The Pittsburgh Riverhounds moved Friday night’s United Soccer Leagues Second Division home match about two hours north of the Steel City to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s Sox Harrison Stadium and welcomed a huge gathering of soccer campers and their families at the PA West Open Tournament. Unfortunately, the Kickers defeated the Hounds 2-1. On a perfect night in Erie County, the sides did not disappoint the 1,518 in attendance, providing an exciting evening.
The Kickers struck first as Pittsburgh allowed a soft goal early in the contest. Richmond forward Adrian Bumbut, sliding to the right corner, laid a soft cross into the goal box. Pittsburgh keeper Danny Waltman and the Hound’s defensive third were indecisive in managing the ball allowing Matthew Delicate to sneak down the middle and easily score a short blooper in the 6thminute.
Richmond’s goal apparently awakened the Riverhound’s offense which built several quality chances and then finished off a speedy attack as midfielder Jason Kutney’s cross was centered perfectly to striker Randolph Jerome in the 21stminute. Jerome banged it past Ronnie Pascale and Pittsburgh tied the match at 1-1.
The Kickers reclaimed the lead on a set piece play in the 33rd minute. Mike Burke’s corner kick went to the head of Gerson Dos Santos who directed it to the right post and the foot of Delicate who scored his second goal of the night.
The action remained heated despite a scoreless second half. Joey Worthen, who spent time with the Hounds before moving up to Real Salt Lake in MLS, almost gave the Kickers their third goal, as he anticipated a Pittsburgh pass and on a near breakaway, blasted the ball toward Waltman. However, Worthen’s shot jammed off of the left post and bounced out of play in the 57th minute.
Late in the match, Pittsburgh missed on several quality opportunities, including a pair of corner kicks and throw-ins that resulted in header attempts that went out of play.
It was the third match between the two sides this season. Their first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in Richmond on April 25th. On June 14th, the Kickers drilled the Hounds 2-0 at Chartiers Valley Stadium.
Pittsburgh is now 3-5-3 (12-points). Richmond improved to 5-2-5 (20-points) in USL-2.
The Riverhounds next travel to the island nation of Bermuda to face the Hogges in two matches on July 2nd and 4th. Then they face Real Maryland on July 11th and Harrisburg on July 18th on the road. They finally return home, Chartiers Valley Stadium, on July 24th and 26th when they host the Western Mass Pioneers for two games. In fact, the last five regular season games for the Hounds will all be at home. After Western Mass, Pittsburgh will host Wilmington on August 1st, Charlotte on August 8th, and Crystal Palace Baltimore on August 15th.
