Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-4-10) took a one-goal lead before FC Cincinnati (18-3-6) came storming back for the 2-1 victory on Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The Hounds’ tally came from the foot of Romeo Parkes, who posted his fourth goal of the season. Here’s how Pittsburgh found its way on the board this weekend.
57’ Romeo Parkes assisted by Kenardo Forbes
Starting with a give and go, the Hounds began to break down the FC Cincinnati defense.
After playing the ball to Thomas Vancaeyezeele (orange arrow), Kenardo Forbes (yellow arrow) sprints to an open area vacated by the FC Cincinnati defense. As Forbes reaches this space, Vancaeyezeele anticipates his run, immediately sending the ball back in his direction.
Seen above, three Cincinnati athletes have their eyes on Forbes and their backs on Parkes (green arrow), allowing for the Pittsburgh striker to settle in near the center of the 18-yard box. Forbes sees Parkes and hits him with a pass, which the forward will one-time into the back of the net to put the Hounds up 1-0.
The Other Side
Once Pittsburgh found its way onto the scoresheet, FC Cincinnati fired up its offense.
The Queen City squad’s first goal of the match stemmed from a free kick opportunity at the border of its attacking third. Taking the set piece, Emmanuel Ledesma booted a ball into the penalty box and found the head of defender Dekel Keinan, who despite being well marked placed it by Pittsburgh goalkeeper Mike Kirk to tie the score at 1-1 in the 80th minute.
FC Cincinnati took the lead eight minutes later, as second-half substitute Fanendo Adi alluded Pittsburgh defenders near the top of the 18-yard box before sending a powerful shot into the net, ultimately giving his club the 2-1 victory.
Tale of the Tape
FC Cincinnati may have fallen behind momentarily in the second half, but the squad did end up outshooting Pittsburgh, 6-5, over the final-45 minutes. It also recorded one more shot on target during this period.
Pittsburgh’s best chance to jump out on its opposition may have been during the first half, as it led the total shots battle, 7-3, and shots on goal battle, 3-1, during this time. Add in a missed second-half penalty kick opportunity to this scoreless half and the Hounds could not muster enough to defeat FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium.
