Coach Bob Lilley is adamant that Riverhounds SC, less than a month into the 2018 season, has yet to achieve anything notable.
But after posting consecutive losing seasons in 2016 and 2017 — and just two winning seasons since the club recorded 17 victories in 2004 — there’s reason to think positively.
The Riverhounds have yet to give up a goal through four games, marking the first time the club has posted four consecutive shutouts to begin a season since the current iteration of the United Soccer League began play in 2011. Pittsburgh (2-0-2 overall) is one of two USL teams with four clean sheets this season.
The challenge moving forward will be to increase scoring, as the Riverhounds have tallied just five goals and recorded two 0-0 draws. But Lilley, hired as head coach last November, is encouraged.
“Listen, we’re competing well right now,” Lilley said. “We’re not necessarily playing our best soccer. We’re definitely trying to go forward, create chances. We’re dominating stats in most of these games in terms of crosses and corners and shots, so we’re trying to play on the front foot. It’s not by design, and we’re never going to sit back. I never thought of myself as a defensive coach because to win games, you have to score goals. But I don’t like giving anything away.”
The Riverhounds are coming off an offseason filled with change.
Lilley, who has yet to miss a postseason in his 17-year-coaching career, was a surprise hire after the unexpected departure of previous coach Dave Brandt, who was hired in 2016. During separate stints at Rochester from 2010-11 and 2014-17, Lilley compiled an overall record of 87-37-53 and earned Coach of the Year honors twice. Prior to Rochester, Lilley managed the Hershey Wildcats, Montreal Ignition, Vancouver Whitecaps and Detroit Ignition across multiple leagues.
And on Feb. 16, the club went through an official rebrand — naming itself “Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC” and swapping the longtime “Hounds head” logo for a more traditional soccer seal.
Midfielder Kevin Kerr, who has been with the Riverhounds for six seasons, is perhaps more familiar with the club’s culture than anyone outside of management. Kerr said the club feels more professional than it ever has before.
Kerr noted that Lilley, with nearly two decades of professional soccer success on his resume, brought in a different voice than Brandt, who joined the Riverhounds after spending 18 years as a college soccer head coach.
“Bob came in with a huge amount of respect for what he’s done for other leagues.” Kerr said. “It’s different from previously, where coaches are more, Dave Brandt, who no one had ever heard of, has to establish himself and kind of try to get everyone on his side. [Lilley] walked in with massive respect from the club, so we’re enjoying it.”
Lilley fears that, as the season goes on, it’ll become tougher for the Riverhounds to maintain their stout defense. But, for now, things are going according to plan.
“There’s areas where we can improve defensively,” Lilley said. “As teams get more fluid as the season goes on, offenses become more fluid and their speed of play goes up, their creativity goes up, their understanding goes up. It’ll be important for us if we want to keep posting shutouts to get better on that side of the ball as well. No complaints at this early stage. I’m happy with the progress we’re making.”
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Omari Sankofa II: osankofa@post-gazette.com and Twitter @omarisankofa
First Published: April 20, 2018, 3:36 p.m.