PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The unbeaten Riverhounds are home for a couple of games in the next four days. The Hounds host unbeaten Loudoun Saturday at 7p and then the Maryland Bobcats FC in the start of the US Open Cup on Tuesday night.
Hounds are coming off a draw at Detroit after a pair of wins to open the season. Pittsburgh is three points behind Louisville, who has played one more game.
“The results have been good, but we are trying to play 90 minutes with more rhythm and possession creating more chances,” said Riverhounds Head Coach Bob Lilley. “We are not there yet, but continue to work on it. We will unlock that box sooner hopefully rather than later.”
“It’s been a bit of a process especially when you get turnover with new guys,” said Hounds defender Shane Wiedt. “I definitely think we are starting to come together and figure things out. Get that chemistry going and it’s looking pretty good.”
Albert Dikwa leads the team with a pair of goals. The Cameroon native is in his third season in Pittsburgh as part of a deeper club that is causing Lilley sleepless nights trying to figure out not just who to play, but who to dress.
“I think there is a lot of experience, guys like Kenny (Forbes) and Dani Rovira, Dan Kelly,” Wiedt said. “You have that calming presence and you mix in those young guys that are going to bring energy every day. It’s always a good mix to have.”
“There is a lot of untapped potential in this group,” Lilley said. “It’s just going to take a lot of work and a little bit of time. It’s nice to know that even when we don’t have our best stuff we are going to be a competitive team.”
The Riverhounds have owned Loudoun United FC. In four previous meetings at Highmark Stadium, Loudoun has yet to score a goal in any of them. This Loudoun team may be different. They have not only limited chances, but goalie Luis Zamudio hasn’t allowed a goal all season.
Lilley expects Saturday to be a challenge noting they have to assert themselves, but he likes that the game is at home.
“They are always a good team,” said Wiedt, a former Loudoun player. “They are well-coached. They are a young group of guys. I think they are going to be very energetic and they are going to be pressing. It will be an intense game, good battle back-and-forth.”