Austin Scores Only Goal to Snap Hounds' Winning Streak
June 6, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC had its two-match winning streak snapped by Austin Bold FC, 1-0, at Highmark Stadium.
Collin Fernandez scored the lone goal for Austin Bold FC (2-2-1) just 55 seconds into the match. Although the Hounds (2-3-1) had 74 percent of possession and outshot Austin 10-4, they were only able to register one shot on target.
The Hounds held Austin without a shot in the second half, but the advantages in possession and territory.
First Half
The visitors got on the board just 55 seconds into the game, after Collin Fernandez received a ball laid back to him by Sean Okoli and scored with a volley from outside of the box.
The Hounds tightened up afterward, only allowing two more shots in the first 45 minutes. The Hounds dominated possession with 76.3 percent in the half, but were not able to tally a shot on target.
Their best chance came in the 40th minute, when Danny Griffin sent a low cross into the center of the penalty box to Alex Dixon. Dixon tried to play the ball between defenders, but Austin was able to clear despite loud protests from the Hounds for a handling call.
Second Half
Neither team notched a shot for the first 25 minutes of the second half. The Hounds pressed harder in the attacking half, though, earning two corner kicks in the first six minutes of the half.
Tommy Williamson registered the first shot of the half for either team in the 70th minute, when his header from the center of the penalty box missed to the left. He later recorded the first Hounds shot on goal when he made a good individual move and shot from the top of the box, but Austin goalkeeper Elliot Panicco didn't have to move far for the catch and save.
Another chance came when Anthony Velarde sent a free kick into the right side of the penalty box in the 77th minute, but the Hounds could not convert as the ball skimmed off a head and went across the face of goal.
Then, in the 81st minute, Jordan Dover sent in a cross to Russell Cicerone, whose header went high. The final chance came in the last minute of stoppage time, when Velarde got on the end of a ball lofted toward the net. However, Panicco came up with it after a collision between Velarde, a defender and himself, snuffing out the last opportunity.
Hounds Man of the Match
Tommy Williamson led the Hounds with three shots, including one on target. Though he didn't net a goal, he provided a spark off the bench that was missing through the game's first hour.
What's Next
The Hounds play their first-ever match against Atlantic Division opponent Miami FC (5-2-0) at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. The match will be shown on 22 The Point and streamed on ESPN+.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC lineup (3-4-3) - Danny Vitiello; Preston Kilwien (Todd Wharton 65'), Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams; Dani Rovira (Anthony Velarde 65'), Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin, Jordan Dover; Louis Perez (Russell Cicerone 45'), Albert Dikwa (Tommy Williamson 65'), Alex Dixon
Austin Bold FC lineup (4-4-2) - Elliot Panicco; Nick Hinds, Gustavo Rissi, Fabien Garcia, Amobi Okugo (Jermaine Taylor 86'); Omar Gordon (JJ Johnson 77'), Collin Fernandez (Omar Ciss 77'), Xavi Baez, Emilio Ycaza, Ates Diouf (Stefano Pinho 67'); Sean Okoli (Aldo Quintanilla 77')
Scoring Summary
ATX - Collin Fernandez 1' (Sean Okoli)
Discipline Summary
PIT - Mekeil Williams 48' (caution - unsporting behavior)
ATX - Amobi Okugo 75' (caution - unsporting behavior)
ATX - JJ Johnson 87' (caution - unsporting behavior)
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