MELBOURNE, Fla. – The eighth and final Eastern Conference slot in the 2016 USL Playoffs is still up for grabs, and while Orlando City B is in prime position for it, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds were not going to make it easy for the expansion side. Led by rookie Chevaughn Walsh’s first-half goal and iced by Corey Hertzog’s stoppage-time tally, the Riverhounds went on the road to grab a 2-0 victory against OCB on Saturday at the Titan Soccer Complex. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and the Riverhounds’ defense also maintained the clean sheet, marking the club’s first shutout win of the campaign. With the win, Pittsburgh improves to 6-15-5 (23 points) overall and 2-7-4 on the road. Orlando falls to 8-10-8 (32 points) overall and 4-5-6 at home as OCB saw an end to a five-game home unbeaten streak (1-0-4). OCB’s final three regular-season matches are on the road. The teams split the season series, with Orlando winning the first meeting 2-1 on April 22 at Highmark Stadium. 

Scoring:
23’ – PGH – Chevaughn Walsh (Kevin Kerr)
90’+ – PGH – Corey Hertzog

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. Riverhounds striker Chevaughn Walsh made his second appearance and first start after enjoying a PDL MVP campaign with the Ocean City Nor’easters. In his short time, Walsh already is proving to be a valuable commodity and making a smooth transition into the USL. Walsh netted his first USL goal in the 23rd minute to give Pittsburgh the 1-0 lead. Kevin Kerr crossed in from the left side and Walsh targeted the far right post, sneaking his shot past OCB goalkeeper Mark Ridgers for the one-goal cushion on the road against a team that is trying to clamp down the eighth postseason position. Corey Hertzog would eventually tally his team-leading 12th goal of the season as Pittsburgh countered at the close.

• 2. Pittsburgh is enjoying its first three-game unbeaten streak of the season. The Riverhounds are 2-0-1 during their recent stretch. Saturday’s game also marked the team’s first shutout victory of the campaign and second clean sheet overall as the Hounds also played the Harrisburg City Islanders to a scoreless draw on July 4 at Highmark Stadium. Once Pittsburgh grabbed the lead, the Riverhounds 

• 3. Orlando’s buildups and set pieces throughout the night could have been stronger, and in the run of play, OCB relied on some deep passes and crosses to no avail. One of the better chances that deserved at least a shot on frame came in the 56th minute on a free kick. Craig Nitti’s strike, however, hit the outside of the right netting as Pittsburgh goalkeeper Zack Steffen already had that near right post well covered. OCB also had a setback early on as Johnny Mendoza replaced Lewis Neal in the 40th minute after Neal took a bit of a knock.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Chevaughn Walsh, Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Walsh’s first start and second appearance included a big first-half tally as the 2016 PDL MVP is already making an impact in the USL.

Upcoming Games:
Orlando City B at Wilmington Hammerheads FC – Sept. 7, 7 p.m. ET, Legion Stadium
Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Charlotte Independence – Sept. 10, 7 p.m. ET, Ramblewood Soccer Complex