MONTCLAIR, N.J. (September 30, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (8-11-11) saw their winless streak extend to five in a 2-0 heartbreaking defeat to New York Red Bulls II (12-12-5) at MSU Soccer Park.
Out-possessed 62-to-39 percent, including holding only a 28 percent share in the first half, the Hounds could not withstand a steady Red Bulls attack, ceding an own goal in the 25th minute and an insurance tally from Florian Valot in second-half stoppage time.
Putting in a stellar effort from the get-go was goalkeeper Matt Perrella in his sixth start for Pittsburgh. Playing in his hometown state of New Jersey, the New Brunswick native kept things scoreless early with a beautiful kick save of a Stefen Bonomo breakaway in the match’s first 10 minutes.
Overwhelming pressure from Red Bulls II proved to be too much though in the 25th minute. Midfielder Vincent Bezecourt queued up the fifth corner of the match to that point for New York, ticketing his take from the right side to the near post. Hounds Tobi Adewole and Abuchi Obinwa did well to mark the intended attacker in Bonomo, but the ball took an unfortunate ping off the latter’s head and into the back of the goal for the match’s first tally.
Despite the offensive flood from Red Bulls II, the Hounds were able to escape into the break down only a goal. Pittsburgh allowed 16 shots, two on goal, while the club was silent on offense registering one shot, blocked, in the match’s first 45 minutes.
The second half saw a much different Hounds squad out of the gate, as the pitch leveled considerably with both teams battling at midfield. Shifts in possession unfortunately did not equate to chances on frame though, as they finished the match with seven more shots registered, but none on goal for the first time this season.
Perrella kept up his strong play with four more saves in the second half, including a dazzling, elevated effort to parry away a powerful blast from midfielder Dan Metzger in the 79th minute. He finished the match with six saves total to tie a single-game high by a Hounds keeper – North Carolina FC loanee Macklin Robinson being the other on July 4 against Charlotte.
After second-half sub Dilly Duka for New York nearly extended the deficit to two in the 82nd minute, chipping his take on a yawning frame wide left, the Hounds had a golden miss of their own.
Picking up their fourth and final corner of the match in the 85th minute, Kevin Kerr’s cross from the right found the head of Chevaughn Walsh. The Jamaican forward struck his take true for the back post, where Corey Hertzog stood in front of an open net. Attempting to redirect the header into the open goal, Hertzog’s shot was too strong, shooting up and hitting the bottom of the crossbar and back into play. The ball took a fortunate bounce back to Walsh, but his second try on net was blocked away.
The Hounds would attempt to threaten again in stoppage time, but to no avail. Valot’s insurance tally came in the waning moments of the match, ensuring the New York’s fifth straight win at home.
With the loss, the Hounds’ playoff hopes took a major hit, as the club currently remains four points out of postseason position with only two games remaining.
Also of note, Adewole had to exit the match early due to injury in the 62nd minute. He was helped off the pitch by the training staff. Further updates on his status will be provided when available.
The Hounds cap off the 2017 campaign with back-to-back matches at home, first welcoming the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday, Oct. 7 to Highmark Stadium for “Kick for Cancer” Night, presented by Allegheny Health Network. Tickets to the match are still available and can be found at www.riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds – Matt Perrella – Taylor Washington, Gale Agbossoumonde, Joe Greenspan, Tobi Adewole (Shannon Gomez 62’) – Abuchi Obinwa (Stephen Okai 46’) – Romeo Parkes, Victor Souto, Kevin Kerr, Kenroy Howell (Chevaughn Walsh 58’) – Corey Hertzog
Subs not used: Brenden Alfery, Danny Earls, Ben Fitzpatrick, Jack Thompson
New York Red Bulls II – Evan Louro – David Najem, Hassan Ndam, Jordan Scarlett, Noah Powder – Dan Metzger, Andrew Tinari (Timothy Schmoll 85’) – Junior Flemmings (Dilly Duka 77’), Vincent Bezecourt, Florian Valot – Stefan Bonomo (Douglas Martínez 71’)
Subs not used: Rafael Diaz, Arun Basuljevic, Ethan Kutler, Zeiko Lewis
Scoring Summary:
NY – Abuchi Obinwa (Own goal) – 25’
NY – Florian Valot (Dilly Duka) – 90+’
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Taylor Washington (Caution) – 57’
PGH – Chevaughn Walsh (Caution) – 78’
PGH – Romeo Parkes (Caution) – 86’
