PITTSBURGH (August 5, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-13-4) could not withstand a second half rally by Louisville City FC (13-3-6), allowing two unanswered in the match’s final 45 minutes to fall 2-1 at Highmark Stadium.
Notching the lone goal for Pittsburgh was Corey Hertzog in the 27th minute off a Mike Green feed, while Louisville’s George Davis IV scored two in the 56th minute and 82nd minute, respectively.
Hertzog got the Hounds on the board thanks to some beautiful passing from both Green and Danny Earls. Just inside midfield, Earls launched a ball from the left across the pitch right on target to a streaking Green. The Hounds defender secured the reception soundly, one-touching with his right foot before firing a low cross to Hertzog, who would tally with a sliding finish past goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh.
For Hertzog, the goal marked his team-leading seventh on the season and his second in as many matches.
The Hounds entered halftime with the lead for a second-straight match, withstanding a barrage of chances by Louisville thanks to seven first half corners – the most allowed to an opponent in one half this season. Louisville’s pressure continued into the second half though, eventually seeing Davis IV push his way through multiple Hounds defenders into the box to flick a shot past Vargas.
Misfortune for the Hounds struck again in the 65th minute when Green was called for a foul in the box on Chandler Hoffman, as both players fought for possession. After a lengthy discussion by officials, Green was eventually sent off with a red card, leaving Pittsburgh down a man for the remainder of the match.
Picking up Green in spectacular fashion was Mauricio Vargas, who stonewalled Hoffman’s penalty take with a great read to his right and diving stop. Pittsburgh, rejuvenated, then earned a free kick just outside the 18 in the 75th minute, as second half sub Nick Thompson hustled his way through multiple Louisville defenders to earn the set piece.
Hertzog, looking for his second of the match, put a strong take on goal, forcing Ranjitsingh to fully extend to his left, but the shot would go just wide. Minutes later, Davis IV gave Louisville the lead for good, finishing off a useful through-ball by Aodhan Quinn in the box. The visitor’s second tally of the night came thanks to an unfortunate bounce with Davis IV’s shot deflecting off of Ryan Adeleye and over Vargas.
Struggling to find space down a man, the Hounds were able to conjure up a golden opportunity in the 89th minute. Kevin Kerr fired a long ball into the box, finding the head of Nick Thompson, who set up Duwayne Ewart with a chance right on Ranjitsingh. The Hounds forward, who replaced Marshall Hollingsworth only moments before, put a spirited take on net, but Ranjitsingh was able to range to his left for a strong save and secure the victory.
Of note, along with being without the services of Green in the next match, Lebo Moloto earned his fifth yellow card of the season in the 80th minute and will receive a one-game suspension due to card accumulation.
The Hounds now look at a quick turnaround, as they will face FC Montreal (2-17-1) on the road on Wednesday, August 10 at 7 p.m. before returning home for a date against Bethlehem Steel FC (6-8-7) on Saturday, August 13 at 7 p.m.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Mauricio Vargas – Marshall Hollingsworth (Duwayne Ewart 88′), Ryan Adeleye, Willie Hunt, Michael Green – Danny Earls, Stephen Okai (Zak Boggs 72′), Kevin Kerr, Lebo Moloto (Jack Thompson 81′) – Corey Hertzog, Alejandro Aguilar (Nick Thompson 61′)
Subs not used: Hunter Gilstrap, Alex Harlley, Nick Kolarac
Louisville City FC – Greg Ranjitsingh – Kyle Smith, Conor Shanosky (Paco Craig 80′), Sean Reynolds , Ben Newman – Aodhan Quinn, Paolo DelPiccolo, Mark Anthony Kaye (Kadeem Dacres 73′), Niall McCabe (Cameron Lancaster 74′), George Davis IV (Andrew Lubahn 85′) – Chandler Hoffman
Subs not used: Tim Dobrowolski, Tarek Morad, Ilija Illic
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Corey Hertzog 27′ – (Mike Green)
LOU – George Davis IV 56′
LOU – George Davis IV 82′ (Aodhan Quinn)
Misconduct Summary:
LOU – Aodhan Quinn 21′ (Caution)
PGH – Michael Green 68′ (Red Card)
LOU – Sean Reynolds 75′ (Caution)
PGH – Lebo Moloto 80′ (Caution)
LOU – George Davis 84′ (Caution)
Cleveland Brothers “Blue Collar Player of the Game” – Corey Hertzog
Post-Game Quote Sheet
Dave Brandt
On tonight’s match…
I’m proud of the guys’ effort. We were unfortunate in a couple of ways. We battled well. We started the game really well. Right now that’s a little bit at our capacity, and our tendency not to be able to keep our foot on the gas.
On the team’s effort the past couple weeks…
I think it is a group that has put feeling sorry for themselves, and any differences among them, behind them. They decided to bond together, and make a real run at making this season mean something. It would be a huge building block for next year. I’m really proud of them.
On conceding second half goals…
Honestly, I am proud of them, but it’s on us, we need to do better. We stopped doing little things. And you do that, you get a little tired, and you start cheating a little bit. But we didn’t double down with the first goal, and we were late on the back side. Those are not things that are unlucky. Those were things that weren’t done well enough. So we paid by giving up a goal.
Kevin Kerr
On Vargas’ penalty save…
It gives you a massive lift. As soon as a [penalty kick] goes in, heads are dropping. He saves that, and everyone is re-energized, and ready to go again
On the team’s performance…
The boys did well. I’ve been up here a lot after the games, and I haven’t always been able to say that we deserve something from the game. The few times, especially at the start of the year where we got beat. Today, I think we deserved something. The performance was there, the opportunities were there, but over in the end.
Corey Hertzog
On recent scoring…
At Wilmington, we came on the field, we played well. When have we won a game 4 – 1, away from home? You’re going to feel pretty confident coming into training that week, and coming into this game. I think it was a layover from last game, and we played well. We were just unlucky. The [second] goal they scored was unlucky. It was not a good goal. Adeleye came across, Mauricio tried to come back, Willie tried to flick it. It is just disappointing. I felt like we deserved at least a point out of that game. It’s just disappointing.
On his goal…
I think Kevin [Kerr] and Danny [Earls] played a quick one. Then Danny played a long ball to [Mike] Green. Just in training, he is trying to get down the line. After his touch, to put it in the box, I just figured to get there as quick as possible. It was a great ball by him, and made my ball all that easier. It was a great ball by everyone around. Credit to all of them.
