Hounds Drop Season Finale 1-0 to FC Cincinnati
September 24, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-17-7) could not overcome a first half penalty from Sean Okoli, dropping their season finale 1-0 to FC Cincinnati (16-6-8) at Highmark Stadium.
Okoli's winner came after an unfortunate bounce caused defender Willie Hunt to cede a handball in the 31st minute. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen was able to guess correctly, diving to his right to stop Okoli's take, but the league-leading goal scorer placed the ball just out of Steffen's reach for his 16th goal on the season.
For the Hounds, they were able to sustain several bouts of solid possession throughout the match, but were unable to solve goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, who recorded his third clean sheet against the club this season.
Pittsburgh's best chance of the night came in the 69th minute, as midfielder Kevin Kerr lofted a beautiful ball to Cristian Martinez at the top of the 18. Martinez attempted to float the ball over Hildebrandt off the volley, but the Cincinnati keeper stood tall to collect the shot.
The Hounds now look to the offseason, closing the season on a strong stretch of defensive play that saw the club cede one goal or less in seven of their final nine games. For updates on all the happenings during the off months, visit Riverhounds.com.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds - Zack Steffen - Marshall Hollingsworth (Jordan Murrell 82'), Willie Hunt, Sergio Campbell, Mike Green - Lebo Moloto (Zak Boggs 80'), Stephen Okai (Nick Thompson 46') Kevin Kerr, Drew Russell (Jack Thompson 61') - Corey Hertzog, Chevaughn Walsh (Cristian Martinez 46')
Subs not used: Hunter Gilstrap, Alejandro Aguilar
FC Cincinnati - Mitch Hildebrandt - Austin Berry (Paul Nicholson 87'), Derek Luke, Harrison Delbridge, Tyler Polak - Kenney Walker, Corben Bone, Andrew Wiedeman - Eric Stevenson (Casey Townsend 71'), Sean Okoli (Ross Tomaselli 78'), Jimmy McLaughlin (Omar Mohamed 71')
Subs not used: Jaye Dallas, Evan Lee, Alvaro Ripoll
Misconduct Summary:
PGH - Corey Hertzog 36' (caution)
CIN - Tyler Polak 73' (caution)
Scoring Summary:
CIN - Sean Okoli 31' (penalty)
Quote Sheet:
Dave Brandt
On the match representing the season as a whole...
There has been some progression, but is it kind of microcosm of the season? Yeah, I think it felt that way. That being said, the back four has progressed a ton. It is hard to chase the game like that against a good team that's organized. But let's face it, and I'll just say it, I don't think they had much going on offensively either. To give away a bad penalty like that, that's what makes it feel like a microcosm of the season. At this point we are disappointed and we want to do better.
On the match's flow...
I thought it was similar to the last FC Cincinnati game - the exception of that one spinning ball that Willie didn't read for the penalty. Not as disappointed with our lack of rhythm, and with the inability to pass the ball. We're capable in the department, and I felt like that went, and I'm not sure why. But that didn't help our lack in flow.
On Corey Hertzog...
He always does that. That is just Corey 24/7. Heart of a lion, and the lungs of one too, because he just goes, and goes, and goes. Corey has had a great season, without a doubt. It is too bad he couldn't steal one at the end. He had a great season.
On what's next...
I think it will be a busy week for us right away. Evaluating, and meeting with players. Discussing what our moves are with everybody and everything. We do need an offseason for us to regroup at this point. And that starts right away.
On his first season with the club...
We're disappointed. We would like to deliver more ASAP as well. I think there has been progress. For me, I think you need to dig the roots down deep. When you're ready to grow and go, you've got those roots and foundation. I think in the end, we would have loved to have built the whole house this year, but it was good foundation work. We came a long way. We have a philosophy on and off the field that we are running with, and we will try to deliver on moving forward.
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