Riverhounds overcome slow start to rout Loudoun United

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds did what they needed to do Saturday night against last-place Loudoun United, earning a lopsided 5-0 victory at Highmark Stadium, but coach Bob Lilley feels his team needs to be better from start to finish.

After a somewhat sloppy first half, the Riverhounds scored four times in the final 20 minutes, including a pair from team captain Kenardo Forbes, to put the match away.

“We had a lot of careless turnovers and poor passes in the attacking zone in the first half, and I know we can play better,” Lilley said. “In the second half, we were better, but the reality is that it was a one-goal game for 70 minutes. We were on our heels in the first half. We need to be on the ball and dictating the terms of the game.

“I was happy to see we created more chances and that there was more positive in our play in the second half, but I told the guys if we have performance like of our first 60 minutes in any of our last seven games, we’re not going to get many results.”

The win keeps the Riverhounds (14-6-5) in second place in the USL Atlantic Division, two points behind Tampa Bay. Loudoun (3-17-2) dropped its third match in four games.

Todd Wharton opened the scoring in the 20th minute off a corner kick. Forbes’ ball in was headed by Mekeil Williams, then pinballed off a couple players, including Loudoun keeper Jonathan Mennell, before settling for Wharton and he banged it home from close range.

It was the second goal of the season for Wharton, who has been a steady mainstay in the midfield.

“He’s just smart,” Lilley said. “He’s pretty good on the ball, and his awareness is good. To be a good passer, it’s not just technique, it’s knowing where to make the pass at the right time and sense danger. He sees the game and anticipates it well. He’s smart and consistent, which is what you need to have at this level.”

Another steady force in the midfield, Forbes found the net in the 58th minute. After intercepting a poor back pass, Forbes quickly passed to Russell Cicerone, who kicked the ball over his head toward goal. Forbes ran under it and struck it out of the air with his right foot into the net.

Then the floodgates opened.

Cicerone back-heeled a ball in close off a cross from Louis Perez to make it 3-0 in the 75th minute. Tommy Williamson followed with a goal in the 80th minute and Forbes added another two minutes later. The last two goals were assisted by Ezra Armstrong, giving him the first two points of his Riverhounds career.

“Loudoun is a difficult team to play against, because they are kids. They are young and bring a lot of energy on the attack,” Forbes said. “It’s a tough game. I hate playing against them. It was nice to turn the corner against them and score five goals.”

Loudoun’s best scoring chance came in the 14th minute when a poor pass by Riverhounds center back Shane Weidt led to a glorious opportunity for Jeremy Garay from just outside the box, but his shot hit the crossbar. The ball caromed back into play, but Riverhounds keeper Danny Vitiello was able to get his hands on a weak rebound attempt from Garay.

Vitiello posted his sixth clean sheet of the season.

The Riverhounds travel to fourth-place Charlotte on Saturday.