PITTSBURGH (September 16, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (8-9-11) saw a late lead slip away against the Rochester Rhinos (11-5-10), playing to 1-1 draw at Highmark Stadium.
After Kevin Kerr netted the first tally of the match in the 71st minute, the Hounds looked well on their way to their first win of September only to have the party spoiled in the 90th minute off a pinpoint header from Rochester’s Joe Farrell.
In what could only be described as chess match at midfield, the first 70 minutes of play saw both teams scrap to scoreless gridlock. Save for a couple chances from Rochester, including Wal Fall’s header on a corner pinging off the top of the crossbar (35’) and goalkeeper Matt Perrella extending to tip a dangerous shot on frame from Kenardo Forbes (64’), neither club had much in the way of high-quality chances.
The first substitutions of the night for either side dramatically shifted the tone, as the Hounds called attackers Kenroy Howell and Kay Banjo on for Stephen Okai and Chevaughn Walsh, respectively, in the 67th minute.
Kerr’s tally would come only minutes later, as Howell worked possession through a host of defenders down the left side of the pitch. Pushing play into the edge of the box, Howell threaded a pass to Kerr, who quickly flicked onto Banjo for a gorgeous give-and-go in traffic. Banjo’s return service was placed perfectly in space for the captain to then fire a spirited take past Rochester keeper Dan Lynd for the first tally of the match.
For Kerr, the goal was his second in his past three games at home, while Banjo’s helper marked his sixth point in only the 15th appearance of his rookie campaign.
The Hounds did well to bend, but not break in the ensuing barrage of the pressure from Rochester, including defender Jack Thompson making a critical clear on the goal line off a corner in the 79th minute. Unfortunately the 1-nil score would not hold, as the Rhinos finally broke through in the waning moments of the second half.
Powering his way through multiple defenders to the right of the box was forward Christiano Francois, who created himself just enough space to split defenders Thompson and Tobi Adewole with a cross into Farrell. The Rhino center back dove to his right to meet the ball in the air, placing his corner deftly into the left side of the night to ensure a point for both sides.
With the draw, the Hounds remain entrenched in the playoff hunt, as only a point separates the club from eighth-place Orlando City B in the conference table.
Now the Hounds shift their focus to a critical two-game road stretch against two teams ahead of them in the East, beginning next weekend with a trip to Bethlehem to face Steel FC (10-11-5) on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Goodman Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
More information on the upcoming slate of matches for Pittsburgh can be found by visiting www.riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds – Matt Perrella – Jack Thompson, Jamal Jack, Tobi Adewole, Shannon Gomez (Danny Earls 83’) – Kevin Kerr, Victor Souto, Stephen Okai (Kenroy Howell 67’), Romeo Parkes – Chevaughn Walsh (Kay Banjo 67’), Corey Hertzog
Subs not used: Brenden Alfery, Gale Agbossoumonde, Ritchie Duffie, Taylor Washington
Rochester Rhinos – Daniel Lynd – Sergio Campbell, Joe Farrell, Ryan Felix – Ryan James, Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Wal Fall (Rayane Boukemia 77’), Kenardo Forbes, Sofiane Tergou (Julian Büscher 77’) – Christiano Francois, Jochen Graf
Subs not used: Tomas Gomez, Stefan Defregger, Jordan Dover, Mike Garzi, Todd Pratzner
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Kevin Kerr 71’ (Kay Banjo)
ROC – Joe Farrell 90’ (Christiano Francois)
Misconduct Summary:
ROC – Sofiane Tergou 73’ (caution)
Cleveland Brothers “Blue Collar Player of the Game”
Quote Sheet
Head coach Dave Brandt
On the gameplay and Rochester’s late goal…
“It was a bit of a chess match. Weren’t many opportunities for either team. It was a great goal, so right at that point that would’ve been a super result for us.”
On subbing Kenroy Howell and Kay Banjo into the match…
“Kenroy is a very creative player and has consistently trained well. Both of those guys have been fantastic, and so it wasn’t a hard decision for me to get them into the game.”
On how to potentially defeat Rochester…
“Some of it at this point especially against Rochester – you got a Pittsburgh/Rochester game – is just fighting and hanging in there and getting the goal and then closing it out. We were close – we all know it. But close doesn’t count.”
Midfielder Kevin Kerr
On his goal…
“It was Rochester, we weren’t going to get many chances. I was quite confident I’d get one, and I thought Kay was brilliant when he came on. He’s a big, strong boy. He’s a great halfback. Just trying to get a clean strike on it and luckily it went across the goalie and in the far corner.”
On Howell and Banjo…
“I thought today both of those boys were brilliant. Kay won a lot of free kicks up top and is a big strong boy and held the ball up when we needed it.”
On helping out on the offensive and defensive ends…
“I feel comfortable playing anywhere. I’ve been here a good while now. I got a decent bit of experience. I’ve told the guys many times I’m willing to play wherever.”
