Early goal holds up as Riverhounds get past Miami

Junior Etou started his Pittsburgh Riverhounds career as a defensive midfielder, but he’s transitioned into a left midfielder/wing back role.

So far this season, Etou has shown he can make an impact from that spot.

Two weeks in a row, Etou has made a play that resulted in a goal.

On Saturday, he shook a defender and sent in a superb low cross to set up Kaziah Sterling in the first half for the lone goal of the match as the Hounds held on to beat Miami FC, 1-0, at Highmark Stadium.

“When Danny Griffin came back last year, I had a conversation with the coaches and they said they wanted to try me on the left wing,” Etou said. “I played there the last 10 games maybe, and I liked it. Every time I play, I just try to give my best. It’s good for me.”

Sterling’s goal came in the 16th minute.

Etou danced around a defender on the left side to create space prior to his cross.

He made an impact on the offense last week when made a run into the box and drew a penalty. Griffin converted the penalty in the 2-0 win over Detroit City.

“He has impacted every game this year,” Lilley said. “He can still get better, though. He’s fast. He’s a problem. Even the one he mishit with his right foot in the second half ended up in a scramble because he got high and cut inside.

“He causes panic in defenders. Sometimes he’s got to slow down and get his body in control, but he’s a weapon. He’s done a good job of adjusting to what we want. It’s not a surprise because last year when we were in Louisville, he had the assist and when we clinched against Tampa, he had the assist on the first goal.”

The goal was a bright spot in what Lilley described as a disappointing performance overall.

It was the third win in a row for the Hounds (3-3-2), who are now unbeaten in their last five, but Lilley said the team was lucky to continue its streak.

“Look, we were poor tonight,” Lilley said. “We didn’t work hard enough. There was no pressure the first 10 to 20 minutes. (Miami) dictated a lot of the game. They played through us. It started at the beginning of the game. We weren’t willing to get in their face. We defended fairly well, but they were dribbling through us so easily that the game was stretched. We were fortunate to get three points tonight with the way we played.

“I know it’s tough to win a game and be negative, but I don’t think we’re going to win many games playing like that.”

Miami (2-6-1) was able to generate a few dangerous opportunities in the second half, most notably a deflection off a free kick by Nicolas Cardona that had to be tipped over the crossbar by Hounds keeper Eric Dick.

They also broke free for a 2-on-1 in the 80th minute, but Allen Gavilanes chipped a shot over the goal, ending the threat.

The Hounds host FC Tulsa in a US Open Cup match Tuesday. There will likely be plenty of squad rotation for the Cup match, but Lilley also said it could be an opportunity for some players to earn more playing time going forward.

“Clearly, I have to get more competition within the group, because there were a lot of guys that must have felt safe to put forth that type of effort tonight,” Lilley said. “(Tuesday) is a great chance to get some fresh blood out there and see what they can do. Then we’ll go from there.”