BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – All good things must come to an end.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds snapped Detroit City FC’s win-streak at six games to open the 2024 campaign, shutting down the visiting Le Rouge 2-0 in a USL-Championship contest Saturday at Highmark Stadium near downtown Pittsburgh.
The Riverhounds notched their third clean sheet of the season while holding the high-power Detroit City FC offense off the scoreboard for the first time this season. Detroit City FC came into the match averaging 1.84 goals per match and was coming off the heels of a 3-1 victory over Oakland Roots FC.
The LeRouge (6-1-0, 5-1-0) has outscored the opposition 11-6 this season with two shutouts, but this was the first time Detroit City FC was blanked since last season. Pittsburgh also became the first team to score more than one goal on the DCFC defensive unit.
Patrick Hogan scored what proved to be the game winner in the 20th minute. Following Kenardo Forbes’ cornerkick into the box, Robbie Mertz was able to control the ball and flick it over to an unmarked Hogan, who buried his close-range shot for a 1-0 Riverhounds advantage.
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Pittsburgh (2-3-2, 2-3-2) was able to convert in the 35th minute after Junior Etou split three defenders and carried the ball into the box before being taken down by Detroit City FC back Darren Amoo-Mensah. Moments later Danny Griffin banged home his penalty shot to give his side a two-goal advantage at the half.
The Le Rouge finally had a scoring chance in the 56th minute when Maxi Rodriguez’s header sailed right into the arms of Pittsburgh goalkeeper Eric Dick, who made the stop and went on to post his third shutout of the season in four appearances.
Detroit City FC goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher made just one save on the night, as the LeRouge tasted defeat for the first time since last fall. Detroit City FC has now conceded six goals over seven games and have a 0.86 team goals-against-average.
The Riverhounds outshot Detroit City FC 10-6 on the night, including 3-1 with shots on frame. Pittsburgh also held a 7-1 advantage on cornerkicks, while the Le Rouge held a 53-47 edge on possession. Detroit City FC also drew five yellow cards in the match and even saw Stephen Carroll sent off in the 96th minute of stoppage time. Pittsburgh collected four cautions.
With the loss, DCFC slipped into third place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points. The Riverhounds moved up to eight points and into seventh place in the 12-team conference.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)Â
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