(July 14, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Academy League side made a little history by playing its first-ever home match in USL Academy League play Wednesday night at Highmark Stadium, but the team fell in its home debut, 6-1, to the Louisville City FC Academy.
The Hounds pulled a goal back on a Matty Lucas header early in the second half that cut the lead to 3-1, but the visitors from Kentucky answered soon afterward and continued to add to their lead.
First half
Louisville grasped the early advantage, but the Hounds were able to hold them off the board for some time before Anthony Cano dribbled between defenders and scored from inside the box. The Hounds spent time scrambling for a ball connection, but Louisville continued offensively to have the edge with a 14-3 margin in shots.
Wyatt Borso proceeded with a breakaway opportunity just off the post, before Louisville goalie John Jeffus covered the ball to stop the Hounds’ best chance. Matthew Johnson and Hunter Sekelsky scored for Louisville to make it 3-0 at halftime.
Second half
Thanks to a swift change in momentum, the Hounds won an early free kick, and Lucas finished off a free kick served across by Ben Feinstein. The Hounds nearly got a second goal, but a good effort by Didi Flowers from the top of the box hit the left post and went wide.
Louisville was quick to recover, however, as Sebastian Sanchez made it 4-1. A goal by Tyler Stinnett and a late second by Sekelsky finished the scoring, though Louisville only outshot the Hounds 5-4 in the second half.
What’s next?
The Riverhounds look ahead to their 2 p.m. Saturday matchup against Kings Hammer FC at Highmark Stadium. The game against the Cincinnati-area club from USL League Two will serve as a warm-up for the pro team’s match at 7 p.m. against Loudoun United FC.
Riverhounds SC Academy lineup (4-4-2) — Dylan Janoski; Brock Martindale, Drew Kemper, Matty Lucas, Ryan Edwards; Gabe Norris; Ben Feinstein; Sam Farner; Caden Carpenter; Will Sangpachatanaruk, Wyatt Borso; Bench: Nick Cherry, Didi Flowers, Ethan Gregory, Oliver Daboo, Alex Hauskrecht, Luke Lenz, Milo Larson
Louisville City FC Academy lineup (5-2-3) — John Jeffus; Anthony Cano, Saladi Hussein, Sebastian Sanchez, Travis Smith, Owen Damm; Carlos Moguel, Matthew Johnson; Dino Hodzic, Hunter Sekelsky, Isaac Cano; Bench: Clayton Brooks, Jabari Rasheed, Charlie Christ, Damir Begonovic, Tyler Stinnett, Gavin O’Shea
