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Riverhounds SC, Indy End Deadlocked

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/11/18, 9:09PM EDT

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Pittsburgh’s undefeated start reaches eight games in 0-0 draw


Photo courtesy Delaney Hoolahan / Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Indy Eleven played to a 0-0 draw on Friday night at Highmark Stadium as the Hounds ran their undefeated start to the season to eight games. Both teams had good spells in the first half as Indy came out brightly before Riverhounds had a good spell of pressure that saw Neco Brett fired just wide of the left post from just inside then penalty area in the 26th minute. Indy also had some chances from the top of the penalty area, but both Soony Saad and Nathan Lewis’ finishes missed the target as the game went to the break scoreless. Pittsburgh almost took the lead in the 59th minute as a low cross by Kenardo Forbes found Christiano Francois, but the Haitian winger couldn’t control his finish, while Saad flashed a free kick just wide of the right post seven minutes later. Neither side would find many clear looks in the final 20 minutes, however, as the Hounds’ record of not conceding at home and Indy’s of not conceding on the road so far this season continued.

Scoring:
None

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Given the defensive records for both sides this season a tight encounter was always on the cards, but in its biggest home outing of the season so far Riverhounds SC added to the feeling that they firmly belong among the contenders in the Eastern Conference as the hosts extended their undefeated streak to eight games. Pittsburgh looked more incisive as it carried more of the play, outshooting its visitors 10-6 for the game, and likely left the contest the more disappointed of the sides to only emerge with a point.

  • 2. Indy’s defense continued its outstanding road record this season as it recorded a fourth consecutive shutout away from Lucas Oil Stadium as it blocked four shots inside the penalty area to close down the hosts and center backs Brad Rusin and Karl Ouimette both put in solid shifts to help limit Neco Brett’s clear looks at goal. The Eleven didn’t connect well enough offensively to merit more than the point it earned, completing fewer than 50 percent of its passes in the Pittsburgh half, but the side will be happy enough with its night’s work.

  • 3. One of the key players to follow Head Coach Bob Lilley to Riverhounds SC this offseason was midfielder Kenardo Forbes, and on Friday night the Jamaican put in another strong performance both in winning possession and providing creativity in the attacking third. Forbes has been one of the consistent presences in the USL in recent years, earning All-League Second Team honors in 2016, and his veteran presence along Ben Zemanski is going to provide a strong platform for Pittsburgh to build around.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Brad Rusin, Indy Eleven – Rusin helped Indy hold the hosts to only one shot on goal with 13 clearances as he won 10 of 11 duels overall in a fourth road shutout for the Eleven.

Upcoming Games:

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Tampa Bay Rowdies – May 19, 7:30 p.m. ET, Al Lang Stadium

Indy Eleven vs. Bethlehem Steel FC – May 19, 8 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium

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