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FC Cincinnati

Ball Bounces FCC's Way in Win over 'Hounds; Host Charleston in First

September 24, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


PITTSBURGH, PA --- Sean Okoli hit the back of the net on a penalty kick in the 31st minute for the only score to give FC Cincinnati a 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh Riverhounds Sat. evening at Highmark Stadium.

The shutout was the fourth straight for an FCC side that went undefeated in the month of September with a 4-0-1 record and hosts Charleston Battery in the first round of playoffs on Sun., Oct. 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.

The penalty kick was awarded to the Orange and Blue after a high bouncing ball came off the grass and spun into Willie Hunt's arm, who was giving chase near the Pittsburgh goal.

Okoli, taking his sixth attempt from the spot, beat keeper Zack Steffen in the lower left corner to tuck away his 16th goal of the season and grab the USL lead.

The offensive buildup took time for both sides as the two teams traded possession often in the early part of the first period.

Kevin Kerr took a shot for the 'Hounds in the 20th minute, receiving a pass just outside of the six-yard box, but saw the shot blocked out for a corner kick.

Pittsburgh ramped up the offensive efforts midway through the first, earning a pair of corners and threatening the FCC goal. Sergio Campbell had a chance with a header off a short corner by the 'Hounds in the 24th minute but the defender was called offside.

FCC responded with a dangerous opportunity of their own as Jimmy McLaughlin found Andrew Wiedeman streaking through the box. The forward picked up the ball just in front of Steffen but his momentum carried him away from the goal, allowing the Pittsburgh defenders to get into position and block a left-footed attempt.

Edging Pittsburgh in shots, 3-2 in the first, FCC worked to control the time of possession in the second half. Opening the period by making their way aggressively into Pittsburgh territory, McLaughlin found Wiedeman in the 50th minute in front of the goal again but Wiedeman saw his shot bounce wide for the side's first chance in the half.

The Orange and Blue attacked again in the 54th minute off a free kick and Derek Luke took a shot from the left flank that caromed off the body of Steffen as the keeper made the save. Okoli followed shortly with a shot in the next minute that took a hard bounce off the chest of Steffen.

A Pittsburgh opportunity emerged in the 69th minute as Cristian Martinez came down with the pass from the midfield and tried to chip the ball over Hildebrandt. However, Martinez's attempt was aborted as Hildebrandt held his ground and reached up to make the play on the ball.

Finding himself unchecked just outside the six-yard box, Okoli had a chance for the brace in the 70th minute. Wiedeman served a ball to Okoli, who looked to put away an insurance goal, but his header popped up over the crossbar.

Sergio Campbell leapt up over a scrum in the FCC box as the 'Hounds tied to capitalize on a free kick in the 75th minute but Campbell's header mirrored Okoli's as his shot arced over the goal.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 24, 2016


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