A late Saturday arrival by Las Vegas forced USL officials to move the scheduled Saturday night meeting to Sunday, and the disruption did little to shake the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ focus. Augi Williams converted a penalty in the 30th minute and that lone strike proved decisive as Pittsburgh held on for a 1-0 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC at Highmark Stadium, giving the Hounds back-to-back wins.
Williams’ penalty came after Junior Etou sliced toward the end line and was clipped by Younes Boudadi, drawing an immediate spot-kick from referee Amin Hadzic. Williams placed his attempt into the bottom right corner past Raiko Arozarena to register his team-leading eighth goal of the campaign and extend his perfect penalty record to 3-for-3 for the season.
Jacob Randolph was steady and dependable throughout, making four saves to secure his third shutout across all competitions this season and his first clean sheet in USL Championship play for the Hounds (10-9-7). Randolph’s work was particularly important late, including a low, traffic-heavy stop on Giorgio Probo in the 81st minute and a full-extension denial of Brigham Larsen in stoppage time.
The Hounds controlled the match rhythm and territorial numbers, outshooting Las Vegas 19-6 and spending much of the second half in the Lights’ final third. Pittsburgh threatened to double the lead early in the second half when Bradley Sample’s strike rattled the crossbar after a late run into the box, and Chase Boone’s header later set up Guillaume Vacter for a volley that sailed over the bar.
Junior Etou was named Modelo Man of the Match after an energetic 80-minute shift on the left. Etou won the penalty, posted four touches in the opponent’s box, registered six defensive clearances and won nine of 12 duels, providing the balance and bite that allowed the Hounds to dominate possession and sustain pressure.
On a shortened turnaround, Pittsburgh now heads south to face Miami FC next Saturday at 7 p.m., a game that arrives after a condensed week of recovery and preparation. The Riverhounds travel with momentum from consecutive wins and a clean sheet, while Las Vegas (6-13-7) will regroup from travel troubles and a tough away defeat.