Pittsburgh, PA (September 12, 2026) — Loudoun United FC pushed for an equalizer throughout the night but fell 1-0 to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at F.N.B. Stadium.
Match Summary
Pittsburgh opened the scoring in the eighth minute when they found the bottom corner from outside the box, giving the Riverhounds an early 1-0 advantage. Loudoun responded with an opportunity of its own in the 15th minute when Abdellatif Aboukoura found Bolu Akinyode in the box, but Akinyode’s header was saved by the Pittsburgh goalkeeper.
Loudoun came inches away from finding the equalizer in the 34th minute when Aboukoura delivered a cross into the box following a corner, and Eddy Davis III connected with a left-footed effort that struck the post. Loudoun continued to push before the break, with Aboukoura sending an effort wide in the 45th minute, but Pittsburgh carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Loudoun remained on the front foot in the second half as they searched for a way back into the match. Giorgi Lomtadze had a pair of opportunities before the 70-minute mark, while Aboukoura sent an effort over the bar in the 71st minute. Pittsburgh threatened to double its advantage in the 76th minute, but Jordan Farr denied the close-range header to keep Loudoun within one.
Loudoun continued to apply pressure down the stretch. Davis sent a header over the bar in the 79th minute before Aboukoura came close again in second-half stoppage time, sending a long-range effort just over the crossbar. Loudoun was unable to find the equalizer as Pittsburgh held on for the 1-0 result.
Thoughts from the Club
Head Coach Anthony Limbrick on the match:
“I thought it was a really tight match with very few quality chances for either team. The difference was they came up with a little bit of magic and scored their goal from a mistake from us, and we couldn’t capitalize on any of their mistakes. I thought, in a very tight game, we created enough chances to win the game. We defended the box well, and we went for it at the end trying to get back into it. I think we got down the sides and created enough chances where we should have at least scored. I’m disappointed we couldn’t grind that one out because, for us, I think we should have been the team that won 1-0.”
Defender Akil Watts on the performance:
“I thought in the first half we played more into their game, playing it long, and we could have kept the ball a lot more. In the second half, we came out a lot stronger. I thought we controlled the game and had chances to get back into it and even take the lead. We didn’t take those chances, so we just have to keep moving forward and getting better every week.”
Notes
Liam Butts made his Loudoun United FC debut.
Rida Zouhir made his Loudoun United FC debut.
Kwame Awuah tied Zach Ryan for the most appearances in Loudoun United FC history.
Bolu Akinyode is five appearances away from reaching 300 career appearances across all USL competitions.
Abdellatif Aboukoura is one goal away from tying Zach Ryan for the most all-time goals in Loudoun United FC history across all competitions.
Abdellatif Aboukoura’s next goal will set the USL Championship record for the most goals scored by a player under 22 in league history.
About Loudoun United FC
Loudoun United FC is the highest-level professional soccer club in Virginia, competing in the USL Championship. The club is committed to advancing the game, developing top talent, and providing a high-quality experience for players, supporters, and the local community. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.loudoununitedfc.com.
