ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 29, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (5-8-8) saw their four-game unbeaten streak come to a close, falling 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (9-5-7) at Al Lang Stadium.
Midfielder Alex Morrell recorded a goal in each half for Tampa Bay. He opened the scoring in the 11th minute before adding an insurance tally in the 76th minute.
The Hounds were on their heels to start the first half of action, conceding a 65-35 percent share in possession to the home side. Tampa Bay took advantage quickly, as Marcel Schäfer worked his way deep into the left side of the box. Cutting in for a tough-angled shot, Schäfer’s take deflected off goalkeeper Trey Mitchell to Morrell for an easy finish into the open frame.
Morrell’s tally in the 11th minute marked the ninth time the Hounds had conceded a goal within the first 20 minutes of action – the club now holds a 1-4-3 record in such instances.
The Hounds opened the second half much stronger, being jumpstarted by the switch at the half of Gale Agbossoumonde, who drew yellow in the 44th minute, for Kevin Kerr. Kerr made an immediate impact, drawing a foul just from the edge of the box to open the final 45 minutes of the match.
Though unable to capitalize on that chance after defender Tobi Adewole was whistled for a foul in the box, the Hounds continued to pressure. The club’s success was reflected in their possession advantage of 51-49 percent and outshooting the Rowdies 11-to-3, including four shots on frame.
In the 56th minute, Corey Hertzog translated strong possession at midfield into a useful ball to Romeo Parkes just outside the box. Parkes received the pass on the bounce, firing his shot directly at Tampa Bay goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who coughed up a juicy rebound, but no Hounds were there to take advantage before being cleared.
After weathering a Tampa Bay storm on the defensive end, including Jamal Jack saving a potential goal with a last-second block in the 67th minute, the Hounds’ best chance for an equalizer followed soon afterward in the 70th minute.
Kerr, again, was the point of generation, working a beautiful diagonal ball to Taylor Washington deep in the left side of the box. Washington wasted little time, sending a low across to Chevaughn Walsh, who along with appearing to be mixed up with Hertzog at the point of contact, was unable to get a clean shot off on the point-blank chance.
The Rowdies would follow minutes later with their second goal of the night, as Schäfer’s cross resulted in a nice finish from Morrell at the far post for the brace.
With the loss, Pittsburgh snapped its four-game unbeaten streak – all draws – while also finishing the month of July winless at 0-2-4.
The Hounds will return to action against the Richmond Kickers at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 5 at Highmark Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds – Trey Mitchell – Taylor Washington, Tobi Adewole, Gale Agbossoumonde (Kevin Kerr 45’), Jamal Jack – Romeo Parkes, Victor Souto (Danny Earls 78’), Stephen Okai, Mike Green – Corey Hertzog, Kay Banjo (Chevaughn Walsh 58’)
Subs not used: Keasel Broome, Shannon Gomez, Marshall Hollingsworth, Jack Thompson
Tampa Bay Rowdies – Matt Pickens – Zachary Portillos, Neill Collins, Tamika Mkandawire, Kyle Porter – Justin Chavez, Marcel Schäfer – Alex Morrell (Martin Vingaard 90+’), Joe Cole (Michael Nanchoff 79’), Georgi Hristov – Martin Paterson (Walter Restrepo 71’)
Subs not used: Akira Fitzgerald, Darwin Jones, Darnell King, Damion Lowe
Scoring Summary:
TBR – Alex Morrell – 11’
TBR – Alex Morrell (Marcel Schäfer) – 76’
Misconduct Summary:
TBR – Tamika Mkandawire (Caution) – 3’
PGH – Gale Agbossoumonde (Caution) – 44’
TBR – Kyle Porter (Caution) – 67’
TBR – Matt Pickens (Caution) – 75’
PGH – Tobi Adewole (Caution) – 75’
