May 9, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC scored its biggest cup win in more than two decades, going on the road to defeat the New England Revolution of MLS, 1-0, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 32 tonight at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Connecticut native Danny Griffin scored the match’s only goal in the 44th minute, and the resolute Hounds were able to hold off the MLS Eastern Conference leaders to advance to the Round of 16 on May 23-24.
It was only the second win for the Hounds against an MLS team, with the last coming in 2001 at home against the Colorado Rapids. Despite being heavy underdogs – +550 according to FanDuel – the Hounds shut out their MLS opponents to improve to 2-6 all-time vs. the MLS.
First half
The Hounds signaled from the opening whistle they weren’t going to sit back and defend, as Marc Ybarra stung a low shot on goal and forced a save by Earl Edwards Jr. just 28 seconds into the match.
The Revolution posed plenty of threats of their own, and former U.S. international Jozy Altidore had an early chance in the box blocked away by the Hounds’ Mike DeShields.
The game hit a major flashpoint in the 27th minute when New England’s Latif Blessing, who was previously booked, lunged into a studs-first tackle over the ball against Joe Farrell. A foul was given, but no card was shown to Blessing, keeping both sides at 11 players.
Chances remained even for much of the half, but with two minutes until halftime, Ybarra weighted a low pass perfectly between the Revolution center backs to play Griffin through. The midfielder, in only his second game back with the Hounds after a transfer deal last week, scored with a low shot to put the Hounds in front.
Second half
Neither team made a change at halftime, but Revolution coach Bruce Arena tried to tip the scales in his team’s favor in the 63rd minute by introducing four substitutions – a quartet that included former MLS MVP Carles Gil.
Gil’s creativity paid dividends, and the Revolution looked more dangerous, never more than in the 77th minute when he threaded a diagonal pass through to Altidore, only to have the shot fired over the crossbar.
The Hounds defense swarmed back to defend but did well to alleviate pressure by winning fouls and finding outlets. A pair of 3-on-2 chances in the late moments could have allowed the Hounds to put the game away, but a turnover and a shot wide by Arturo Ordóñez in…