On a sweltering Wednesday night at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds entered the match hoping to secure three points and keep their unbeaten run in August intact. Instead, a late header by Noah Dollenmayer gave the home side a 2‑1 victory, ending the Hounds’ two‑game winning streak.
First half: Locomotive dominate early chances
El Paso came out firing, creating six shots in the opening half, two of them on target. A high diagonal pass to Amando Moreno in the 27th minute forced Pittsburgh keeper Mike Sheridan into a reflex save. The Riverhounds appealed for a penalty when Robbie Mertz was tripped in the box, but referee Elton Garcia saw no infraction.
Despite the pressure, the teams went into halftime level at 0‑0, with both sides having multiple opportunities but failing to find the net.
Riverhounds seize the lead
The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute. After a fluid passing sequence, Mertz received a give‑and‑go from Charles Ahl, cut inside the box and struck the ball into the left corner, beating El Paso keeper Pedro Cruz. It marked Mertz’s 24th career goal for Pittsburgh and his first of the season, tying him for tenth on the club’s all‑time scoring list.
Coach Rob Vincent praised the midfielder, noting his influence on and off the field: “Robbie’s been a massive part of what we try to do as a staff. He’s put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the club.”
Late drama and the decisive goal
El Paso responded quickly. In the 57th minute, Arturo Ortíz unleashed a long‑range effort that glanced off defender Eric Calvillo and slipped past Sheridan for a 1‑1 equalizer. The Hounds were outshot 15‑4, but continued to press.
As the clock wound down, both sides had chances, including a near‑miss from El Paso’s Gabi Torres in the 86th minute. In the third minute of stoppage time, Zyen Jones delivered a cross from the right, and Dollenmayer rose to meet it with a header that found the bottom left corner, sealing a 2‑1 win for the Locomotive.
Looking ahead
Vincent remained optimistic despite the setback. “It’s a tough one to take, but we have to be ready to get after it against Tampa on Saturday,” he said.
Robbie Mertz earned the Modelo Man of the Match honor, winning seven of nine duels and completing all three of his tackles. The Riverhounds (10‑9‑3) stay fourth in the Eastern Conference with 33 points, while El Paso (11‑7‑4) extended its own four‑match winning streak.
Saturday’s next fixture sees Pittsburgh travel to face Tampa Bay Rowdies at F.N.B. Stadium, a crucial test as the Hounds aim to rebound and keep playoff hopes alive.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
