PITTSBURGH – Tobi Adewole scored the game-winner with five minutes to go as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC remained undefeated with a 1-0 victory against Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium. Riverhounds SC almost took the lead in the 27th minute when a cross by Christiano Francois from the right for a header by Neco Brett was just redirected wide as Fury FC defender Colin Falvey challenged the chance. Ottawa’s first good chance arrived 12 minutes later when Tony Taylor fought off a defender to set up Kevin Oliveira arriving in the penalty area, but the Cape Verde international slide his shot wide. The Hounds went close again two minutes into the second half as Fury FC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made a point-blank save to keep out Brett, while Taylor fired just over from 20 yards for Ottawa in the 55th minute as both teams looked for the opening goal. The breakthrough arrived for the Hounds with five minutes to go as a low cross by Kevin Kerr allowed Adewole to turn his finish home, and while Ottawa’s Cristian Portilla produced a fierce shot in stoppage time that Hounds goalkeeper Dan Lynd had to turn over the crossbar the hosts held firm for their fourth consecutive shutout to start the regular season.

Scoring:
85’ – PGH – Tobi Adewole (Kevin Kerr)

• #PGHvOTT: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Riverhounds SC continued to look a solid proposition as it remained undefeated with a second consecutive victory and will come away from the night with a sense of relief after grabbing the winner with five minutes to go after other chances on the night had gone begging. It took an outstanding save early in the second half by Fury FC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to deny Neco Brett on the biggest chance for Pittsburgh prior to what proved the game-winner, but Tobi Adewole was the man on the spot to put home Kevin Kerr’s low cross after good work by Ray Lee to take on the play up the left to create the initial chance.

• 2. Ottawa Head Coach Nikola Popovic will continue to work toward establishing the possession style that brought the Swope Park Rangers such success in the past two seasons, but on Saturday night Fury FC’s efforts to play a more pragmatic style just came up short of the first point of the season for the side. Ottawa will head back to Canada’s capital for next Saturday’s home opener against North Carolina FC with plenty to work on after a change of tactical approach didn’t bring about a change in result.

• 3. Fury FC’s approach to the game allowed the Hounds to be somewhat ambitious offensively at certain points of the game, and that was no better illustrated than in Pittsburgh’s game-winning goal. Left back Ray Lee was consistently looking to make his presence felt up the wing, and after missing on five crosses to open the game his sixth found Kevin Kerr for the pass that led to the assist on the Hounds’ game-winner.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Tobi Adewole, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Adewole backed up a solid defensive display with the game-winning goal with five minutes to go for the Hounds.

Upcoming Games:

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at FC Cincinnati – April 21, 7 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium

Ottawa Fury FC vs. North Carolina FC – April 21, 2 p.m. ET, TD Place