Riverhounds look to get back on track against New York Red Bulls II
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The Pittsburgh Riverhounds suffered a disappointing ending to their regular-season home unbeaten streak Wednesday when Indy Eleven’s Tyler Pasher delivered a left-footed strike in the final moments to secure a 1-0 win.
The black and gold were 14-0-11 in their past 25 regular-season games at Highmark Stadium heading into their 2020 home opener. Now, the Hounds are just anxious to get back on the pitch and into the win column.
“I think it’s mostly just having the right mentality, especially in the manner that we lost,” Riverhounds midfielder Jordan Dover said. “I was speaking to a few guys and they, me included, it was tough for us to sleep that night. We are just itching for another opportunity to play again because that loss is kind of lingering.”
The Riverhounds (2-1) will get that opportunity at 5 p.m. Sunday when they head to New Jersey to take on the New York Red Bulls II (1-2), who beat Philadelphia Union II, 5-1, on Wednesday. The Riverhounds beat Philadelphia, 6-0, last Saturday.
Although Wednesday was the first time the Red Bulls scored this season, they typically feature a prolific attack. They finished with the third-most goals (74) in the USL Championship last year behind Phoenix Rising FC (90) and Real Monarchs SLC (84).
Heading into Sunday’s contest at MSU Soccer Park, Dover said the Riverhounds are looking to slow the Red Bulls down as much as they can.
“They are always going to be dangerous, especially offensively when they get into the attack,” Dover said. “They always throw a lot of numbers forward and they can turn a game on its head quickly. They are very dynamic and explosive so I think the main thing for us will just to make sure we are organized, we aren’t turning the ball over in bad areas and making sure we slow down their attack. If we can do that, I think it gives us a good chance to win the game.”
Taking advantage of their possession is another thing the Riverhounds will look to improve on this weekend. Dover admitted the Hounds got a little antsy Wednesday as they were pressing for the go-ahead goal.
The Riverhounds had a lot of the possession in the second half, but they were forcing long balls and crosses that weren’t coming from great areas. Looking back, Dover said they should have worked the ball around more and capitalized on a better opportunity.
“I think it’s a key for us not to get frustrated in games like those and just keep trying to break teams down and not go for those hero balls or try to play those miracle balls to break teams down,” Dover said. “We just have to work the ball and make sure we are doing things the right way.”
The Riverhounds have received balanced production this season. Seven players have scored, and Steevan Dos Santos and Anthony Velarde lead the team with two goals apiece. But Sunday, expect Dover and Ryan James to get involved in the offense a little more and put more pressure on teams.
“Me and Ryan naturally find opportunities to get forward, and I think that comes with our patience and our build-up play,” Dover said. “If we’re passing the ball and moving the ball well and we are sure that we have 100% possession, then me and Ryan are going to feel free to get forward without worrying about the risk of turning the ball over.”