PITTSBURGH (May 7, 2024) — A second deep run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup wasn’t in the cards for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, as a late goal by Phillip Goodrum gave FC Tulsa the victory in a Round of 32 match tonight at Highmark Stadium.
The Hounds started a different 11 from the team that started Saturday’s league win over Miami, but the changed lineup put in a strong effort in a match where both teams had chances.
Tulsa advances to face the winner between Union Omaha of USL League One and Sporting Kansas City of MLS in the Round of 16.
First half
The Hounds nearly got the early breakthrough from a pair of Tulsa miscues.
Babacar Diene nearly scored in the opening minute after forcing a turnover, but his effort was blocked away at close range. Emmanuel Johnson tried his luck from distance in the fifth minute, and his shot was mishandled by Tulsa goalkeeper Joey Roggeveen, going off his hands and through his legs but barely wide of goal.
Both teams settled into the match, with Tulsa having more of possession at 58.8 percent, but the Hounds getting a few more looks at goal with an 15-11 edge in shots — 9-4 in shots inside the box. The Hounds’ best moments came on the counter, with Johnson having a chance on 30 minutes after Diene played through a foul, while Nate Dragisich — making his first pro start — had the ball picked off his feet just before getting into the box with a late chance.
Second half
Tulsa nearly struck first with their own transition moment in the 56th minute, but Bradley Sample hustled back to slide the ball away from Goodrum before he could receive a pass 12 yards from goal. The visitors put the ball in the net from the ensuing corner kick, but Milo Yosef was offside on the final touch.
The Hounds had their own corner kick opportunity turned away when Pierre Cayet won a header at the back post, and Sample had a good chance turned save in the 74th minute after being set up by Junior Etou, who entered the match as a substitute.
But the deciding moment came in the 88th minute, when the Hounds were unable to clear a long throw-in. The ball bounced to Goodrum, and the former 20-goal scorer showed his quality with a shot powered into the far side of the net.
The match was the professional debut for Hounds goalkeeper Gabriel Perrotta, who made three saves, and center back Jake Lent-Koop, while Pittsburgh native Dragisich and fellow midfielder Aidan O’Toole made their first career starts.
Modelo Man of the Match
Pierre Cayet made his first start for the Hounds and turned in a sold center back performance, winning 3 of 4 tackles, 7 of 10 duels and leading the team with five clearances, in addition to his headed shot that was one of the Hounds’ best second-half chances.
What’s next?
The Hounds and Tulsa have a rematch — their only meeting this year in USL Championship play — at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Okla.
Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Gabriel Perrotta; Langston Blackstock, Pierre Cayet, Jake Lent-Koop, Sean Suber; Bradley Sample, Jackson Walti; Emmanuel Johnson (Junior Etou 59’), Nate Dragisich (Danny Griffin 59’), Aidan O’Toole (Robbie Mertz 89’); Babacar Diene (Edward Kizza 79’)
FC Tulsa lineup (4-2-3-1) — Joey Roggeveen; Patrick Seagrist (Boubacar Diallo 66’), Bradley Bourgeois, Rashid Tetteh (Blaine Ferri 87’), Harvey St. Clair; Justin Portillo, Aaron Kacinari (Sebastian Sanchez 46’); Milo Yosef (Alex Dalou 87’), Phillip Goodrum, Camilo Ponce; Diogo Pacheco (Stefan Stojanovic 75’)
Scoring summary
TUL — Phillip Goodrum 88’ (Alex Dalou)
Discipline summary
TUL — Rashid Tetteh 30’ (caution – tactical foul)
TUL — Phillip Goodrum 89’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
TUL — Camilo Ponce 90+1’ (caution – dissent)
TUL — Harvey St. Clair 90+9’ (caution – delaying restart)
