If there is a constant in the Robert Lilley era with the Riverhounds, it was the team’s strong defensive performance. As the team faces a nine-game series that will determine whether they can extend their playoff streak to seven years, maintaining that defensive performance will be crucial.
The Hounds have allowed 24 goals in 25 games – 0.96 per game. That puts the Riverhounds in second place in the USL Championship this week, behind only Sacramento. The team also ranks second in the league with 10 shutouts, behind only Charleston.
On the defensive stability this season, even during a test run of results in June, central defenders Illal Osumanu attributes it to the work done during the training.
“I just feel like we have good training habits. We’re really competitive in training and we know that a lot of what we learn from training carries over into the games. And of course we have high expectations of ourselves,” Osumanu said.
Osumanu was there last season when the team conceded just 29 goals in a 34-game schedule. That was a taste of the expectations Lilley has of his team, something Sean Suber learned and took on a lot in his first year on the team.
Suber worked his way up from a bench position at the start of the season to a starter at center back since early June. But while he’s improved individually, he also stressed the importance of holding each other accountable to get results – as the team did with three consecutive shutouts against Sacramento, Detroit and San Antonio earlier this month.
“The strikers pressed well and put pressure on the ball. Our task at the back is really easy,” said Suber. “Of course we have Eric (Thick) at the back who makes saves when we need him. But when we talk about the dressing room, it’s just that we trust each other and try to push each other in training.”
The team is more successful at this point in the season than before, remaining undefeated in the last seven games. However, Suber does not see any changes in training. He attributes the success to team chemistry and the fact that the players are getting to know each other better.
“I don’t think there was anything that stood out. I just think everyone started to understand each other’s chemistry and everything got a lot better in the locker room. We scored more goals and got more shutouts, which will obviously help us in the games,” Suber said.
Suber attributes the team’s strengthening defense to the continued building of chemistry and culture.
“I think we have a pretty good culture here and everything Bob is trying to teach us,” Suber said. “Everyone is trying to get on the same page. But yeah, I think the culture has grown a lot in the last few games.”
The overall defensive numbers are strikingly similar to those of Lilley’s previous teams in Pittsburgh.
The team will not be able to match the defensive results of Lilley’s first year. In 32 games, it has allowed 26 goals (0.76 per game), which is the Hounds’ best total in a full season. But it is on pace to do better than the 2021 and 2022 teams (1.06 and 1.12 per game, respectively), and it is the fifth time in seven seasons that the team has allowed less than a goal per game.
The Hounds still play strong defense and understand the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities in front of the net so shutouts count as wins and not ties. Heading into their final nine games, the Hounds feel the urgency and need to find new ways to hold on.
“Now it’s just urgent. We know it’s crucial now and we’re close to the playoffs. We’re more aggressive, know where we stand now and just take it day by day,” Osumanu said.
“We know we have to make a big run in the last nine games if we want to make the playoffs,” Suber said. “Everyone is super focused. We know we’re under pressure, but as a professional you have to live up to the pressure.”
Article written by Riverhounds staff Jameson Keebler.
