Recap: New York Red Bulls II Shut Down by Pittsburgh

MONTCLAIR, NJ - Alex Dixon led the way with a goal and assist as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC took its first victory of the 2021 USL Championship season with a 3-0 win against the New York Red Bulls II on Friday night at MSU Soccer Park

The Red Bulls felt good after coming from behind to get a draw on the road against the Charleston Battery, were looking for their first win at home. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds came in the match looking for their first win of the season, scoring one goal during the entire campaign thus far.

With severe weather in the North Jersey area more suited for ducks than soccer players at kickoff, Pittsburgh got the dream start they needed by putting the Red Bulls on their heels at kickoff.

And in the 22nd minute, the pressure paid off. Albert Dikwa crossed the ball from the corner towards the center of the box, where Danny Griffin one-timed the ball right in the back of the net for a one-goal lead. 

Then on the 29th minute, Alex Dixon scored his first goal of the season to put the visitors up by two. Zalinsky trying to make a play, turned over the ball to Daniel Rovira, deftly passed it over to a wide-open Dixon who slotted it past New York goalkeeper Anthony Marcucci.

The New York Red Bulls would try to answer after both goals, but Riverhounds goalkeeper Daniel Vitello would make two huge saves, keeping the New York attack at bay and effectively off the scoreboard. 

In the second half, Russell Cicerone tacked on one more goal for the visitors in the 51st minute, as he took a slick through-ball pass at the top of the box from Alex Dixon and blasted his shot inside the left post to put the Riverhounds up by three.

Riverhounds goalkeeper Daniel Vitello continued his stellar performance by making one huge save as Serge Ngoma picked up possession on the right and delivered a cross that was redirected onto his right post by Hounds defender Jalen Robinson and rebounded away to safety.

Pittsburgh saw out the remainder of the contest, however, as the side claimed its first shutout of the season and its first three points, and unfortunately for New York Red Bulls II, left still searching for their first win at home. 

Starting XI:

New York Red Bulls II: Marcucci, Zalinsky, Castillo, Egbo (c), Tombol, LaCava, Mitchell (Acosta 84'), Edelman (Brummett - 67'), Rafanello (Ofori - 85'), Knapp, Sowe (Ngoma - '73)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Vitello, Williams, Dover (Robinson - 69'), Wiedt, Peters, Rovira (Wharton - 78'), Dixon (29') (Veladre - 86'), Forbes (c), Griffin (22'), Dikwa (Kilwien - 69'), Cicerone (51') (Gatt - 86')

Scoring Summary:
22' - (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) - Danny Griffin (Albert Dikwa)
29' - (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) - Alex Dixon (Daniel Rovira)
50' - (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) - Russell Cicerone (Alex Dixon) 

Misconduct Summary:
13' - (New York Red Bulls II) - Joseph Zalinsky (caution/foul)
61' - (New York Red Bulls II) - Daniel Edelman (caution/foul)
73' - (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) - Dani Rovira (caution/foul)
90+1' - (New York Red Bulls II) Emir Tombol (caution/foul)
90+2' - (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) - Preston Kilwien (caution/foul)