PITTSBURGH – A first-minute goal by Austin Bold FC’s Collin Fernandez proved the difference as the visitors took a 1-0 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Sunday evening at Highmark Stadium to snap the hosts’ two-game winning streak.

Austin’s flying start arrived after a ball forward came to Ates Diouf, who lifted a short pass to Sean Okoli before the former Championship Golden Boot-winner flicked a pass centrally for Collin Fernandez to rifle home a first-time finish into the bottom left corner of the net after 53 seconds. The goal was the fastest in Bold FC’s history and settled the visitors in well as they limited the hosts from any clear chances in the early going.

Pittsburgh’s first half-chance came midway through the first half as Jordan Dover got into the right side of the penalty area to deliver a looping cross that Albert Dikwa was unable to put on target at the back post, while Austin tried to catch out the hosts in the 27th minute as Omar Gordon tried an ambitious effort from distance on a counterattack that was comfortably dealt with by Hounds goalkeeper Danny Vitiello.

Bold FC carried its lead into the second half, where neither side was able to create much in the way of clear chances. It wasn’t until 10 minutes to go that the Hounds threatened an equalizer as Thomas Williamson sent a curling shot from 20 yards on target that was saved by Austin goalkeeper Elliot Pannico. The effort appeared to spark something for the hosts as moments later Dover delivered a cross from the right for Russell Cicerone that the halftime substitute couldn’t put on target.

 Cicerone went close again with two minutes to go as he was first to a free kick by Kenardo Forbes from the right delivered to the near post, only for his header to go wide of the left post. That proved the final chance to level for the hosts, however, as Austin claimed its first road win of the season.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Amobi Okugo, Austin Bold FC – Okugo put in a solid shift for the visitors defensively, winning 6 of 8 duels and 3 of 4 tackles while completing 17 of 23 passes and making nine recoveries in the shutout victory.

Scoring Summary
ATX – Collin Fernandez (Sean Okoli) 1’

Full Box Score