Dikwa鈥檚 brace keeps Hounds鈥� perfect home record intact
On a day that wasn’t kind to the two other professional sports franchises in the city, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds were able to salvage setbacks by the Penguins and Pirates in earning a 2-1 victory over Detroit City FC on Saturday in the rain at Highmark Stadium.
The defending title holders of the USL Championship League improved to 4-0-0 across all competitions at home with two victories in the U.S. Open Cup and two in league play.
Pittsburgh improved to 3-3-1 in USL action, which is sixth in the Group A standings. Detroit FC is 3-2-1 in league play, and sits in third place in group standings due to a +3 goal differential. The Hounds are at -2.
“We’ve tried to focus on taking care of business at home this year,” Pittsburgh coach Rob Vincent said. “We want to try and pick up three points as many times as we can. We know how hard being on the road is in the USL.”
Albert Dikwa scored both goals, including the match’s first just two minutes into play. His brace came in the 83rd minute before Chisom Egbuchulam spoiled Pittsburgh’s shutout bid with a goal in stoppage time.
The Hounds had the opening kickoff, and it didn’t take long for Dikwa to get the home team on the scoreboard when he took a pass from Perrin Barnes and put a bouncing ball over keeper Carlos Herrera’s shoulder for a 1-0 lead.
Dikwa was able to get under the skin of the Detroit players, which caused some rough play.
“That’s part of my game,” said Dikwa in regards to aggravating the visitors. “I like teasing and pushing their buttons. I was glad to finish both goals in the rainy conditions.”
Jackson Walti began the sequence that led to Pittsburgh’s first tally when he sent a Detroit head clearance to Barnes.
Hounds keeper Nico Campuzano had three saves. His first was a diving stop to deny Connor Rutz’s shot from the top of the box in the 13th minute.
The visitors had a 19-11 advantage in shots, but were only able to put four on target.
Dikwa intercepted a pass by Herrera for a 2-0 advantage. Pittsburgh’s Charles Ahl forced Herrera to play the ball with his feet after applying pressure in the final third, which enabled Dikwa to bury the unassisted tally.
Egbuchulam’s goal came too late for the visitors, but he finished from the penalty spot with a minute left in stoppage time. Darren Smith had the assist.
Dikwa was named the Modelo Man of the Match after scoring his fourth and fifth goals of the season. Dikwa won five free kicks (while conceding three of his own), and he led the Hounds with seven recoveries.
It was the 12th all-time meeting between the clubs, including last season’s Eastern Conference semifinal.
Pittsburgh returns to Highmark Stadium this Saturday in the Prinx Tires USL Cup. The Hounds host USL League One’s Greensville Triumph FC for the first time in group play.