September 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC moved closer to securing its fifth consecutive playoff berth after holding on for a 2-1 win over Loudoun United FC tonight at Segra Field in Leesburg, Va.
Russell Cicerone and Edward Kizza scored for the Hounds (15-7-6), who have now won four straight road games and moved back into the top four in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
Loudoun (7-17-3) got a late goal at the penalty spot from Jonathan Benteke, as the veteran of the Belgian Pro League and Premier League made his debut in the United States.
First half
The Hounds took some time to grow into the game on a heavy field, and the team got its first two shots from corner kicks in the early stages, including a header on goal by Danny Griffin.
Cicerone then opened the scoring in the 26th minute after the Hounds’ press forced Loudoun to clear the ball wildly. Mekeil Williams won the header just inside the Loudoun half, putting the ball to the feet of Kenardo Forbes. Forbes then fed Albert Dikwa, who slipped a ball behind the defense for Cicerone to finish inside the near post for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.
Despite having just 46 percent of the ball in the first half, the Hounds limited Loudoun to just two shots (one on goal).
Second half
Dikwa nearly got things going shortly after the break, but his header from a Robbie Mertz free kick was met by one of four saves by Loudoun goalkeeper Luis Zamudio.
The hosts had their best chance to tie the game in the 58th minute, when Tyler Freeman shot through traffic from distance and forced one of two saves by Jahmali Waite in the Hounds goal. Jacob Greene got on the rebound, but the Loudoun midfield put the second effort over the bar.
The Hounds doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Kizza made a strong near-post run to head in a cross by defender Shane Wiedt, who got forward with an overlapping run on the right. The goal was the first with the Hounds and in the USL Championship for Kizza, who is on loan from the New England Revolution of MLS.
Loudoun got their goal in the 89th minute after Benteke won a foul trying to get around Arturo Ordóñez in the box. The Belgian finished into the left side of the net for a goal on his debut with Loudoun, but the Hounds were able to see out stoppage time allowing only one more shot – a last-ditch header by goalkeeper Zamudio, who was pressed forward for the final play.
Hounds…