The same issues are cropping up match after match for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

They can’t score, and they give up untimely goals to their opponents.

Over the weekend, it was two early goals against Hartford that put them in a hole.

On Wednesday, it was an early second-half tally that sunk them.

Jansen Wilson’s goal in the 49th minute was enough for league leader Louisville City in a 1-0 victory at Highmark Stadium.

The loss extended the winless streak for the Hounds (3-7-5) to seven in the league and eight overall. They haven’t won since May 4, are 0-4-3 in that span and sit at 10th out of 12 in the Eastern Conference standings.

“When we look at those games, we know it’s not good enough,” Hounds captain Danny Griffin said. “It’s definitely not to our level or our standard that we know we can play at. I think some of the games we’ve been in have been a lot closer than the final score, but you can say you played a good game, but what do you have to show for it if you don’t have the points?”

Wilson scored on a shot from outside the box after a short pass from Elijah Wynder.

Wynder had his back to the goal when he made the pass and two defenders at his side. That created enough space for Wilson to take a shot.

That turned out to be the winner because the offensive struggles continued for the Hounds. They are last in the league in goals at 11 and tied with Birmingham for the lowest conversion rate at 9%. Louisville (11-2-2) is the league leader in conversion rate at 23%.

The Hounds are goal-less in 10 of 15 matches, three in a row, and four of their last five.

“I don’t think we turned them enough on defense,” Hounds coach Bob Lilley said. “We didn’t get a shot until stoppage time in the first half. I thought we were a little bit better in the second half, but you have to win second balls. When we played long and they won the header, we have to win the next ball to continue the attack and generally (Louisville) cleaned that up.”

The Hounds had a couple of good opportunities but again were left frustrated.

Danny Griffin put a good strike on goal in first-half stoppage time, but it sailed just over the crossbar.

In the second half, Junior Etou got a clean look in the box, but his shot was stopped by the arm of Louisville keeper Damian Las.

“We had chances,” Lilley said. “Junior’s in on that ball, and he has to either finish with his right foot or the outside of his left. He can’t let that get across his body and let the keeper get on top of him. That shot has to be taken early. It’s a moment that has to be finished. (Edward) Kizza’s in on one, and he doesn’t even hit the target. That’s a shot that has to be on frame. There’s been too many moments like that for us this year.”

The Hounds made a triple sub in the 67th minute, going with Robbie Mertz, Kaziah Sterling and Edward Kizza for Kenardo Forbes, newly added Enoch Mushagalusa and Emmanuel Johnson.

Mushagalusa came over on a loan deal from Hartford Athletic. The Hounds also negotiated a transfer deal for reserve defender Michael DeShields to go to Hartford.

The comeback attempt was hampered by Luke Biasi picking up a second yellow card in the 76th minute, forcing the Hounds to play down a man the rest of the way. Biasi also accrued a yellow card in the 17th minute.

Two former Hounds, forward Tola Showunmi and reigning USL Defender of the Year Arturo Ordonez, started for Louisville.

Ordonez received a yellow card in first-half stoppage time for fouling Emmanuel Johnson.

Fox Chapel rising senior Pablo Linzoain made his second appearance with the club, coming on in second half stoppage time.

The Hounds are on the road the next two matches starting with a trip to North Carolina FC on Saturday.

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