. It wasn’t an artistic game, but we were able to rest some guys and rotate the squad. It’s a good road win. I think we did a good job of coming into a difficult game and coming out with our three points.”

Seven minutes into the game, midfielder Dani Rovira received a pass around the midfield mark and delivered a beautiful pass over Loudoun’s defenders to find forward Steevan Dos Santos on the other side. The 6-foot-4 Cape Verde native one-touched the ball into the back of the net with a shot in between the goalkeeper’s legs.

It was Dos Santos’ fifth goal of the season, but first against a team other than Philadelphia United II.

Working that long-distance connection. ? #UNLEASH #LDNvPIT pic.twitter.com/Q9OsgoELXT

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 19, 2020

The Riverhounds struck again four minutes later when Robbie Mertz received a pass down the right wing and delivered a pass toward the near post that found Lukas Fernandes ready and waiting for his second goal of the season. It was also Fernandes’ second professional goal.

More goals for your viewing pleasure. #UNLEASH #LDNvPIT pic.twitter.com/LJCtg3gBL5

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 19, 2020

Although the Riverhounds came out with a victory, Loudoun created several chances throughout the game, registering 10 shots and three on target. Forward Alioune Ndour was a problem for the visitors all night long as he tallied two of Loudoun’s three shots on target and slipped in behind the Riverhounds defense multiple times.

One of his closest opportunities came in the 26th minute as he received a through ball that left him one on one with Pittsburgh’s Danny Vitiello. When Ndour tried to chip a shot over Vitiello’s head, the Massapequa, N.Y. native made an easy stop for one of his three saves in his second start of the season.

*Insert Mutombo finger wag*#UNLEASH #LDNvPIT pic.twitter.com/Y6G0suHPBx

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 19, 2020

Playing their second game since Saturday, the Riverhounds opted to try to rest some of their players ahead of a matchup with St. Louis on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. Fernandes, Anthony Velarde, Dani Rovira, Dakota Barnathan and Mark Lindstrom all received starts on Wednesday in place of normal starters. The Riverhounds did use all five of their substitutions, so regular starters did still receive minutes at Segra Field.