Riverhounds Lose to Blues at Home
Published on May 12, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Pittsburgh - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-5-0) lose to the Los Angeles Blues (3-2-1) Saturday night at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The Blues converted three goals in the second half to earn their second win in as many nights. Ricky Waddell, Bright Dike and Matt Fondy record goals for the Blues.
The game opened with the Riverhounds David Leon jumping a passing lane at the edge of the Blues' defensive third in the third minute. Leon's first touch troubled his marker and brought him one-on-one with the Blues goalkeeper Jose Miranda. Leon slid a left-footed shot past Miranda, but only to be denied by the right upright. The ball ricocheted back into the middle of the penalty area, but the Blues were able to clear their lines.
Five minutes later, Matt Kassel of the Riverhounds found himself all alone twenty-five yards away from goal. Taking a preparation touch towards goal, Kassel struck a hard right-footed shot on goal, but Miranda was in good position to collect the shot and deny Kassel of a goal.
The momentum started to shift in the favor of the Blues midway through the first half. The Blues received a handful of set pieces deep inside the Riverhounds defensive third. Allan Russell of the Blues served multiple quality balls that connected with the head of Dike. Each of Dike's headers were on target, but were denied by Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
Less than a minute into the second half, Waddell put the Blues up for good. Picking up a bouncing ball twenty-five yards from goal, Waddell connected cleanly on a half-volley the whistled into the top left corner of the goal.
Six minutes later, Fondy picked off a pass at midfield and played a ball in behind the Riverhounds defense. Fondy's pass brought Gilstrap outside of the penalty area to close down Dike. Beating Gilstrap to the ball, Dike lifted a right-footed shot over Gilstrap and into the back of the empty net to put the Blues up two.
Capping of the scoring for the Blues, Fondy slid a left-footed shot past Gilstrap in the 69th minute. Transitioning quickly into the attack, Dike found Fondy slashing down the left flank without a marker. Taking a touch to engage Gilstrap, Fondy confidently struck a low shot into the right side-netting.
The Riverhounds go back on the road for a mid-week showdown of the Keystone Derby. Traveling to Harrisburg for a Wednesday night game at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island, the Riverhounds and City Islanders will kickoff at 7:00 PM. The game will be streamed live on USLNATION.com.
The Blues have nearly two weeks off until their scheduled USL PRO contest. The Blues will square off with the Orlando City Lions on Thursday, May 24th at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Game time is set for a 7:30 PM kickoff.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 12, 2012
- Battery Falls to Rhinos - Charleston Battery
- Kickers Battle Harrisburg to 2-2 Draw - Richmond Kickers
- Riverhounds Lose to Blues at Home - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Blues Earn 1-0 Road Win at Dayton - Orange County SC
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