Leading up to the Riverhounds’ season opener on Sunday, coach Bob Lilley preached to his team to start the season on the right foot by being aggressive against one of the top teams in the USL Championship.
His team answered the call at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville as the Hounds (1-0) scored two second-half goals and defeated Louisville City FC, 3-1.
FULL TIME:@loucityfc 1@RiverhoundsSC 3#LOUvPIT | https://t.co/DtuwM55sSa pic.twitter.com/ECQQYrZtml
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) July 12, 2020
Early on in the contest, which was televised on ESPN2, Louisville (1-1) benefited from the energetic crowd. In the 18th minute, Louisville’s Speedy Williams hit a strike from outside the 18-yard box that snuck past Riverhounds goalkeeper Tomas Gomez into the bottom left corner.
First goal in Lynn Family Stadium ✔️
First limbo celly in Lynn Family Stadium ✔️@Speedy_ccc80 makes his mark.#LOUvPIT | #USLonESPN pic.twitter.com/kdF0jkG0qQ— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) July 12, 2020
Williams’ goal was an early blow but the Riverhounds still stayed steady throughout the match and just before the half, Jordan Dover delivered the equalizer.
At the 45-minute mark, Kenardo Forbes floated a ball over the top of the Louisville defense right to Dover’s foot. The veteran settled the ball with a defender on his back and poked a shot right past Louisville keeper Benjamin Lundt.
Then just after the break, Upper St. Clair grad Robbie Mertz delivered with a goal to put the Hounds up 2-1. After forward Ropapa Mensah received a pass at the top of the box, Mertz overlapped the striker from Ghana and received a perfect pass that set up a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner. Five minutes later, Anthony Velarde finished off a cross from Mensah to put the game away.
?️ @RiverhoundsSC have had a few things to say in the second half!#LOUvPIT | #USLonESPN pic.twitter.com/5v2HilS1ru
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) July 12, 2020
The contest was one of the first sporting events in the United States with fans as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave his approval for the venue to operate at up to 50% of its 15,304-seat capacity. It was reported the stadium held about 30% of its normal capacity.
Louisville City FC controlled 65.4% of the possession and beat the Riverhounds in shot attempts with an 11-6 advantage. But the Riverhounds recorded more shots on goal and had a massive advantage in shooting accuracy. They also recorded 21 clearances compared to Louisville City’s seven.
The Hounds will travel to in-state rival Philadelphia Union II at 7:30 p.m. on July 18.
