Former MVP has Riverhounds near top in goals
Across a 32-game USL calendar, the Riverhounds scored three goals or more only five times last season. The start to this campaign, however, has brought a more explosive attack, one that has emerged as the conference’s most clinical.
The Riverhounds have scored 16 goals in eight USL games. As of Friday, they’re one of four clubs to average two goals per game or better. The San Diego Loyal has 21 goals in nine games. Colorado Springs has 19 in nine. In the Eastern Conference, the Riverhounds’ tally is bested by only Louisville City’s 20 goals in 10 contests.
Pittsburgh’s goal mark has led to a cushy spot in the standings. Bob Lilley’s team sits third in its conference with five wins, one draw and two losses. For that, Lilley and Riverhounds fans alike can thank Dane Kelly and the relationship the new striker has formed with his attack minded team mates.
Kelly, the USL’s all-time leader in goals, sits atop the league’s ranks a
quarter of the way through the season. Kelly’s six goals are tied with LasVegas’ Daniel Trejo, bringing the 30-year-old Jamaican international to 105 goals since entering the league in2011.
“He’s been really consistent, and he’s done it with a number of different teams. So we value that,” Lilley said of Kelly, who signed with the Riverhounds in January. “Guys respect what he’s done and what he can bring to this team. And he’s had a really good start. Hopefully we can keep him firing on all cylinders.”
Lilley called Kelly “a cold-blooded finisher and poacher.” He showcased those qualities in 2017 when he won league MVP after an 18-goal campaign with Reno. He showcased that when tallying at least 10 goals in each of the last three years. And at this rate, his finishing might lead to a double-digit tally midway through thisseason.
“Everyone knows who Dane is,” Riverhounds forward Albert Dikwa added. “He’s the best scorer in the league. It was a big signing for us, and we’re happy to have him.”
But the Riverhounds’ success hasn’t been strictly Kelly’s to claim.
Lilley has had the luxury to rotate his attacking options. Last year, he didn’t have that flexibility. Dikwa missed half of the season, forcing Russell Cicerone into more of a forward role. Cicerone excelled there, leading the team with 16 goals. Alex Dixon was second on the team with nine. But Dikwa’s return and Kelly’s addition has allowed Lilley to slide Ciceroneto more of a creative role.
Dikwa’s development has provided an undeniable boost to the attack. The 24-year-old Cameroonian already has four goals in seven games. He had only five goals in his previous 22 appearances for the Riverhounds. But Dikwa brings morethan just his goal-scoring prowess.
“Everyone works hard, especially
Dikwa. Offensively and defensively, it’s amazing the work that he does,” Kelly said. “He links with everyone and makes our job easier.”
“We like Dikwa’s movement,” Lilley said. “Dikwa’s got an engine. A lot of times last year when Russell and Dixon were scoring goals, they’re getting in spaces that Dikwa created by moving center backs. Dikwa’s good with his link-up play. He’s a good outlet when we’re under pressure.He’s active with his runs.”
Then, of course, there’s Kenardo Forbes pulling the strings behind Dikwa and Kelly. Forbes, the USL’s all-time assists leader, has four in eight games this season, his fifth with the Riverhounds. Pittsburgh’s captain has made everyone around him better.
“He understands tactically where we’re going to exploit teams and what each player has in their locker,” Lilley said. “He sees that final pass and he has the quality. That’s important. For players like Russell, Dane and Dikwa, they’re all capable of getting assists. But they need service. And Kenny is a very good provider.”
Forbes’ ability to weaponize that awareness is steeped in his understanding of his teammates. He’s played with Dikwa, Cicerone and Dixon for a couple years now. And as a fellow Jamaican, he had a previous connectionwith Kelly.
In a lot of ways, this offensive outburst — scoring three goals in the opener against Memphis and hanging four on Atlanta two weeks ago — has been in the works. Lilley, who has led the Riverhounds to the USL playoffs in all four seasons in charge, hopes the attack continues as his team hosts Birmingham Legion on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.
“Some games we haven’t created enough chances because we haven’t been consistent enough with the ball. ... But generally, I’ve been happy with what we’re doing offensively,” the 55-year-old coach said. “And I think we have the ability to be a very good attacking team and continue to get better in that area.”