Riverhounds are Keystone Derby champions

August 13, 2017 | By Rachael McKriger

After five draws in the last six matches, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds were in desperation mode for six points.

Last night, on an important night for the club, they got all three points.

What a place to do it too. At FNB Field, in the Keystone Derby finale, the Riverhounds defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders, their in-state rival, by a final of 0-3.

“I feel like it’s back where it belongs,” said Kevin Kerr, the captain of the Hounds. “I feel that we were the better team over there. Tonight, the boys were top drawer. That was maybe our best performance. We’re buzzing, the boys really stepped up.”

The Keystone Derby Cup is coming back to Highmark Stadium, thanks to the help of Chevaughn Walsh and Romeo Parkes.

Parkes put up the first point of the match, scoring an unassisted goal in the 28’ minute. His fellow Jamaican international, Chevaughn Walsh, then recorded a brace in the second half, with goals in the 56’ and 76’ minute.

Walsh’s first goal was unassisted, while the second was assisted by Parkes.

“I’m happy, I’ve been working on finishing the whole week, day in and day out,” Walsh said. “We got chances, numerous, but we need to execute better. But it’s a good feeling.”

Other members to record shots on goal, but were saved by Islanders goalkeeper Brandon Miller, were Kay Banjo, Ritchie Duffie, Kerr and Shannon Gomez.

“I think we’ve been working on our particular thing, of how we’re doing things off the field and what it’s supposed to look like on the field,” said head coach Dave Brandt. “I think it’s been almost there, almost there – even tonight. You saw us miss way too many chances. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pleased with the win. I’m pleased with three goals and I’m pleased with the clean sheet. If we can be better in those key moments, we have a chance to be a really good team.”

As for the Islanders, only two players – Ropapa Mensah and Jonathan Mendoza – recorded shots on goal, but were saved by Riverhounds goalkeeper Trey Mitchell.

The Islanders also picked up all four yellow cards in the match, going to Mensah (41’), James Thomas (61’), Lee Nishanian (85’) and Paul Wilson (87’).

The Riverhounds gained three points in the match, helping them inch closer to an Eastern Conference playoff spot in the USL. Currently, the Riverhounds sit in 11th place, with 27 points. The team that currently is just above the playoff line, in 8th place, is the New York Red Bulls II, with 28 points.

The Riverhounds will return to action on the road, Saturday, against St. Louis FC, who sit in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. The match is slated to kick off at 8:30 p.m. at World Wide Technology S.P.

However, before then, the Riverhounds will enjoy their time as Keystone Derby champions.