Despite fresh faces in the starting XI and fatigue from travel, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds did just enough. In the Arch City, Pittsburgh scored early to defeat Columbus Crew 2, 1-0, in the Third Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Lower.com Field on Tuesday.
A curling corner kick from Jorge Garcia took a deflection before being flicked towards the net by Pittsburgh captain Danny Griffin. Columbus goalkeeper Luke Pruter was unable to secure the loose ball, giving the Riverhounds a lead in the 28th minute representing the only score of the match.
Griffin said that the direction of Garcia’s corner allowed him to put the ball out of reach of Pruter.
“I know that Jorge can play crosses with either foot so obviously he was going to go with an in-swinging ball. He can go either left or right no matter what side he is on,” Griffin said. “I knew that he was going to whip one hard. My job was just to get in front of the man and once I saw it hard and low I knew I just had to redirect it. I was fortunate to get it into the corner where it was harder for the keeper to save.”
Griffin’s goal served as the game winner as the Hounds backed up his effort with stout defense. They did not concede a single Columbus shot during the first half of play, much to the relief of goalkeeper Jacob Randolph in his season debut. Randolph made three crucial saves in the second half to maintain Pittsburgh’s advantage.
The netminder was grateful to earn his first career win with the Riverhounds.
“It’s huge. Last year I played in a few games and got my first career shutout. This is my second one but more importantly it is my first win,” Randolph said. “I take great pride in that. Especially in such a historic competition like the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.”
The rotated Pittsburgh squad earned just the fifth road victory in the club’s 21 Cup appearances. Tuesday’s match was the second of four consecutive road fixtures.
With the victory, Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley earned his 23rd career US Open Cup win as a coach. He now moves into a tie for fifth place on the Modern Era’s coaching wins table with Adrian Heath. Lilley said the extended road trip is already a challenge for his team.
“We had to be selective when we pressed with some guys. We would not have been able to make it with our five subs for even 90 minutes if we did not manage this game for some players,” said Lilley. “We had a balance of some experienced players today that also played in Charleston. It is a bit of a sacrifice because now we have to wonder how much they will have in their legs for Saturday in Loudon (Virginia), who is in first place.
“The league is very important to us as well. It is difficult how they schedule these weeks. It would be easier if we had a couple of home games but when they are all on the road, it is a challenge.”
Pittsburgh endured a major blow late in the second half as Midfielder Junior Etou suffered an injury and was substituted off the pitch in stoppage time.
Lilley said that the club did not have an official update yet but initial evaluations were not positive.
“It does not look good. I think he is probably going to be out for a while,” Lilley said.
The Pittsburgh victory ends Columbus’ first venture into the 111-year-old tournament. The Capybarras finish the tournament 2-1-0 while Pittsburgh improved its all-time Cup record to 18-18-3.
Tuesday’s fixture was not the first time the Riverhounds have eliminated a Columbus team from the tournament. Pittsburgh hosted Columbus’ First Team in 2023, defeating them by the same scoreline of 1-0.
Pittsburgh awaits their Round of 32 opponent which will be decided via draw on Thursday as all 16 MLS sides will enter the tournament. The Round of 32 will take place May 6-7.