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Hounds Reward Hardy Fans with Victory

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/05/18, 8:14AM EDT

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Lightning delay failed to put damper on hosts in fourth win from last five contests


Riverhounds SC winger Christiano Francois is congratulated by teammates following his late first-half goal against North Carolina FC. | Photo courtesy Delaney Hoolahan / Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

PITTSBURGH – As the players left the field in the 18th minute with a major thunderstorm homing in on Highmark Stadium, there was little telling as to when – or even if – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and North Carolina FC would return to the field.

But while action wouldn’t resume for almost three hours, Riverhounds SC Head Coach Bob Lilley was delighted by the numerous fans who saw out the storm and provided an energetic mood around the venue as the final 70-plus minutes played out well into the night on the banks of the Monongahela.

“This is one game where the night started glorious with Fourth of July and a packed house,” said Lilley. “My hats off to the fans who stayed, it was great to still have an atmosphere.”

Those fans were treated to a standout finish by Christiano Francois that paved the way to a 2-0 victory for the hosts that moved the Hounds within three points of FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference standings after claiming their fourth win in the past five outings. The Haitian’s individual goal just before the halftime break saw him pick up possession 45 yards from goal on the left before gliding into the penalty area to unleash a powerful right-footed finish into the top-left corner gave Pittsburgh a major boost going into the official halftime break.

The chance also embodied the way Lilley had set up his team to try and counteract North Carolina’s solid midfield, which saw both Francois and fellow winger Kevin Kerr pinch in to provide support before fanning out to the flanks when the Hounds won possession. Francois had provided a preview of his goal a few minutes prior to opening the scoring, on that occasion slipping Romeo Parkes into the left side of the penalty area for a first-time finish after winning a battle for possession on the left flank just inside his own half.

“[North Carolina] is a really good team,” said Francois. “They chip the ball pretty well, so coach wanted Kevin and I to come and defend inside. Then when we have the ball, we have to open up.”

With Kerr icing the game with a well-directed header in the 71st minute, both Kerr and Francois not only found the net, but also won 17 of 29 duels overall on the night to carry the weight alongside Thomas Vancaeyezeele (12 of 16 duels). While North Carolina carried more possession, the Hounds won more duels and aerial duels than their visitors, posted 16 interceptions and held a 13-9 edge in overall shots and 7-4 in shots on goal for the contest.


Riverhounds SC defender Tobi Adewole wins a header during his side's league-leading 11th shutout of the 2018 regular season. | Photo courtesy Chris Cowger / Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

That resulted in an eighth shutout of the season for Hounds goalkeeper Dan Lynd, now tied for the league-lead with Ottawa Fury FC’s Maxime Crepeau and Nashville SC’s Matt Pickens, and a league-leading 11th shutout overall for the club.

With a visit to Crepeau and Fury FC this Sunday up next for Lilley’s side at TD Place, the principles the side is adhering to at both ends of the field have the Hounds only five points shy of their 2017 total with more than half a season to go.

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