[[LIVE SPORT###]<<] Today: Pittsburgh Riverhounds VS Tampa Bay Rowdies live watch 5 August 2023
A Work of Arturo: Riverhounds hold off Phoenix Rising FC, 1-0, for sixth straight victory | Pittsburgh Soccer NowPhoto courtesy Mark GoodmanPITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC faced many challenges from Phoenix Rising FC Saturday night, but held on for the 1-0 victory at Highmark Stadium. The win for the Riverhounds (6-2-5) is their fourth straight in the USL Championship, sixth straight in all competitions and makes it nine straight games undefeated since late April. It is also the third straight clean sheet for the Riverhounds in all competitions, back-to-back in the USL Championship and seventh of the season.
The Rowdies also have to games in hand on Pittsburgh and one in hand on second place Charleston, an advantage they’ll hope to exploit in the final push for playoffs. “Every game we play is going to be tough, ” said Rowdies defender Conner Antley. “Saturday is definitely a game we look at and think Pittsburgh are sitting in a spot we want to be in right now, which is top of the table, so 3 points would be a big deal.
He didn’t like that his team didn’t go for the second goal when they went up early, but that the rotations of so many players is a large task for his squad. “We defended well in our own box, that’s about the extent of it, ” Lilley said. “It’s too easy. They played through us, they dribbled through us. We weren’t able to hold the ball in higher areas and make them defend…I’m proud of the determination to keep them off the board when we we’re backed up on our own goal line, but overall, there’s a lot we can do defensively better higher up the pitch and in the middle third and even how we organize out of the back.
This win also puts them into second place in the Eastern Conference, overtaking Louisville City FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Riverhounds took the lead in the 22nd minute off an incredibly worked set piece. Midfielder Kenardo Forbes put in a perfect ball, which defender Arturo Ordoñez headed into the back of the net to give his side the opening goal. Taking flight! ✈️@OrdonezOsuna's header gives @RiverhoundsSC the lead! #PITvPHX pic. twitter. com/Q5msQpVBwB — USL Championship (@USLChampionship) June 3, 2023 The goal for Orodoñez is his third this season, with all three coming off set pieces in the past three USL Championship matches.
” Highmark Advantage Pittsburgh’s Highmark Stadium has proven to be one of the toughest places for a visiting team to pick up points. Tampa Bay managed to pull off a throughout 5-2 win in Pittsburgh last year, which was their first victory in ten trips to Highmark. Prior to last year, the Rowdies hand come away with three losses and six draws in Pittsburgh. This year, Pittsburgh has only been on the losing end of a result at home once.
Ordoñez said that the game was a tough one, but that overall, the Riverhounds were strong in the box and dominated in aerial challenges. He also spoke on his preparation in the offseason to attack balls better in the box, which has led to his scoring streak this season. “I was looking at Kenny [Forbes] and he was kind of telling me to go to the near post, ” Orodoñez said on the goal. “I knew that defender, because I scored at that near post against Las Vegas, he was cheating the first corner kick. So, I made a move, then I just dropped him and I was free and I could jump. The guy was kind of cheating and anticipating that I would go to the near post, so then I faked that I was going to go and I went around him and I got free and I jumped over him.
Match Preview: Rowdies at Pittsburgh - Tampa Bay RowdiesMatchday 22 Info:Tampa Bay Rowdies at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SCSaturday, August 5, 7 p. m. ETHighmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA Watch Party: Join the office Rowdies Watch Party at Whiskey Wings in Oldsmar. Watch Party specials include $13. 99 Bu & Bud Light Buckets and $20 NUTRL Buckets. Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+ The Tampa Bay Rowdies hit the road this Saturday for a showdown with the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference leader, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. With only three points separating the Rowdies from Pittsburgh in the standings race, Saturday’s match at Highmark Stadium could have a crucial impact on seeding when the playoffs role around. “At any point of the year going to Pittsburgh is tough, ” said Rowdies Head Coach Nicky Law.
One chance came in the 53rd minute, when defender Edwin Munjoma cut inside and put a hard shot on goal. Pittsburgh goalkeeper Jahmali Waite stood strong and used his right glove to palm away the dangerous chance. Jahmali showing the reflexes on a shot with some pop! #PITvPHX #HOUNDTAHN pic. com/bli8tspmZy — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) June 4, 2023 Phoenix almost scored a goal in the 61st minute, as Waite missed the punch on a cross and Lambert headed it towards goal. Ordoñez got to the ball to head it away for a goal line clearance to keep Phoenix scoreless.
“…Saturday’s match is as tough as it gets really, but it’s one that we’re all really looking forward to as a team and as a staff. It’s a really good challenge with two teams close together in the table. We know what a win could do for us and I’m sure they know what a win could do for them as well so there’s a lot to look forward to. ”Saturday is the first of two regular-season clashes between the Rowdies and Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh is a team that we really respect, ” said Antley. “They have a really good coach and they have really good players that play a tough, hard-nose style of football. Last year’s game was great for us. There’s not many times team’s can say they go up to Pittsburgh and get a result like that, but we know not every two games are the same. We’re going to go up there with the same mentality as last year of trying to get a result and doing the best we can. All we can really do is focus on us and what we can control.