Riverhounds edge New Mexico on Mertz鈥檚 2nd-half tally
Chris Cowger | Riverhounds SC
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds aren’t loaded with WPIAL players on their roster, but Robbie Mertz gave fans of District 7 something to cheer for in netting the only goal in Pittsburgh’s 1-0 victory over New Mexico United on Friday at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Metz, an Upper St. Clair graduate, scored in the 73rd minute and keeper Eric Dick made three saves for his sixth clean sheet of the season across all competitions.
The Riverhounds improved to 6-6-2 this season and moved up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship standings with 20 points. Detroit City FC also has 20 points, but Pittsburgh has six victories to Detroit’s five.
Despite the setback, New Mexico (8-5-1) sits atop the Western Conference standings with 25 points.
The visitors maintained 70 percent of the possession, but the Riverhounds had an 18-6 advantage in shots, including a 4-3 edge on target.
The Hounds moved to 5-2-1 all-time on the Fourth of July at Highmark.
Pittsburgh hit three posts in the match before Mertz struck. Guillaume Vacter turned a corner kick by Mertz onto the left post in the 21st minute. Vacter had a second shot go off the woodwork in the 38th minute when Sean Suber headed Mertz’s free kick back across the face of the goal, as the French defender was looking for his first professional tally.
Augi Williams’ shot rebounded straight back into play after hitting the upright in the 62nd minute.
The Riverhounds’ defense has been their strength this season, and coach Bob Lilley’s team scored the only goal it would need in creating a turnover in New Mexico territory.
Midfielder Danny Griffin intercepted a pass and fed Williams on the left. The first shot was saved by keeper Alex Tambakis, but Mertz knocked in the rebound from seven yards out.
New Mexico was awarded a free kick in the second half after Luke Biasi mistimed his tackle just outside the box. Mukwelle Akale took the free kick and attempted to curl the ball over the ball, but Dick raced to his left and used his palm to knock the ball over the net.
The visitors are the top possession team in the USL Championship, and demonstrated that during the match, especially in the opening quarter of play.
Pittsburgh showed its ability on the counter following the opening minutes, as Williams was denied by Tambakis on a near-breakaway.
Mertz was named the “Modelo Man of the Match” after creating four chances, eight touches in the opponents box and won three free kicks. He won six of 10 duels, which all came before he found the back of the net.
The Hounds return to Highmark on July 13 in an Eastern Conference showdown against Loudoun United FC (8-4-1) at 5 p.m. Loudoun won the first meeting, 2-1, on April 19.