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Goal Breakdown: North Carolina - 7/20

By Anthony Picardi, 07/22/19, 9:30AM EDT

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It just took one this past Saturday at Highmark Stadium for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (7-3-8) to earn three points against North Carolina FC (9-4-8). In the team’s 1-0 win, Robbie Mertz found the back of the net in the first half. Here’s how the rookie registered his fifth goal of the season.

27' – Robbie Mertz assisted by Neco Brett

Tracking down a ball booted into the 18-yard box, Neco Brett obtained possession with a couple North Carolina defenders zeroing in on him.

Due to the pressure, Brett (yellow arrow) is forced to stop his chance of a run at the net. Although his progress is halted, he spots an open Mertz (green arrow) bolting down the field.

As the North Carolina backline is caught out of position, the rookie can field the ball from Brett and place a pinpoint accurate shot into the bottom right-hand corner to jump on the scoresheet.

Tale of the Tape

The Hounds’ high pressure led to 24 percent of the match being played in their attacking third compared to only 18 percent being played from their defensive third. In addition, Pittsburgh touched the ball 28 times inside of the North Carolina 18-yard box.

The above statistics propelled the Black and Gold to a 7-to-2 shots on goal advantage, which translated to earning three points at home.