Loudoun United drop home opener 2-0 to Pittsburgh

Loudoun United started their 2019 season with a prolonged home stand before their first appearance at Segra Field and their 2020 season found themselves doing the same thing, albeit against the circumstances from Covid. As the first major sporting event in the D.C. area, Loudoun followed protocols set out by the USL as well as local and state officials, but the resulting 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ended their home winning streak and found themselves shut out for the second straight game in front of 452 at Segra Field.

After their absence in Saturday’s loss to Louisville, Loudoun reintroduced Alioune Ndour and Ted Ku-DiPietro to the starting lineup, while the Riverhounds had 6 changes from their Saturday loss to Indy Eleven, but still had goalscorer Steevan Dos Santos in the lineup, and following a long ball from Daniel Rovira, Dos Santos put a left footed shot under Colin Miller for the 1-0 Pittsburgh after seven minutes. Just a few minutes later, a cross by Robbie Mertz would be redirected by Lukas Fernandes and Loudoun were down 2-0 after 11 minutes. While they would continue to try and keep up with the Hounds, Nelson Martinez (already in the books for a 17th minute yellow card) fouled Ryan James in the first minute of the first half of stoppage, putting Loudoun at 10 for the second half.

With the second half finding both teams playing on the weekend, Loudoun did make attempts to make the game a competitive one (midfielder Erumuse Momoh made his pro debut in the second half as a substitute), though goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello had little work to do save for a late second half save, while the Hounds were comfortable to absorb whatever pressure Loudoun did attempt to create and counter when it saw opportunity, but Colin Miller had little to do as well.

Loudoun (1-4-1) remain 4th in the five team Group F, with their next game Sunday at 7pm against Hartford Athletic FC.

USL Championship Group F - Game 5
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2 (Lancaster 39, Matsoso 49)
Loudoun United FC 0

Lineups:
Pittsburgh (532): Daniel Vitiello; Daniel Rovira (Jordan Dover 44), Mark Lindstrom (Skylar Thomas 66), Thomas Vancaeyeezeele, Dakota Barnathan (Daniel Griffin 65), Ryan James; Robbie Mertz, Anthony Velarde (Mark Forrest 86), Kenardo Forbes; Lukas Fernandes (Ropapa Mensah 86), Steevan Dos Santos

Loudoun (4231): Colin Miller; Alexxon Saravia, Timmy Mehl (Jeremy Garay 33), Shane Wiedt, Jacob Greene; Nelson Martinez, Elvis Amoh (Erumuse Momoh 64); Kairou Amoustapha (Brandon Williamson 64), Ted Ku-DiPietro (Michael Gamble 63), Peabo Doue (C) (Joshua Fawole 45); Alioune Ndour

Bookings:
Louisville - Barnathan 50, Vancaeyeezeele 85
Loudoun - Martinez 17, 45+1 (2nd), Wiedt 58, Saravia 59