The Riverhounds welcomed Birmingham Legion FC with valuable playoff positioning at stake and wasted little time asserting themselves. In the 2nd minute, M Danny Griffin tested Legion GK Jassem Koleilat with a shot that forced an early save. The ensuing corner kick was cleared away by the Birmingham defense.
The Hounds continued to press forward and nearly found another opportunity in the 7th minute when Sam Bassett’s right-footed effort from the left side of the penalty area drifted wide of the right post. Pittsburgh’s aggressive high press created several quality chances in the opening stages, putting the visitors under immediate pressure and setting the tone for a fast-paced start. The Hounds had another golden opportunity in the 18th minute when D Perrin Barnes right footed shot went wide of the target.
As the first half continued both teams traded modest chances with the Hounds earning several corners. The high line of the Hounds continued to offer chance after chance as the Hounds turned the pressure up a notch. A late free kick for the Hounds, earned by F Trevor Armann, sailed out. Despite the disparity in shots Hounds 12-2, they were unable to get any in the net 0-0. The second half began at a slower pace, with neither side generating many clear cut chances through the opening minutes. The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute when Birmingham defender Nico Brown mishit an attempted back pass, allowing Trevor Amann to capitalize with a first-time finish to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, the Riverhounds struck again. Amann turned provider, slipping a pass to captain Danny Griffin, who unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net to double the advantage. The quick-fire goals gave the Hounds complete control of the match and put Birmingham on the back foot.
As the second half wore on, the Riverhounds shifted their focus toward maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the match. While patient buildup remained the priority, Pittsburgh continued to push forward whenever opportunities arose.
Birmingham kept pressing in search of a way back into the contest and finally broke through in the 82nd minute. Forward Ronaldo Damus finished from close range, driving a left-footed shot past Riverhounds goalkeeper Nico Campuzano and into the bottom-left corner. Dawson McCartney provided the assist as the Legion cut the deficit to 2-1 and set up a tense final stretch. The Hounds survived the final assault from the Legion and preserved a hard fought 2-1 victory. The Hounds begin their defense in when the playoffs begin, TBD.
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