USL United Soccer League Championship

City Islanders Rally Past Riverhounds

April 15, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


PITTSBURGH - Jose Angulo scored the first goal in Highmark Stadium history, but the Pittsburgh Riverhounds were denied victory in front of a sellout crowd in their first game at their new soccer-specific stadium as the Harrisburg City Islanders rallied for a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. Sainey Touray and Lucky Mkosana each scored in the final 15 minutes for the City Islanders.

In a competitive first half, the City Islanders had a good opportunity in the 13th minute as Cris Hernandez sent a volley over the crossbar. Pittsburgh had moments of pressure too, but Hunter Gilstrap had to be sharp twice to deny Tom Mellor and Touray within three minutes of one another to keep the game scoreless.

Pittsburgh became more active in the second half, with their high pressure causing the City Islanders problems. Jhonny Arteaga came close to scoring the first goal in Highmark Stadium history, only for his shot to go just over the crossbar in the 58th minute. Soon after the City Islanders had an opportunity, Hernandez curling a free kick from 23 yards just over the crossbar.

The Riverhounds were able to take the lead with 20 minutes remaaining, however, as a fine cross from the right corner by Matt Dallman was met by Angulo. The former City Islander scored with his first touch of the game after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Arteaga then went close to adding a second, with Noble making a good save to deny him.

The City Islanders began their rally in the 77th minute as Touray used his pace to race past his man and into the penalty area before putting a low finish past Gilstrap. Harrisburg then stole all three points in the final minute as the Riverhounds were unable to clear defensively, and an angled cross by Hernandez found Mkosana for a finish from six yards out.

The Riverhounds hit the road Saturday as they visit the Dayton Dutch Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET. The City Islanders also return to action Saturday as they visit the Colorado Rapids Reserves at 9 p.m. ET.

WEDNESDAY

LOS ANGELES 1, ORLANDO 0: George Davis IV scored the only goal against his former team, and Carl Woszczynski put in a standout goalkeeping performance, as the Los Angeles Blues claimed victory against Orlando City on Wednesday evening at Titan Stadium.

Orlando had the better of the first half, and Woszczynski had to be sharp as he made seven saves in the first 45 minutes. Long Tan twice went close, as did Dom Dwyer, as the Lions put pressure on the Blues goal. Los Angeles' only real opportunity of the half came late on, Chris Cortez shooting wide after breaking into the left side of the penalty area.

The Blues began the second half more brightly, and were almost able to take advantage of a defensive mistake by Orlando, with former Lions midfielder Rodrigo Lopez just being beaten to a back-pass by Orlando's Jon Kempin. LA had other chances, with Cortez being denied by an outstanding challenge by Luke Boden at the top of the penalty area.

Orlando regained some control, and LA's Shay Spitz had to make a good clearance to deny an opportunity after Woszczynski had lost out after coming off his line. The Blues continued to create chances of their own, however, and with 10 minutes remaining Davis provided the breakthrough as he outpaced his marker to a ball over the top, rounded Kempin and finished into the open net.

Orlando almost equalized three minutes later as Dwyer turned his man well to give him a chance to run at goal, but his chipped finish cleared the crossbar as well as Woszczynski as the goalkeeper advanced off his line. That would be the Lions' last clear chance as the Blues took their second win of the season.

SATURDAY

RICHMOND 4, CHARLESTON 1: Casey Townsend scored his first two goals as the Richmond Kickers took victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night at City Stadium. One of Richmond's loan players from D.C. United, Townsend scored in either half to lead his side to victory as the defending USL PRO champions fell in their first game of the season.

The Battery created the first clear opportunity, with Nicki Paterson shooting wide from 20 yards in the fifth minute. Jose Cuevas then went close four minutes later, only for an off-balance shot to go just wide as the Battery broke in on goal.

It was the Kickers who took the lead, however, as Alex Lee chipped in an angled cross from the right side of the penalty area that Joseph Ngwenya flicked home, his looping header dropping just under the crossbar. The Kickers doubled their lead in the 32nd minute as Brian Ownby beat his man down the left and centered for Townsend, who finished from close range.

The Battery pulled a goal back just before halftime, Michael Azira playing a clever give-and-go with John Wilson to spring the veteran defender in for a good low finish, halving Charleston's deficit at the break. Dane Kelly then sent an effort just wide five minutes into the second half as the Battery tried to get back on even terms. Five minutes later Nicki Paterson went close, only for his effort to come back off the post.

The Kickers regained the upper hand midway through the second half as Townsend scored his second of the game, Stanley Nyazamba providing the set up. Richmond added a fourth late as Battery defender Cody Ellison was unfortunate to turn a corner by Sascha Goerres into his own net.

The Kickers remain at City Stadium Saturday as they host the Rochester Rhinos at 7 p.m. The Battery next host Antigua Barracuda FC in their home opener at Blackbaud Stadium Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

TAMPA BAY 3, ROCHESTER 0: VSI Tampa Bay FC won its home opener at Plant City Stadium, taking victory against the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night. Two rookies, Karamba Janneh and Douglas Dos Santos, found the back of the net for VSI as Rochester fell in its opening game of the season.

Both sides were able to create chances in the opening half, but it wasn't until the final minute that VSI was able to take the lead as Janneh found space to head home and give his side the lead. Shortly after the break, Tampa Bay doubled its advantage as Dos Santos matched his former Ocala Stampede teammate seven minutes into the second half, driving a fierce shot from the top of the penalty area into the top-left corner of the net.

