PITTSBURGH – An early goal by Russell Cicerone and a solid defensive display proved enough as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC took a 1-0 victory against Loudoun United FC on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

Aiming to maintain their top-two position in the Atlantic Division, the Hounds got out to an ideal start in the sixth minute as Todd Wharton drove from the right channel toward the top of the penalty, drawing the defense, before releasing a pass to his right for Alex Dixon in space. Dixon controlled and delivered a low ball across the top of the six-yard area that was met by Albert Dikwa, whose finish caromed off teammate Russell Cicerone and into the back of the net.

Pittsburgh continued to carry the early play and Loudoun’s Timmy Mehl had to make a good challenge to keep Dikwa from another chance in the 18th minute before the Hounds’ Cameroonian forward put a header on target from a corner kick by Kenardo Forbes a minute later that United goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah saved.

Dixon almost doubled the lead for the hosts four minutes before halftime as he was set up by Cicerone for a shot inside the penalty area that hit the base of the left post and caromed away to safety, leaving the hosts to settle for their one-goal lead at the break.

Loudoun failed to register a shot on goal in the first half but was given an opportunity to level with an indirect free kick inside the Pittsburgh penalty area 12 minutes into the second half. Robbie Dambrot was teed up for a shot that was charged down by the Hounds’ Danny Griffin, and the visitors were unable to follow up with a second chance.

The Hounds went close again to adding to their lead just past the hour-mark as Forbes’ free kick from the right to the back post found Preston Kilwien, whose cushioned volley went wide of the left post. Loudoun then had its first official effort on goal in the 63rd minute as Darluis Paz tried a curling shot from outside the penalty area that was easily held by Pittsburgh’s Danny Vitiello.

Paz forced a bigger save out of Vitiello with 20 minutes to go as he cut into the left side of the penalty area for a shot that was parried before Hounds defender Shane Wiedt cleared to safety, while Massimo Ferrin tried a free kick from 30 yards that found the target but also the waiting arms of Vitiello as he made a comfortable save.

Pittsburgh pushed late to put the game away and a scrambled play in the Loudoun penalty area after a long free kick forward eventually came to Anthony Velarde, whose shot from close range was blocked over the crossbar by Tyler Gabarra. Off the ensuing corner kick the Hounds went short and manufactured a shot for Dixon just inside the top-left edge of the penalty area that he struck well and forced a good save by Fordah in the United net.

Loudoun went close again with four minutes remaining, though, as Gabarra volleyed a finish just wide of the left post after a neat set-up by Paz. The late pressure from the visitors couldn’t find a payoff, however, and after Gabbara fired a shot high and wide after a corner kick in stoppage time the final whistle arrived soon after to seal all three points for the Hounds.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Forbes marked his 100th appearance for the Hounds with a fine all-around display, notching two key passes and completing 39 of 49 passes overall while making 12 recoveries and winning 5 of 8 duels.

Scoring Summary
PIT – Russell Cicerone (Albert Dikwa) 6’

Full Box Score