ORLANDO, Fla. (July 8, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (5-7-5) scrapped their way to a scoreless draw on the road against Orlando City B (5-6-6) at Orlando City Stadium.
Weathering an Orlando City storm, both literally and figuratively, as the match was initially delayed by more than a half-hour due to lightning, the Hounds limited the hosts to only one shot on goal despite being out possessed 61-to-39 percent.
The clubs combined for 16 shots total, but only three on frame with the Hounds holding the advantage in both categories (9-to-7 and 2-to-1).
Picking up play in the 30th minute, defender Jamal Jack made a strong effort to negate a clear chance for Orlando to tally the first goal of the match. Finding himself with space in the center of the box was Orlando midfielder Lewis Neal, who wasted no time firing a low shot ticketed for the right side of the goal. Jack moved to his right to deflect the take just over the bar for a corner.
In the second half, the post would play spoiler this time for Orlando, as Hadji Barry connected cleanly on a header beating everything but the far post in the 49th minute.
Appearing to hold serve for a draw heading into the match’s final moments, the Hounds awoke in second-half stoppage time to nearly walk away with three points. First, Kevin Kerr made a nice run to spring behind the Orlando defense off the counter, eventually flicking a ball from distance that glanced off the top of the crossbar.
Corey Hertzog followed Kerr’s chance only moments later. The forward, coming off the bench for the first time this season, received the ball deep in the box via a nice touch pass from Kenroy Howell only to see his point-blank take deflected wide to ensure the scoreless tie.
Of note, goalkeeper Keasel Broome returned from international duty with the Barbados National Team to post his second straight clean sheet for the Hounds. The result was also the club’s sixth overall shutout on the season.
Highlighting the back four’s efforts was rookie defender Tobi Adewole in only his second start of the year. The George Washington product finished the match leading the team in clearances (five) including negating potential breakaway opportunities for Orlando in the 26th and 68th minutes.
Pittsburgh next continues its three-game road swing against red-hot Bethlehem Steel FC (7-6-2), who are unbeaten in their last six contests. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at Goodman Stadium. For more information on the Hounds’ upcoming slate of games, visit www.riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds – Keasel Broome – Taylor Washington, Jamal Jack, Tobi Adewole, Mike Green – Jack Thompson (Kenroy Howell 66’), Danny Earls, Victor Souto, Kevin Kerr – Chevaughn Walsh (Marshall Hollingsworth 85’), Romeo Parkes (Corey Hertzog 64’)
Subs not used: Hunter Gilstrap, Gale Agbossoumonde, Shannon Gomez, Stephen Okai
Orlando City B – Earl Edwards Jr. – Seb Hines, Léo Pereira, Timbó, Rafael Ramos (Zachary-Ellis Hayden 54’) – Lewis Neal, Tony Rocha (Jordan Schweitzer 46’), Paul Clowes, Austin Martz (Danny Deakin 83’) – Richie Laryea, Hadji Barry
Subs not used: Jake Fenlason, Albert Dikwa, Conor Donovan, Ben Polk
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Danny Earls (Caution) – 60’
PGH – Mike Green (Caution) – 71’
ORL – Timbó (Caution) – 78’
PGH – Taylor Washington (Caution) – 84’
