Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (6-1-6) outperformed one of the elite attacks in the USL this past Saturday at Highmark Stadium, defeating New York Red Bulls II (5-4-5), 3-0. Starting their first game of the season together on the frontline, forwards Neco Brett and Romeo Parkes led the offense, scoring two tallies and one goal, respectively. Here’s how the Hounds found the twine en route to their sixth victory of the campaign.

27’ Neco Brett assisted by Kevin Kerr

After forcing a turnover at midfield, attacking midfielder Christiano François led a break down the left side of the pitch into the 18-yard box.

Seen above, François (green arrow) readies a cross in front of the net. Fellow midfielder Kevin Kerr (yellow arrow), who is unmarked as he runs down the field, eventually collects the ball as it comes across the penalty area.

Once Kerr obtains possession, he looks up and spots Brett (orange arrow) in the center of the penalty box. Despite being surrounded by New York defenders, the striker creates enough space to place a header by New York goalkeeper Scott Levene.

54’ Neco Brett assisted by Kenardo Forbes

Following a spectacular blocked shot by defender Hugh Roberts and clearance by outside back Ray Lee, the Hounds flipped the field on Red Bulls II.

Gathering a loose ball at midfield, Kenardo Forbes (blue arrow) led the break into the Pittsburgh offensive third. Having an option to send a through-ball to Kerr (yellow arrow) or Brett (orange arrow), he elects to split the two New York adversaries and send a shorter pass toward Brett.

Subsequently, the striker chased down the ball in the center of the penalty box and flipped it over Levene for his and the Hounds’ second tally of the match.

65’ Romeo Parkes assisted by Ray Lee

Lee helped flip the field for Pittsburgh’s second goal, but found himself involved offensively for the team’s third tally.

Charging a loose ball just outside of the penalty area, Lee (yellow arrow) boots a cross toward the goalmouth. Parkes (red arrow) served as the beneficiary of the looping ball. 

As the ball descends near the penalty spot, Parkes finds himself between a couple of New York defenders. Using his 6-foot-3-inch frame, the forward fights his way to the ball and sends a header into the back of the net for the squad’s third and final goal of the match.

Tale of the Tape

Upon the final whistle, Pittsburgh outshot New York, which led the USL in total shots heading into the match, 13-11. In addition, the Hounds outdid Red Bulls II in shots on goal, posting seven shots on goal compared to three shots on target for their opposition.

Even though Riverhounds SC conceded the possession battle (40.6 percent possession), the team prevented New York from holding the ball in its defensive third. Only 23.6 percent of the game was played from the Hounds’ defensive third. This allowed the Black and Gold to generate additional offensive pressure when it did possess the ball, as the squad would be in friendlier attacking positions on the field.

With greater shot totals and success keeping the New York attack away from its 18-yard box, Pittsburgh ultimately clinched three points on its home turf.