Rochester had been one of the best defenses in USL PRO a season ago as it finished second in the regular-season standings, but it was breached again with just more than 15 minutes to go. Former Wilmington Hammerheads standout Andriy Budnyy produced the finish, capping Tampa Bay's second victory of the season.

Tampa Bay remains at home Sunday as its hosts the LA Blues at 6:30 p.m. ET.

CHARLOTTE 2, ANTIGUA 0: The Charlotte Eagles opened the season with a 2-0 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC on Saturday night at the Queens Soccer Complex. Nate Thornton opened the scoring in the first half before a late goal by Christian Ramirez sealed victory for the Eagles.

Antigua was aggressive to open the game, Lloyde Jeremy going close, but after a balanced opening 20 minutes Charlotte was able to gain the upper hand. The Eagles took the lead in the 27th minute as Thornton shrugged off his marker as they chased a long ball and was able to break into the penalty area, finishing powerfully.

The Eagles went close again before the halftime break when Ben Newnam had his effort from a corner cleared off the line, and Ramirez almost opened his professional account early in the second half, only for his shot to come back off the crossbar. Antigua tried to counter with its speed on the break, but the Eagles were able to put the game away with five minutes reamining as Ramirez scored his first goal in his professional debut.

Charlotte will remain at home Friday night as they host the Rochester Rhinos at 7 p.m. ET. Antigua also returns to action Friday, as it visits the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET.

SUNDAY

ORLANDO 3, ROCHESTER 1: Orlando City took a 3-1 victory against the Rochester Rhinos in a weather-delayed contest on Sunday night at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Long Tan, Dom Dwyer and Jamie Watson scored for the Lions as the Rhinos fell to their second defeat of the weekend.

The opening 10 minutes were even, and Rochester created the first good opportunity as Matt Luzunaris stole possession just inside the Lions' half, only for his curling shot from the top of the penalty area to be saved by Jon Kempin. Orlando's Kevin Molino went close a few minutes later, his low shot coming back off the right post after he broke in behind the defense.

Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht came up big in the 20th minute, denying Dwyer's header from eight yards with a sprawling save. The game then went into a pair of lightning delays that lasted 56 and 52 minutes respectively, with eight minutes of play between.

Following the delay, Orlando's Jamie Watson went close, forcing a good save from Nicht. The German goalkeeper also made a good initial stop on Dwyer in the final minute of the half, but Tan was on hand to finish off the rebound to lift the Lions into the lead at the break. Orlando then doubled its lead two minutes into the second half as Bryan Burke's low cross from the right was finished first-time by Dwyer.

Watson added a third for the Lions in the 62nd minute, squeezing a finish home after a scramble in the penalty area, and almost added a fourth as he sprang open at a corner, only for his header to be cleared off the line. Blake Brettschneider pulled back a consolation goal for the Rhinos in the 90th minute, but the Lions held on for a comfortable victory.

Orlando remains at home Friday night as it welcomes the LA Blues to the Florida Citrus Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET. Rochester moves on to face the Charlotte Eagles on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Queens Sports Complex.

LOS ANGELES 3, PHOENIX 1: The Los Angeles Blues took their second consecutive victory as a pair of early goals keyed a 3-1 victory against Phoenix FC on Sunday night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Nelson Pizarro and Cory Miller each scored in the opening 15 minutes as the Blues completed a season-sweep against the Wolves.

The Blues struck quickly, with Nelson Pizarro opening the scoring in the sixth minute as he finished a low cross by Matt Hall for his first goal of the season. Cory Miller doubled the advantage eight minutes later as he rose unmarked to head home a cross by Rodrigo Lopez.

Phoenix was without goalkeeper Andrew Weber and forward Darren Mackie, and was dealt another injury blow when Devon Grousis was forced out with an injury within the first half-hour. The Wolves were able to settle down, however, and began to find some menace in attack, Travis Bowen going close in the 28th minute, while Elliot Weber went close twice before the halftime break.

Phoenix continued to push to start the second half, and Blues goalkeeper Carl Woszczinksi had to make an excellent save to deny Diego Faria. The Blues were dangerous too, George Davis IV and Chris Cortez both having efforts well saved by Sheldon Parkinson less than a minute apart.

The Wolves continued to press, and their pressure finally told in the 68th minute as they won a free kick 25 yards from goal to the left of center. Scott Morrison curled his effort over the wall and just inside the left post, cutting the Blues' lead in half. Los Angeles was able to restore its two-goal advantage with 13 minutes remaining, though, as Sergio Ortiz scored two minutes after coming on as a substitute with a nice lifted finish over Parkinson.

Phoenix next faces Real Salt Lake Reserves next Monday, April 22 at 9 p.m. ET. The Blues continue their road trip with a visit to Florida as they face Orlando City on Friday night and VSI Tampa Bay on Sunday night.

RESULTS

Wednesday, April 10

Los Angeles 1, Orlando 0

Saturday, April 13

Charlotte 2, Antigua 0

Richmond 4, Charleston 1

Tampa Bay 3, Rochester 0

Harrisburg 2, Pittsburgh 1

Sunday, April 14

Orlando 3, Rochester 1

Los Angeles 3, Phoenix 1

SCHEDULE

Friday, April 19

Rochester at Charlotte, 7 p.m. ET

Los Angeles at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET

Antigua at Wilmington, 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, April 20

Rochester at Richmond, 7 p.m. ET

Antigua at Charleston, 7:30 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh at Dayton, 7:30 p.m. ET

Harrisburg at Colorado Reserves, 9 p.m. ET

Sunday, April 21

Los Angeles at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m. ET

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